The Fat Guys
The Fat Guys
Tony Moll / Co-Founder, Proprietor & Winemaker
Tony grew up in Sonoma where his family has been amongst the vines for five generations. Tony’s Great-Grand Parents on his mother’s side moved to the town of Healdsburg in Sonoma County from the Lucca province of Italy in the early 1900’s. At their home ranch they grew zinfandel to sell to the local wineries and making a little for themselves. Some of Tony’s earliest memories are of him and his brothers playing in the vineyards and chasing rabits in the gardens. Around the same time, Tony’s Great-Grand Parents on his father’s side moved to Sonoma from Norway and quickly became one of the largest home builders in the North Bay. They purchased a large ranch in the Carneros region of Sonoma where his extended family has lived since. After growing up in Sonoma, Tony went to college at the University of Nevada and played Tight End yet was drafted and played most of his career at both Right Guard and Tackle for the Packers, Ravens and Chargers. After football, Tony moved back to Sonoma to run Three Fat Guys where even today you will find him walking the vineyards, working in the winery or pouring wines to guests in the TFG tasting room.
Daryn Colledge / Co-Founder
Daryn was born and raised in North Pole, Alaska and went to college at Boise State. Daryn played most of his career at Left Guard for the Packer’s before heading to the Cardinals and finishing his career with the Dolphins. Daryn carries a Super Bowl ring from his Championship with the Packers in 2010. After retiring Daryn enlisted into the Army and is currently active in the Army Reserves back home in Boise. Outside of Daryn’s busy schedule, he is a major facet of sales in the Northwest for TFG as well as working on future projects of Three Fat Guys.
Jason Spitz / Co-Founder
Jason grew up on the beaches of Jacksonville, Florida and went to school at the University of Louisville. He played most of his football career at Center and Guard where he was able to take control and command of the interior game. Jason carries a Super Bowl ring from his Championship season with the Packer in 2010. After playing with the Packers, Jason moved home to play for the Jaguars and finished his football career with the Seahawks before retiring and moving back to Louisville where he works in finance and helps with sales for TFG in the midwest and on the east coast.
Jim McMahon / Director of Winemaking
Suprisingly fitting to the story of TFG, our winemakers name just happens to be Jim McMahon. Now of course it’s not the Jim McMahon you’re thinking of from da bears; this Jim was raised in Sonoma and attended college at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Jim began his career in the wine industry at Kenwood Vineyards & Winery under the legendary Mike Lee and moved up the ranks to Assistant Winemaker. After almost a decade at Kenwood, Jim made the move over the hill to the Napa Valley. He started as Assistant Winemaker and was eventually named Winemaker at Luna Vineyards followed by General Manager and Winemaker at William Harrison Vineyards & Winery. Today, Jim spends most of his workday as part of the famed winemaking team of Copper Cane.
Jim’s approach to making wine begins with quality fruit and solid winemaking skills. These fundamentals are critical to creating a good wine. However, to Jim, combining them with passion and pouring his heart and soul into the process is how a good wine becomes superb.
Jim is a longtime friend and next door neighbor to Tony which has had its benefits for the growth of TFG through late night wine meetings and mailbox friday’s.
The Story
The Story
As the legend has been told; The amazing friendship between Daryn, Jason, and Tony had begun after fate had brought them together. The odds of three guys coming from different corners of the United States and realizing their passion for really good wine caused an immediate bond that remains impossible to break. And so, the story goes.
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It all started on a lucky day in April 2006. A week before the three had come together for the first time, each of them were sitting at home with friends and family, patiently waiting for the phone to ring from a team saying that they were going to be drafted. A childhood dream for most, playing football at the highest level and chasing everlasting glory. Little did they know, the same team was planning to take three offensive lineman that year. There was a major need to bring in youth and energy to protect a legendary quarterback. Each of them received that call. And each packed their bags, and set out on a journey that would change their lives forever.
Not long after the phone call came in, the three were on their way to join their new team. A new brotherhood, a new city, a new home. Many get lost in the fortune and fame that goes along with playing in the league. Fast cars, nice clothes, and beautiful women. Some forget where they came from, some are trying to put their past behind them. Even within the walls of this new exclusive club, everyone still came from all walks of life. Yet somehow, someway, when the Daryn, Jason and Tony finally met for the first time, a friendship was struck. They stuck together. Helping each other. Working hard and playing harder. In the locker room, the offensive lineman had lockers next to each other. Some would say that they like to keep the cows in the same pasture, but the linemen saw it as being able to protect their own. Across the room were the quarterbacks, and linebackers. They're known as the "high socks" for always trying to play cute and fancy and for chasing fame in their sparkling cleats. In return, the linemen were labeled the "Fat Guys". For obvious reasons and also that they are to slow to keep up with the fame.
There was also a difference in the type of lineman. A defensive lineman is known to be fast and athletic. Where Offensive lineman are known for their strength and resilience. As well as being the smartest player on the field. Any true footballer knows that games are won and loss by how well the Offensive line plays. The rest of the players on the field are just to keep the fans entertained.
After entering this new world, each of Daryn, Jason and Tony, scrapped their way to playing most games of their rookie year and every season after. They went against future hall of famers, played in every stadium and on every sports channel. They traveled together, stayed at the finest of hotels and ate at the most exquisite foods from the best restaurants. Always pairing their entree's with superior wine before going on to winning the game the next day. This process needed only to be repeated a handful of times before they started to notice that all of them not only enjoyed wine but were fond of the process of sourcing grapes and making wine. Great wine actually. The type of wine thats unforgettable. Wine that when sipped brings back memories of good times and great travels. Memories with friends and family that were forgotten until the last sip reminded you of a single moment of happiness. A moment of pure emotion. A moment that you never want to lose again. And thus, the Idea of making a wine together to never forget these finer moments became alive. Three Fat Guys was born.
Through their many games, journeys, and tall tales together, they gained a passion for fine delicacies and premium wines. Over the years of playing Professional Football together, the Three Fat Guys Wine label has taken on a different meaning; an everlasting connection to the memories of good times, humbling experiences and astounding victories. Drink every last drop as this wine will be memorable.
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"Enjoy our wine. Embrace your rich and vibrant past. And create unforgettable memories for the future. Cheers."
- The THREE FAT GUYS