About Us

Laraneta Family Photos

Here are some family photos. They are a bit disorganized - as some photo collections are. Laraneta is a family business so we thought you'd like to meet the family.

Melinda on the tracktor attacking the weeds before planting of the grapes in, Spring 1999. Honey Oak House is in the background on the left.

Joe on the tractor in Spring, 1999, perparing ground for the planting of the olive trees. You can see the old Eucalyptis Trees that once lined the drive and the newly staked rows are in the background. 

Melinda and Joe Laraneta stepping out. New Year's Eve 1999 with Peaches, who was only 5 months old. 

Ron and Victoria with Enzo, May 2005.

Our first vintage, 2005.

 Melinda with Grandson's Joey and Enzo on their way to the Griffith Park Observatory, 2007.

 Joey and Enzo, summer 2007.

 Daphne and Amanda at Holloween, 2007. Trick or Treat!

 Daughters and Granddaughters Summer 2008: from left, Kinzie, Andrea, Amanda, Daphne.

S Amanda and Kinzie on the porch, Summer, 2008.

 Joe on the line with Kevin Riley at our first bottling, November 20, 2008.

 Melinda watching the labeled and foiled bottles run by on the conveyor inside the bottling truck, Nov 20, 2008.

 A view of our vineyards looking out from the porch off the kitchen. The harvest is over and the vines are turning into all the colors of fall.

Laraneta Vineyard Manager

Lee Alegre
The heart of any winery program is the vineyards. At Laraneta we believe that the grapes make the wine, and it is the vineyards that provide the grapes. So to us, our Vineyard Manager is a very important person.

Lee Alegre has been managing our vineyards since our beginnings. He is ultimately responsible for the quality of the grapes produced and indirectly the wine. He began his career in 1998, just as we were planting our vineyards and has guided them into the production of some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sangiovese to be found anywhere in the world.

 The grapes are ripening toward harvest in the summer heat.

Lee graduated from Cal Poly with a Degree in Crop Science. He brings his knowledge and love of farming to each vineyard he manages, including ours. His reputation for personalized service and commitment to the vines and his clients is well known and valued as are his farming practices. His knowledge of the vines and their environment at pruning and early growth periods is invaluable as any winemaker or vineyard owner will attest to.

Along with working hand in hand with Laraneta Vineyards to grow high quality fruit, he works with our winemaker to meet the specific Brix, TA and Ph levels requested. His good humor, flexibility and experience are appreciated by all who work with him. His attention to detail and determination to see that “his” vines produce the very best crop possible make him indispensable.

A view of our vineyards after harvest, 2005. The Sangiovese block is directly ahead, the Merlot off to the right. In the distance you can see our olive trees (upper left) and the hills of Atascadero in the background.

One of our spectacular Central Coast sunsets seen from the front porch of Honey Oak House.