Orange Spotlight: Darms Lane

We're turning the orange spotlight on successful OSU alumni to share their experiences and expertise with the Cowboy Family!

Join us for this month's Orange Spotlight is with OSU alumni Larry Bump, owner of Darms Lane Winery, and his daughter, Tricia Bump, general manager of the winery, who will lead us through a tasting of three of their signature wines!

Wines for the Tasting: 

• 2018 Darms Lane Chardonnay Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley
• 2018 Darms Lane Pinot Noir Russian River Valley of Sonoma
• 2016 Darms Lane Bon Passe Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

You can purchase these wines online in a tasting pack and get $10 off with special coupon code: GOPOKES. Click here to download the tasting notes. Tasting packs cannot be shipped to Utah, Virginia, or Mississippi or New Hampshire. 

Darms Lane wines are distributed in the following states: Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C. and Colorado. To find a location closest to you, please visit darmslanewine.com. 

About the Darms Lane

Darms Lane Vineyard is located in the southwestern bench lands of Napa Valley. The vineyard was established 26 years ago as a Chardonnay estate. In 2008 we changed our name from Crichton Hall Vineyard to Darms Lane Vineyard in order to better identify our physical location. The 14 acre vineyard was replanted in 2002 & 2003 with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. We are a family owned and operated boutique vineyard located in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. Our 2005 vintage was the inaugural release of our estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon.

About Larry Bump

It was back in the early '90s that Larry stumbled upon the property – at that time it was called Crichton Hall Vineyard and was famous for its chardonnay. Seduced by the beauty of the site and the opportunity to become part of one of natures’ complete cycles, he decided to become one of the many partners in the project. His interest grew during the time he spent understanding the property and the complexities of the wine business.

In early 2000, the vineyards needed to be completely replanted. Many of the partners shied away but by then, Larry and his family felt a deep connection to the property and took on the challenge. By 2002, they were sole owners of the 50 acre property that had 14 acres planted mostly with Bordeaux varietals and Chardonnay.

When asked about a more than 20-year love story with the place that is Darms Lane, Larry still seems mesmerized. “There is something unique about this secluded property, a tiny island in a corner of a vast valley. Those few acres carry an older story where valley floor, steep hills, ancient oak trees and young vines all live in harmony. There is a sense of balance and peace here at Darms Lane, a gift from Mother Nature that my family and I appreciate and love to share with those that are interested.”

Larry is a 1964 OSU accounting graduate and was inducted into the OSU Spears School of Business Hall of Fame in 1992 and the OSU Alumni Hall of Fame in 2004.

About Tricia Bump Davis

Tricia is the youngest daughter of owner Larry Bump. She graduated from OSU in 1994 with a degree in management information systems and worked as a computer programmer in Dallas and in Denver before being lured to California to work with her family in the wine business.

Tricia is the General Manager for the winery, walking the vineyards with the Vineyard Manager and participating in the blending session to craft the wine. If you call, chances are, she will answer the phone while entering orders for export to Japan... this is a family business, and she wears multiple hats!

When asked about her favorite aspects of the business, she answers: “I really enjoy working on all the steps along the way of grape growing and wine making that culminate with a bottle of wine that people will enjoy with friends and family. The idea that all our hard work becomes part of special moments in people’s lives through the enjoyment of our wine is very rewarding to me.”

Tricia lives in the Napa Valley with her husband Stan and her two sons Jake and Sawyer. When not working, she loves traveling and exploring new places. She does admit still being a geek, trying all the new gadgets, looking for the next new thing.