My Journey

What does a wine lover, art collector and avid traveler do when presented with future plans to move across the globe, to South Africa, to be exact? Well, for the owner/wine-maker of Orange Boots Wine, Felecia Hodges, it was a no-brainer; she’d of course put her graduate degree to work and become an art consultant. However when told by her (then) Significant Other, that buying acreage was in the plan she quickly changed her mind, regrouped and decided, “It’s time to push the envelope and learn something new.”

That something new was wine making. Holding a baggie filled with grapes from her property’s “one” vine, and looking to buy a wine making kit, she inquired at a local wine making supply store about the varietal and the process. The result: the grape was a basic table grape and a wine making kit would be substituted with kitchen utensils, a shared winemaking recipe with the store owners’ ear available when needed. 

As you can imagine, that years production was not so impressive, however the challenge was on. The following years up until 2021, Felecia identified as a home-winemaker. The grapes were sourced through Custom Crush Winery in Camarillo, CA., and covered the gambit in varietals, twelve, to be exact. From her first wine that was Petite Verdot, “I had no idea it was mainly a blending grape” to Malbec, Sangiovese, Tannat and others, Felecia has remained focused on California varietals.

Felecia Hodges in her Orange Boots

Why "Orange Boots"

As we passed each other in the parking lot, our eyes met and conveyed “Good morning.” Seconds later I heard “Love the boots.” My response, “Thanks, they’re working boots.” Her response, “That’s why I love them.”

I’m often asked about the origins of my winery’s name,
ORANGE BOOTS WINE. Some ask which came first the Orange Boots or the Wine. Well, it was both, all built on purpose: protection from the rain that Southern California had been receiving and being told by the winery owner, John Daume, that no-skid footwear was needed when coming to the crush at the winery.

Purpose

Now imagine this, inside a winery, there are 10-13 people sorting grapes on a sorter. The make-up is mainly men, ages 35-60, all seasoned winemakers, and it’s my first year sourcing grapes. The winemakers are emailed a week in advance with the date of their grape’s arrival time and instructions for retrieving them. We all partake in assisting each other along with sorting the grapes. Everyone brings their prior year’s bottled wine and bites, lots of fun! At my second grape pick-up, Petite Verdot, I was asked what would I name my wine. I’m baffled but quickly realize they are serious. So, on the sorting line, potential winery names began. I’m a classic movie lover so I’m sharing names such as Harold & Maude, Giant, and Mendacity (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof).

... and Identity

Someone then shared, “Last week after seeing you I went home and told my Wife, there was a chick at the winery with these amazing orange boots”. The lightbulb came on and off I went! I arrived home and quickly shared with my other half. We took image after image and finalized what you have before you. Images were shared with a friend and his magic graphics were delivered!

The purpose of my orange boots has been synonymous with how I have approached my life: One’s purpose will continue to evolve, however the foundation/footing will always remain steady and firm.

...as stated, "it's all personal."