Described as the perfect prescription for Port lovers since 1979, Prager Ports Works in Napa has been family owned and operated for three generations. Of the third generation, John Prager, along with six siblings, comes from a legacy of not only fine port purveyors, but long-time supporters of the OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition. John’s father, James Prager, was one of the original judges of the competition for 25 years and John, now following in his father’s footsteps, has been one of our judges for, what will be this year, 15 years. Recently I had an opportunity to chat with John about Prager Port Works, the OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition and the current condition of the wine industry as a whole.
When asked about what he would tell wineries about entering the commercial competition, John was quick to say “Enter your wines, Californians. Enter it. It is inexpensive, as the cost to enter is just 6 bottles of wine. It’s one of the oldest competitions in the state judging your wines. Before Spectator and all the others, they were the original. Come on in. You won’t regret it.”
Reminding John that this year is our 50th Anniversary, he emphatically reassured me that he has all intentions of continuing to judge the most prestigious competition of California wines by saying, “I love that the competition keeps making changes as needed and looks to the judges for advice and input. There are nice changes in the tasting and things are always run professionally and kept current.”
When asked what the best aspects of the wine business are for him, he laughingly shared that “It’s not a bad lifestyle to make alcohol and pair food with it and make a living at it. That’s fun in itself. People just love the camaraderie, and I get to meet people from all over the world. I never get tired of it. After 46 years, it’s always interesting and everything comes easier today because I’ve been doing it for such a long time. As long as my dad was doing it. It’s what I know.”
And, lastly, when talking about the current state of the wine industry, John said, “It’s certainly changed over the years and it’s not particularly easy these days. Today’s industry environment is somewhat of a waiting game. We’re trying to get more noticed on mass media, which seems to be the direction we need to go. It’s really difficult to know what direction to go these days. There are definitely different challenges in the industry today like us needing to attract new white wine drinkers and, somehow, making wine more approachable.”
Having been to Prager Port Works any number of times over the past 25 years, I can tell you from personal experience, that there is no more approachable winery than Prager nor finer ports to be found anywhere. With walls covered in currency from around the world stapled on by visitors, along with ribbons and plaques attesting to the caliber of their award-winning wines, and only family tending the business, the Prager tasting room, tucked away along Hwy. 128 near St. Helena in Napa is a welcoming warm hug and one not to missed.
—Fran Gitsham