GROWERS PROFILE
Tony Bugica
For the Love of Farming
Tony Bugica is the Director of Farming and Business Development for Atlas Vineyard Management. He is part of the 4th generation of a farming family and he takes great pride and care in being a farmer, and promoting sustainable winegrowing.
Tony Bugica of Atlas Vineyard Management is the 4th generation of a multi-generational farming family. After college, Tony set off in a new direction, starting his own business, Bugica Landscaping & Excavation. There, he managed over 120 employees, including supervising over 500 residential and commercial properties in the Reno and Tahoe area.
Over the years, Tony’s company was recognized with many awards and achievements for his exceptional work, making him one of the top landscaping contractors in the area.
“I love the Outdoors and watching things grow.”
As much as he loved his career and the Tahoe/Reno area, Sonoma County was calling to him. His love of wine and food, the beautiful views and the picture-perfect location led him to the area. When Tony arrived, he began working as the Ranch Manager for Dry Creek Olive Company, inching him closer to the wine industry. From there he went to work for Grey Creek Vinicultural Services selling vines. He credits this position with helping him grow a great deal in his career. Tony enjoyed working in vineyards so much that his next move was to join Bacchus Vineyard Management, a role he held for seven years, managing over 1,000 acres of vineyards across Sonoma County.
“I like to say that I graduated from the school of ‘Hard Knocks and Common Sense’”
Continuing his passion for wine and agriculture, Tony began making wine in 1993, which helps him maintain the farming family tradition, and keeps him familiar with the wines that come from the vineyards he farms. Today, Tony is the Director of Farming and Business Development for Atlas Vineyard Management, overseeing vineyards in Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino Counties. Atlas farms over 3,000 acres of wine grapes.
Tony sits on the Board of Directors for Sonoma County Winegrowers and serves his local community as President for the Geyserville Chamber of Commerce. He lives in Sonoma County with his amazing wife, Monica and three wonderful children, Morgan (22), Mateo (19) and little Prima (5). He is confident that both his daughters will work in farming one day.
During our conversation, we also asked the Tony a couple fun questions:
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I’ve always thought farming was the best career around. As a kid, I loved tractors, plants and dirt.
What is your favorite part of farming?
I love watching the entire process of a growing season, seeing it in its entirety. Pruning season feels like a new beginning and I enjoy it straight through to the beautiful finale of harvest.
If you weren’t a farmer, what career would you choose?
I would farm no matter what. But if I had to choose another path, I would love to become a yoga instructor and / or a meditation teacher. Or I would be a hunting and fishing guide!
