Chaim Gur-Arieh may be the owner of C.G. Di Arie Vineyard in Plymouth, but he didn’t take the most conventional route to becoming a winemaker. His family moved from Turkey to Israel when he was 12 years old, and he originally thought he would pursue a career in the Israeli army. One day, however, a tank near him was hit, and the explosion permanently damaged his hearing. This near-death experience made him rethink his career. Although originally a high school dropout, he went back to the drawing board (or, more aptly put, the chalkboard)—graduating from a university in Israel with a bachelor of science in chemical engineering, and then traveling to the U.S. to receive his PhD in food science. He later became a respected food science engineer and inventor, helping to develop Cap’n Crunch and many other food products. He and his wife, Elisheva, eventually founded their own flavor company, which they sold in 1998 in order to fulfill a shared dream of owning a winery.

Chaim with his 

wife Elisheva

Gur-Arieh and his wife also give back by regularly donating proceeds of wine sales to Capital Stage and the local NPR station. In addition, they recently created a red blend called Mixed Breed, the proceeds of which support local animal shelters. At the winery, they offer free classes one Saturday a month as a way to educate people on all the varied, high-quality vintages that can be produced in the Sierra foothills. For Gur-Arieh, now in his 80s, it’s all a labor of love. “I make wine that gives me pleasure, and hopefully it will give pleasure to others,” he shares.  

What advice would you give to your younger self?
Be more patient and empathetic, listen more closely, and take time to make decisions.

What's your biggest peeve?
Wine snobbery—or any snobbery for that matter. I believe that wine should be consumed for pleasure and not for economic positioning; it is to be shared and celebrated.

Favorite Humanitarian Cause?
Education and giving back to the community—whether it’s giving to the needy or helping animal shelters..

Best words of wisdom you’ve received?
Words my father used to say: “Never act out of fear; only act out of knowledge.”

Escape
Playing the accordion

Guilty pleasures
Cheese and wine 

Local landmark
Crocker Art Museum

Movie
Lion

Musician/band
David Bowie

Saying
“The only true wisdom is knowing that you know nothing.”—Socrates

By Amber Foster // Photos by Dante Fontana © Style Media Group