The new face of Leer Vineyards
Leer Vineyards, locally famous for great wines and spectacular events at their Byer Road location on the Byron/Discovery Bay border, has been sold. The new owners? Discovery Bay locals, Ric and Michelle Campos – a locally involved couple who raised their children in this community and continue to keep the needs of this community at the forefront of their plans.
The Campos family took ownership of the vineyard from Stephan and Tanisha Leer in early June. The Leers will move ahead to a new project in another city but have spent the last five months preparing Ric and Michelle to take over the estate and the many business operations there.
At a time when many couples who own a successful business (as this couple does) might be looking at retiring, Michelle Campos says, “We are re-firing, not retiring!” Meaning that they are ready to launch into this new project, take on this vineyard and take it another step further in it’s growth.
What won’t change? Great wine – look out for some exciting new blends, Friday-Sunday tasting hours, Friday Night Wine Down events, exciting community events and great music close to home, baseball in the dream field, and family friendly events year-round.
The Campos’ want to be good stewards of the property and the quality brand they are assuming; “When we come here, we feel peace and we want to share that with people,” said Mrs. Campos, ” We want this to be a place where families can come to relax and take a time out.”
What will change? The main barn/inside meeting space will be redesigned by SDG Architects to provide a larger, 700-person occupancy event and meeting center, complete with commercial restroom access. In fact, there will be significant facility improvements throughout the property. Also, Leer Vineyards (under a new name to be announced soon) will be joining the CoCo Wine Association and establishing local partnerships with Contra Costa wineries and vineyards to bring more experiences to more people in our community. Local winemaker, Tom Bloomfield, will manage the vineyard.
“God gave me a vision,” said Ric Campos. “It led us down this path and we continued to pursue it until a door closed – but it never did. Proud members of the Freedom House church, the Campos’ hope that their vineyard will help to unite their community.
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