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| A Wine Label Can Say a Thousand Words |
It is our opinion that a truly exquisite wine cannot be judged on taste alone. For us, we want something that grips us and won't let go. A wine that can tell a story is far more compelling than some ordinary store-bought bottle where the origins are unknown. Our goal is to tell our family heritage and history through each bottle we share and it is through our wine labels that we hope our story can take root.
We invite you to learn more about our family and our wine by reading below...
We invite you to learn more about our family and our wine by reading below...
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| Ricci Vineyards Rosé of Pinot Noir |
Remnants of an Old Windmill
The image above, which can be found on the label for our Rosé of Pinot Noir, is the last remaining vestige of a windmill that existed on the property long before it ever became a vineyard. Perhaps more precisely, this was part of a wind pump that drew water from an underground well and fed it into a stock trough for grazing cattle. Although the cattle have long been removed, and the physical relics of a livelihood that existed prior to the vineyard slowly fade to dust, this tower is an unrelenting reminder of our family's legacy; first as ranchers, now as farmers, and forever patrons to the land.
The image above, which can be found on the label for our Rosé of Pinot Noir, is the last remaining vestige of a windmill that existed on the property long before it ever became a vineyard. Perhaps more precisely, this was part of a wind pump that drew water from an underground well and fed it into a stock trough for grazing cattle. Although the cattle have long been removed, and the physical relics of a livelihood that existed prior to the vineyard slowly fade to dust, this tower is an unrelenting reminder of our family's legacy; first as ranchers, now as farmers, and forever patrons to the land.
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| Three Lions - Pinot Noir |
Undeterred by Sun and Time
At Ricci Vineyards there lies a small pond that has served as a source of summer relief and relaxation for our family for many years. Posted on the edge of this pond are three stone lion statues that stand ever vigilant and watchful; their stern gaze spanning across the reaches of our property. They are the protectors of our vineyard and even as the scorching sun cracks their stone bodies, they remain unwavering and determined. We like to think that the same principles apply towards our efforts as wine producers and grape growers. The image above can be found on the label of our Three Lions Pinot Noir.
At Ricci Vineyards there lies a small pond that has served as a source of summer relief and relaxation for our family for many years. Posted on the edge of this pond are three stone lion statues that stand ever vigilant and watchful; their stern gaze spanning across the reaches of our property. They are the protectors of our vineyard and even as the scorching sun cracks their stone bodies, they remain unwavering and determined. We like to think that the same principles apply towards our efforts as wine producers and grape growers. The image above can be found on the label of our Three Lions Pinot Noir.
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| St. Laurent |
A Looming Giant
On the label of our St. Laurent you will find an image of a towering concrete monolith that casts its shadow over everything that lays below it. Although slowly crumbling by the passage of time, this pillar is an old grain silo and a reminder of the days long before our grapes and vineyards ever existed. The silo was a necessary vessel for storing grain to sustain the herds of cattle that lived on the land when it was used by our family as a dairy. We feel truly honored to carry on the family traditions of farming and we have no doubt that this looming giant will continue to stand tall; ushering in our future generations of agricultural undertakings.
On the label of our St. Laurent you will find an image of a towering concrete monolith that casts its shadow over everything that lays below it. Although slowly crumbling by the passage of time, this pillar is an old grain silo and a reminder of the days long before our grapes and vineyards ever existed. The silo was a necessary vessel for storing grain to sustain the herds of cattle that lived on the land when it was used by our family as a dairy. We feel truly honored to carry on the family traditions of farming and we have no doubt that this looming giant will continue to stand tall; ushering in our future generations of agricultural undertakings.
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| Pommard Clone - Pinot Noir |
A Leap of Faith
Looking upon the vast sea of vineyards, vacant dairy pastures and marshland, Carneros can be viewed as a unique patchwork of untamed ruggedness and beauty. Kissed by chilling winds that whip over Mt. Tamalpais and the Marin Hills from the west, and wrapped in a blanket of fog that creeps in from San Pablo Bay to the south; this land will reward patient stewards that can embrace the challenge of growing wine grapes in such an environment. There is no doubt that starting a vineyard here can take a leap of faith, so our success in Carneros is like a badge of perseverance we wear with pride. Truly, there is no other place we would rather be.
Looking upon the vast sea of vineyards, vacant dairy pastures and marshland, Carneros can be viewed as a unique patchwork of untamed ruggedness and beauty. Kissed by chilling winds that whip over Mt. Tamalpais and the Marin Hills from the west, and wrapped in a blanket of fog that creeps in from San Pablo Bay to the south; this land will reward patient stewards that can embrace the challenge of growing wine grapes in such an environment. There is no doubt that starting a vineyard here can take a leap of faith, so our success in Carneros is like a badge of perseverance we wear with pride. Truly, there is no other place we would rather be.
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| Carneros Chardonnay |
Tools of the Trade
Tucked in a forgotten corner of our property, all but locked away from the rest of the world, is a room that speaks of generations long ago. Harboring the remains of a once-proud machine shop, the walls within are a time capsule adorned with antique jars filled with screws and bolts, saw blades that dangle from rusted nails, and hammers cloaked in cobwebs. The laboring of a century ago radiates through the warped, wooden planks that hold the building upright; invoking a sense of admiration for a much simpler time. For us, this old shop is a reminder that beauty shines brightest with simplicity; wine in hand and the conversation of friends and family nearby.
Tucked in a forgotten corner of our property, all but locked away from the rest of the world, is a room that speaks of generations long ago. Harboring the remains of a once-proud machine shop, the walls within are a time capsule adorned with antique jars filled with screws and bolts, saw blades that dangle from rusted nails, and hammers cloaked in cobwebs. The laboring of a century ago radiates through the warped, wooden planks that hold the building upright; invoking a sense of admiration for a much simpler time. For us, this old shop is a reminder that beauty shines brightest with simplicity; wine in hand and the conversation of friends and family nearby.
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| Dry Muscat |
Survival and Resilience
This old, rusted delivery truck is a survivor. At one point its refrigeration unit was used as an incubator to nurse our young, fledgling vines. However, prior to this purpose it was a part of a proud fleet that transported cargoes of milk throughout Sonoma County for the historic Stornetta Dairy. In 2017 the Stornetta Dairy, which was established in 1932, was leveled by the raging fires that tore through the heart of the Sonoma wine country. After the ash and smoke had settled, this vehicle instantly became a treasured artifact; an endangered memento from a chapter of Sonoma's agricultural past. This truck will remind us how those flames changed, and strengthened, our community forever.
This old, rusted delivery truck is a survivor. At one point its refrigeration unit was used as an incubator to nurse our young, fledgling vines. However, prior to this purpose it was a part of a proud fleet that transported cargoes of milk throughout Sonoma County for the historic Stornetta Dairy. In 2017 the Stornetta Dairy, which was established in 1932, was leveled by the raging fires that tore through the heart of the Sonoma wine country. After the ash and smoke had settled, this vehicle instantly became a treasured artifact; an endangered memento from a chapter of Sonoma's agricultural past. This truck will remind us how those flames changed, and strengthened, our community forever.
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| Cesta Cuvée |
Cherish the Voyage Equally to the Destination
Cesta (pronounced sess-tah) is a Czech term that translates to "journey" or "path". The train tracks pictured above run through our vineyard and are symbolic for the trek we embarked upon as farmers in Sonoma nearly 40 years ago. Back in 1982, the path we started on is not the same path we travel today. Meandering through the decades, we have made plenty of course corrections and adaptations along the way. Ultimately, we celebrate our grape-growing odyssey for the direction it has taken us and find solace knowing that wherever we end up on this journey, our hands will till the soil and our hearts will undoubtedly be entrenched in Carneros.
Cesta (pronounced sess-tah) is a Czech term that translates to "journey" or "path". The train tracks pictured above run through our vineyard and are symbolic for the trek we embarked upon as farmers in Sonoma nearly 40 years ago. Back in 1982, the path we started on is not the same path we travel today. Meandering through the decades, we have made plenty of course corrections and adaptations along the way. Ultimately, we celebrate our grape-growing odyssey for the direction it has taken us and find solace knowing that wherever we end up on this journey, our hands will till the soil and our hearts will undoubtedly be entrenched in Carneros.
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| Chardonnay Pét-Nat |
Whispers From a Forgotten Town
Situated along the muddy banks of Sonoma Creek, mere miles from our vineyard, is the ghost town of Wingo. In a physical sense Wingo is no more than a collection of ramshackle dwellings slowly being reclaimed by the marshlands that besiege it. Yet, the undeniable spirit of Carneros is softly murmured from the creaking cabins and howling winds. Far removed from the opulence and commercialized grandeur of wine country, this is Sonoma Valley in its purest form. Much like the origin story of Ricci Vineyards, Wingo was built on hard work, sacrifices made by early settlers, and an ongoing admiration for the surrounding land. We pay homage to this spectral place and its enchanting legacy.
Situated along the muddy banks of Sonoma Creek, mere miles from our vineyard, is the ghost town of Wingo. In a physical sense Wingo is no more than a collection of ramshackle dwellings slowly being reclaimed by the marshlands that besiege it. Yet, the undeniable spirit of Carneros is softly murmured from the creaking cabins and howling winds. Far removed from the opulence and commercialized grandeur of wine country, this is Sonoma Valley in its purest form. Much like the origin story of Ricci Vineyards, Wingo was built on hard work, sacrifices made by early settlers, and an ongoing admiration for the surrounding land. We pay homage to this spectral place and its enchanting legacy.