Looking to the Future

In 1917, when Italian immigrant Santo Cambianca founded a winery in Los Angeles, he could not have imagined that San Antonio Winery (named after his patron saint, Saint Anthony) would grow to be a mainstay of the then infant, California wine industry. Twenty years later, Santo brought his nephew Stefano Riboli, from Italy to become a part of, and eventually the head of, San Antonio Winery. Growth through the decades re-formed the company, which today is known as Riboli Family Wines, the emphasis being on the word “family;” and how they have grown!

One Step At A Time

Dedicated to wine, community, and family, Riboli Family Wines, slowly and methodically grew their business, with each generation of family becoming involved. Today, the Riboli Family locations include the original Los Angeles winery, tasting room and restaurant; the Ontario, California tasting room; a high-tech, state-of-the-art winery and event center in Paso Robles; and the inviting Paso Robles tasting room and bistro.
As Papa Steve (as Stefano was affectionately called) said: “It was always about working harder, to leave something for the next generation.” What Papa left was a love of the grape, family, and heritage. Today, headed by Anthony Riboli, (Papa Steve’s grandson), Riboli Family Wines has been taken to new heights – and an expanded purpose. Over the years, vineyards in Napa, Monterey and Paso Robles have been acquired, adding to the overall footprint and presence of this family company. But it is Paso Robles where the Riboli Family has recently made a significant impact.

Paso Robles

In the past twenty years, Paso Robles has become recognized as a premier grape-growing and wine-producing area of California. With more than 200 wineries in this Central Coast area, Riboli has made a statement about their presence going forward. Always, with an eye to the future, Riboli purchased premium wine producer Jada Vineyard and Winery less than six months ago. Over the last twenty years Jada has established a reputation as one of the elite producers in California’s Central Coast, and in 2021, their Passing By (Cabernet Sauvignon) was named a top 100 wine by wine critic Jeb Dunnuck. This purchase put Riboli squarely into the mix of ultra-premium Paso Robles wine producers. From one family (Jada) to another (Riboli), the same love, commitment, and quality that Jada established, was seamlessly passed to another family, with a proven dedication to the same principals.
Continuing to cement their footprint in the Central Coast, Riboli also recently announced the purchase of their seventh vineyard in Paso Robles. This hundred-acre property, in the El Pomar AVA, specializes in growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah. Recognizing the uniqueness of this Central Coast area and terroir, Riboli Family Wines has made a commitment to grow and produce quality fruit, highly regarded wines, and doing so in a sustainable and ecologically responsible manner.

The Future

As Anthony Riboli looks to his past roots, back to Santo and Stefano, he envisions blending the past vision of Stefano to future generations. “My family has always taken pride in being stewards of the land. We were once farmers from Northern Italy. Today, we farm estate vineyards in Paso Robles that are certified sustainable. I know my great uncle and grandfather are proud!”   
Who would have imagined, 105 years ago, that the winery founded in 1917 by Santo would become an icon and example of the American Dream, plus an illustration of what “family” means. One-hundred years of history came together in 2018 when Riboli Family Wines was awarded American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
Both Santo and Stefano must be smiling brightly, beaming down on this mainstay of an American Wine Family.

Don Sonderling is a freelance writer covering California’s Wine Country lifestyle and culture, from the Central Coast up through the Napa Valley and Sonoma. He may be reached at: donsonderling@gmail.com.