Ruben Camacho Sr. came to the US in 1975. He was hired by Zaca Mesa in 1977 as a tractor driver. The previous vineyard manager taught Ruben everything he knows about the vineyards. After seven years of hard vineyard work, Ruben was promoted to Vineyard Manager. Zaca Mesa’s Black Bear Syrah was named after Ruben’s experience in 1978. While in the Mesa H block of the vineyard, he noticed a black bear eating the soon to be famous Syrah grapes. His dogs, Bingo and Chispa, bravely protected the grapes and chased the black bear up a tree. That section of the vineyard was renamed the Black Bear Block and has been producing amazing grapes ever since. Over 30 years of experience has made Ruben probably the most important person in Zaca Mesa’s history with his knowledge of the land, fountain of information, support, and great spirit.