A Friendly Endeavor

Making quality wine that the public enjoys is obviously one of – if not the main priority for a commercial winemaker.

But for some, like Vinos Unidos co-founder Bob Jauregui, giving back to the community and embracing the twists and turns of the journey can be as equally rewarding.

It also doesn’t hurt to get your grapes from the most prestigious and recognizable wine regions in the United States.

“Napa by itself is a brand,” Jauregui said. “It’s a door opener.”

The former assistant high school principal best described his venture into the winemaking world seven years ago as an accident and clearly a blessing. His connections were straight from some of Napa’s elite wineries – Opus One, Caymus – and Artesa Cellarmaster Gerry Martinez shared the same passion that eventually led them to co-found Vinos Unidos.

“Gerry knew the process and saw other people do it,” Jauregui said. “We made as many connections as we could and asked them what to do, what they would do different and how to market the wines. We knew we had an inside track to a lot of good fruit.”

Their first venture was a 2018 Atlas Peak rose. The wine was entered into a rose-only competition at a steakhouse in Irvine and it took the top prize. Jauregui knew then that it just wasn’t family and friends who liked their wine.

Although all of the grapes are sourced from Napa and Sonoma, Vinos Unidos – United Wines – is based in Mission Viejo. The name “evokes sitting down with people, sharing stories with one another over a glass of wine,” Jauregui said.

The label also is a touching and sentimental feature. Two friends have an arm around one another as if they are on a walk or sharing a special moment.

The people who drink Vinos Unidos wines are “on a journey with us,” Jauregui humbly notes. While the winery is still relatively small, word of mouth or as Jauregui puts it “liquid to lips” is helping Vinos Unidos grow. He credits family and friends for helping the winery stay afloat during the pandemic.

A big part of the winery’s identity is through the owners’ Hispanic heritage. Both Bob and Gerry’s fathers were from Jalisco, Mexico, and Gerry’s dad worked the vineyards in Napa after the family moved there. Bob says they have been inspired by Hispanic-run wineries like Ceja and Maldonado vineyards, both located in the Napa Valley, which infuse their culture and knowledge into their wines.

“I think we are starting to get some traction,” Jauregui said. “We know the winemaking side very well.”

Bob and Gerry also recognized the importance of supporting the community. They often pour their wines at corporate events, fundraisers, holiday parties and other festive celebrations. They have given donations for a scholarship to three colleges for students majoring in enology, viticulture and culinary arts. Last year, they donated wine, their time or wine tasting certificates to 19 different charity and nonprofit events.

“We are paying it forward and seeing what happens,” he said. “We try to get out there and support different organizations.”

You can say it’s the best of both worlds for Vinos Unidos. They get their fruit from Napa and Sonoma and call home to one of the largest wine markets – Orange County – in the nation.

Jauregui said they recently finished bottling six wines – two roses, two Pinot Noirs, a Sauvignon Blanc and a red blend. The goal is to produce about 2,500 cases and still remain a small winery with ardent supporters.

Their wine club has some unique features: they offer barrel tastings to members so they get to see how the wine evolves over time. There are quarterly tastings, a behind-the-cellar tour and lessons about the history and science of wine.

If the results from the competitions the winery enters are any indication, the good fortune will continue for Bob and Gerry. Each wine in their portfolio has won a medal.

“We want to be a winery that people know and love and look forward to tasting what we make,” Jauregui said. “It’s about having a following where you really get to connect with people.”