Jeremy Lopez, a Marine veteran, worked in American embassies around the world. His specific task was opening and closing the embassies each day, always being mindful of security issues in some countries.
Joe Judge, a member of Sonoma County Farm Bureau and a leader in the county’s wine industry, said because Lopez had shouldered that level of responsibility he had no qualms about putting him in charge of frost protection when he and his wife had to travel to visit an ailing family member. Lopez stayed in the family home, sleeping next to the frost alarm and moving into action when temperatures dipped below freezing.
“It was the first time in nine years that we were able to leave the vineyard during frost season. And it was because of the diligence of ex-soldier Jeremy Lopez,” said Judge.
This season, Jeremy is back, helping Joe with his frost protection preparation. He was originally attracted to working on Joe’s vinyard by his friend, Matt Mcclure, a fellow Marine veteran who served in combat in Iraq. Matt now runs his own farm – Shooting Star – with his partner, Lily Schneider.
