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From Crowns to Corks
Mosby, D.M.D. Retires to Devote More
Time to Winemaking
| Buellton, CA. William (Bill)
Mosby, D.M.D., announced his retirement from dentistry after 42 years of service in
Lompoc, California, to devote more time to winemaking. In addition to his dental practice,
Mosby has been a full-time winemaker in Santa Barbara county specializing in fine Italian
varietal wines since the mid-1970s. Now retired, Mosby devotes all of his time to his
passion for winemaking from his Santa Ynez valley estate and vineyards in Buellton.Born and raised in Klamath Falls, Oregon, Bill Mosby decided on a career
in dentistry at an early age. "When I was in High School, someone made the mistake of
telling me I’d never make it to dental school," Bill explains. "I took it
as a challenge. I wanted to be a dentist." Mosby, a rebellious High School
State Wrestling Champion, went on to Oregon State University where he twice earned the
Pacific Coast Champion wrestling title before entering dental school. |
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Mosby continued to meet many
challenges head on and with much success. In 1959, Bill and wife Jeri Mosby arrived in
Lompoc, California, where Bill opened his own dental office. Four years later, he built
the Mosby Medical Center and relocated his office to the new building.
The Mosbys’ love of the land
and Bill’s fascination with the alchemy of fermentation fueled the family’s
interest in winemaking. "It began as a hobby," says Jeri, "but by the early
eighties our wine was winning serious awards and Bill was expanding the vineyards to
include more of the Italian varietals." The growing popularity of Cal-Ital wines has placed Mosby at the leading edge
of this growing trend in the wine industry. Mosby Sangiovese
and Nebbiolo wines—both of which are difficult grapes
to cultivate successfully—have continued to gain significant international acclaim.
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Several California winemakers
tried to discourage Mosby’s passion for the temperamental Italian varietal wines
because they knew of the inherent cultivation difficulty and terroir
sensitivity of these particular grapes. As with his youthful determination to become a
dentist, their insistence, not surprisingly, only fueled his determination. After
realizing much success with Pinot Noir—another difficult grape—he set out to
learn all he could about the intriguing Italian varietals. Mosby now grows and produces
some of the best Italian varietal wines outside of Italy. |
And soon he will add two Rhone
varietals to the Mosby collection: Syrah and Mourvedre from son Mike’s vineyards in
Monterey County. Son Gary’s Chimeré Winery in Santa Maria produces Pinot Noir and
Chardonnay. Another great family tradition of fine winemaking is born—from Santa
Barbara to Monterey counties.
When visiting the Mosby winery, look
for the happily retired dentist wearing a worn red beret while carefully inspecting grapes
in his vineyards. When you see him, don’t hesitate to wave hello. The Mosby Winery is located off Highway 101 and Santa Rosa Road in
Buellton, California. The tasting room is open seven days per week.
Reprint
of Mosby Press Release Thursday, Oct. 8, 1998
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