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| About Carneros |
The Carneros, or Los Carneros, AVA (American Viticulture Area) is a majestic stretch of land in Northern California that extends from the south-eastern end of Sonoma County, and reaches into the western beginnings of Napa County. Divided between the two counties, about 70% of the Carneros AVA resides in Sonoma and 30% is a part of Napa.
Although the first vines were planted here in the 1830's, it wasn't truly until the late 1970's and early 1980's that the area began to realize its grape-growing potential. Notated for its proximity to San Pablo Bay to the south, the conditions in Carneros are known for thick, damp fog in the mornings as well as cool winds in the afternoons. This climate lends itself admirably to growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, two varietals that can be fickle in warmer regions.
Currently there are approximately 10,000 acres planted in Carneros and the fruit sourced from here is used not just for still wines, but a lot of sparkling wine as well. It was determined that Carneros is geographically distinct and distinguishable over other grape-producing regions in the United States, and thus, Carneros received AVA designation in 1983.
Currently there are approximately 10,000 acres planted in Carneros and the fruit sourced from here is used not just for still wines, but a lot of sparkling wine as well. It was determined that Carneros is geographically distinct and distinguishable over other grape-producing regions in the United States, and thus, Carneros received AVA designation in 1983.
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| Our History |
The origin of Ricci Vineyards dates back to the early 1970's when our founder, Dale Ricci, first had aspirations to transform his family land in Carneros into a full-scale vineyard. Prior to these ambitions, the property had previously been used for various agricultural undertakings through the years. Mainly it was used for prune production, growing hay...even grape vines were put in place by Dale's paternal grandfather, but these were ultimately gone by the 1950's.
In the mid-1970's, Carneros was still largely unrecognized for its propensity for growing wine grapes. Many experts felt that the region was too cold and the climate too unfavorable to ever be considered a habitable place for viable vineyards. This notion also extended to small business lenders, and when Dale approached them, he was unable to secure traditional financing to start his vineyard. Dwindling on options but determined to not be undone, in 1982 Dale adopted a do-it-yourself ethos and started collecting discarded end posts, irrigation tubing, and vine stakes from other vineyard sites and repurposing them in his own operation. Also, rather than use established vines, he used existing rootstock and grafted Chardonnay cuttings in his own nursery. After patiently raising these young vines he eventually planted them in the first blocks of his vineyard and meticulously expanded the operation with each passing year. Through many seasons of hard work and perseverance, the fledgling vineyard slowly transformed into 60 acres of planted vines.
In the mid-1970's, Carneros was still largely unrecognized for its propensity for growing wine grapes. Many experts felt that the region was too cold and the climate too unfavorable to ever be considered a habitable place for viable vineyards. This notion also extended to small business lenders, and when Dale approached them, he was unable to secure traditional financing to start his vineyard. Dwindling on options but determined to not be undone, in 1982 Dale adopted a do-it-yourself ethos and started collecting discarded end posts, irrigation tubing, and vine stakes from other vineyard sites and repurposing them in his own operation. Also, rather than use established vines, he used existing rootstock and grafted Chardonnay cuttings in his own nursery. After patiently raising these young vines he eventually planted them in the first blocks of his vineyard and meticulously expanded the operation with each passing year. Through many seasons of hard work and perseverance, the fledgling vineyard slowly transformed into 60 acres of planted vines.
Historically, as a family the Ricci clan descended from a long line of ranchers and farmers. One of the precursors to Dale's farming endeavors began when his maternal grandfather built a dairy around 1913 in the Schellville region of Sonoma. This dairy was in close proximity to what would eventually become Dale's initial vineyard several decades later. Dale's uncle, Rome Masnada, assumed the day-to-day operations of this dairy in the 1930's and continuously ran things until the mid-1980's when he retired. Rome's immediate family did not want to continue with the dairy business after his retirement, so Dale, confident in the prosperity and success of his existing vineyard, took the initiative to expand his land holdings. In 1996 he purchased the vacant dairy and adjacent property from his uncle's family. Although fertile and full of promise, this new acquisition was completely devoid of established vines, so in 1997 new planting begun. Before too long, what was once bare dairy pastures had transformed into a thriving vineyard and the cornerstone to the Ricci Vineyards enterprise.
Now, with approximately 221 acres planted between two vineyard parcels, Ricci Vineyards continues to forge ahead by doing what we have all along - producing the best fruit for the some of the most revered and respected wines coming from Carneros.
Now, with approximately 221 acres planted between two vineyard parcels, Ricci Vineyards continues to forge ahead by doing what we have all along - producing the best fruit for the some of the most revered and respected wines coming from Carneros.