John Grogan took early retirement from Cisco then opened his winery
Published in the February 18-March 3, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Robert Airoldi
John Grogan at his Sunlit Oaks Winery site in Gilroy.
Photo by Robert Airoldi
Gently rolling, oak-studded hills provide the perfect backdrop for John and Rita Grogan’s newly established Sunlit Oaks Winery and tasting room. This tranquil place off Pacheco Pass east of Gilroy has become a favorite spot where wine lovers stop for a chance to discover this South Valley winery’s award-winning vino.
A former Silicon Valley engineer, Grogan, 56, has always had a passion for winemaking that came to fruition when he opened Sunlit Oaks Winery in 2013. He and his wife – who continues to work as a director at Mission College and helps out with the wineries finances – have transformed their 30-acre family ranch purchased in 1999 into a winery, tasting room and vineyard, producing a variety of remarkable wines that appeal to anyone.
After he was offered an early retirement package from San Jose-based Cisco Systems in 2011, the couple “decided to take the plunge and start the winery,” Grogan said. “I was hesitant at first because I knew how much work it is. But now I’ve reinvented myself.”
Sunlit Oaks now grows five varietals, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir and Moscato – its best seller – that has “just a hint of sweetness to it and lot of people like that,” he said.
Born in Indiana and raised in Illinois, Grogan earned his electrical engineering degree from Purdue University. He had a brother living in Mountain View and wanted to work in the high-tech industry so it was “kind of like a no brainer to move here,” he said.
He worked at several other places before being hired by Cisco where he worked for 17 years before retiring.
Starting the winery was a eye-opening experience, he admitted.
“The biggest surprise was the cooperation between the vintners,” Grogan said of starting and operating a winery. “I really didn’t expect to be actively helped with information and equipment. There is a strong community of vintners working to promote this area as a wine destination.”
He had been making wine since the 1980s as an amateur, then met people who helped him improve. He took classes at the University of California, Davis, and read books to further improve his skills. The most important lesson he learned was to fail small. “Doing is the most important and best teacher,” he said.
His simple philosophy now is: “Good fruit and good principles can create a pretty good product…. But it’s a quantum leap from making a barrel to opening a winery.”
Grogan grows his fruit on a single acre on his property right now and buys some grapes from other vineyards. Start small and figure out what works, he said.
This fall he hopes to produce his first estate grown Cabernet from the 800 or so vines he planted. And all the plants in the landscaping are native.
“We have 17 species that have staggered blooming times in spring, summer and fall,” he said. “We are committed to sustainable agriculture and wine making.”
And it seems Grogan’s winery is well on its way to achieving recognition for the quality of its wines. His Sangiovese won the gold medal at the Consumer Wine Awards in Lodi last spring.
One of the things he enjoys the most is chatting about his wines with people who come in for a tasting.
“People are always happy when they’re wine tasting,” he said. “It’s really cool to talk to them about our wines. That’s one of the great things about this area. When you go wine tasting here, you can usually meet the wine maker. In Napa? Highly unlikely.”
Grogan encourages visitors to bring a picnic lunch and relax at one of the many wood tables that overlook the valley. From there they can enjoy a vista panoramic view from Hollister to San Martin.
“A lot of people bring a picnic and while away the afternoon sipping wine and eating,” he said.
