Laurita Winery

Open: Year-Round

About the Winery:

The name Laurita derives from the first names of owners Randy Johnson's and Ray Shea's mothers, Laura and Rita, to whom the winery is dedicated.

Production focuses on making wines from grapes that are recognized and accepted worldwide, concentrating on the Vinifera, the classic European noble varieties. From 1998 through 2000, the first 20 acres of Chardonnay, Cabernet and Merlot were planted; in 2002 the second 20 acres of vineyards received the cuttings for the Pinot Gris, Lemberger, Chambourcin, Norton and Zweigelt. The first harvest and bottling was of the Merlot and Chardonnay in 2003.

Laurita, with its structure and interior built mostly from recycled or reclaimed materials, is also an eco destination. The skeleton of the building, which dictated the size of the winery which is 20,000 square feet, was formed through the merging of two 150 year old barns that had been destined for demolition. The winery utilizes solar systems to produce clean energy for heat, hot water, steam, cooling and refrigeration.