About Nova Winegrape Brokers
Meet Our Brokers
Jim Smith | Tom Ramey

Jim Smith
Owner and Broker

Jim grew up in Sonoma County, surrounded by grapes and vineyards. Breathing in the scent of grapes and the life of a grower everyday, Jim understands the wine grape industry from the inside out.

Jim started in the Winegrape industry in the mid '90s, farming the family's Old Vine Zinfandel Vineyard that was planted in the mid 1960s. Jim has done all the duties on the vineyard from pruning to finding a buyer for his own grapes. He has tried his hand at winemaking and quickly realized that it is better left to the winemakers. He was voted the "2003 Lake County Winegrape Grower of the Year," and is currently serving on the board of the Lake County Winegrape Commission and on the marketing committee.

Jim discovered there was a need for a liaison between the "Growers" and the "Wineries." After assisting many fellow growers to find homes for their fruit, Nova Winegrape Brokers was established.

Grapes being shipped to one of fifteen states.

Jim has a reputation of being a straight shooter. Some of the most reputable Winemakers in Northern California confidently look to Jim to help find their fruit. Fellow growers also appreciate all the time and effort that is put into seeing that the match is right for both parties involved. He does this by pairing together Winemakers and Growers based on quality of fruit, pricing and quantity.

Jim lives on the vineyard with his wife Jill and two boys, Jonathan and Jared. When Jim is not farming or brokering he also sells grapevines and olive trees for NovaVine Grapevine Nursery. He enjoys the farming life and spends his off time fishing, coaching baseball and discussing life with family and friends.

Contact Jim Now!

Tom Ramey
Southwest Territories Broker
Texas, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Colorado

In order to better serve our customers throughout the country, we've opened an office in Pagosa Springs, CO! Manned by Tom Ramey, this office will cover the Southwest Territories of the United States.

Tom has been a rep for Nova Grapevine Nursery for the last four years, so we thought it would be a perfect fit to bring him on board as a broker! Having grown up in California amidst vines and wine, Tom is well suited for this position with a lifelong knowledge of the business.

Tom, along with his brother and sister were born and raised in Lakeport (Lake County) which is located in Northern California. The family settled there in 1921.

Tom says, "On a road trip in the 1980s with my father, I first 'experienced' Pagosa Springs, Colorado. I knew Pagosa was the place I wanted to raise my children and moved here in 1999. My son, who still lives here, loves extreme snowboarding and is my flyfishing partner."

Tom Ramey

Contact Tom Now!

 

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