Celebrating a milestone anniversary this year, the Sangiacomo family has been farming for nearly a century on the most desirable (and oldest) farmlands in Sonoma. On encouragement of his father, founder Vittorio Sangiacomo, a Genovese Italian, came to America in 1913. After working at an Alameda produce farm and later in San Francisco in the garbage industry, fourteen years after arriving in America, Vittorio was able to purchase Eden Dale in 1927, an 1800s ranch with 55 acres of established apple, pear, peach, prune, and cherry trees. Being a farmer at heart, Vittorio developed the orchard over the years using sustainable farming practices to become one of California’s largest pear producers by the 1960s. It wasn’t until 1969 that he and his family decided to shift into grape-growing. At the time, Sonoma and Napa Valley were in their early days of being known for high quality wine grapes. It was Vittorio’s and his children’s visionary thinking which prompted them to take the calculated risk and replant fruit crops to vineyards. It paid off in spades and the family hasn’t looked back since.

Looking Forward

Today, only a handful of heritage pear trees stand on the property – a reminder of the family’s humble beginnings and longstanding roots in Sonoma. Their 50 years of farming vineyards, now as a Certified California Sustainable Winegrower, has made the Sangiacomo family’s prized fruit highly sought after. The original Eden Dale property, affectionately called “Home Ranch”, has expanded to 100-acres, which is part of their 1,600 planted acres across Sonoma and Napa Valley producing ultra-premium, cool-climate grapes for more than 85 clients including many of wine’s top cult producers.
Vittorio’s grandchildren, Steven Sangiacomo, Mia Pucci, and Mike Sangiacomo, work side-by-side every day running their grape-growing operations and focusing on their own ultra-premium bottlings of Sangiacomo Family Wines, crafted by expert Chardonnay and Pinot winemaker James MacPhail. With open arms for learning and a goal of always producing the highest quality fruit with the lowest environmental impact possible, the Sangiacomo family has perfected the art of grape growing. Through timely and meticulous farming practices including canopy management, proper varietal and clone focus, and site management, they achieve extraordinary flavor development in their Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in Carneros, Petaluma Gap, Sonoma Coast, and Napa Valley’s famed Oakville district.

Gorgeous Vineyard Views

The newer tasting room at the Home Ranch is located just two miles from Sonoma Plaza overlooking the vineyards with panoramic views of their estate and the Sonoma Mountain range. Shaded by old-growth olive trees and umbrellas, the expansive terrace is sectioned into tasting vignettes allowing each group to experience an intimate, semi-private guided tasting with one the winery’s knowledgeable and friendly hosts. The late afternoon breeze off San Pablo Bay keeps the area comfortable allowing guests to relax and enjoy the winery’s offerings at a leisurely pace.
Signature Terrace Tasting & Vineyard Experience: A guided wine flight of five current release wines features their Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and a selection of single-vineyard wines. The tasting begins with a gentle stroll through the vineyard to learn the rich history of the family’s farming roots, sustainability practices, and commitment to carrying on the family’s traditions in Sonoma as world-class grape growers. Tastings are by appointment Thursday through Monday. Wine tasting is $45 per person, complimentary for Club Famiglia members. The Wine and Food Pairing which includes a personal gourmet cheese & charcuterie box created by a local favorite, Sausage Emporium, is $70 per person, $25 for Club Famiglia members.

Grateful Gatherings: Plan a visit to the Home Ranch over the holidays to cheers the spirit of the season. Guests are invited to gather on the terrace with friends and family each Friday through January to enjoy wines offered by-the-glass and bottle. A casual bar-tasting flight of current releases is also available for sipping. Their holiday marketplace will host a beautiful selection of curated gifts, perfect for entertaining hosts and wine-loving friends, family, and colleagues. Special hours and wines offered Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. $30 per person tasting fee. Reservations can be booked at sangiacomowines.com/reservation or for impromptu visits, call (707) 934-8445 to inquire about availability.