Summit Lake Vineyards: Vintner Bob Brakesman

Unique experiences are vast in Napa Valley, but none more so than Summit Lake Vineyards and Winery.  The property consists of a few outbuildings and the Brakesman home, built in the 1800’s. In the spring and summer, you will taste right in the vineyards, under a large shady oak tree. In rainy or cold weather, at the kitchen table. Regardless of when you taste the experience is one of a kind.  This is a family run operation, now becoming a rarity in Napa. The people of Summit Lake Vineyards are gracious, friendly and unpretentious.  The location is serene and peaceful. It’s a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Downtown Napa.

At 25 years old, Bob Brakesman was looking to build a life for him and his wife.  He had just graduated from college and wanted to move north out of San Jose. He’d been looking for a while, but Napa’s prices, even in those days were expensive.  Brakesman received an inheritance key to his future. It would pave the way for his wife and family and their life in the vineyards. This is the story of Summit Lake Vineyards beginning.

There’s a little run down ranch in Angwin. I said, “What is Angwin?!”

Listen in as we hear Bob’s adventure in wine and how he surprised his wife with their new life on Howell Mountain and his history from his time at Freemark Abbey in the early days, to the harvest parties rivaling Burning Man in the 70’s.