From time to time, Slow Living radio engages
in a special retrospective… a show focusing on the life and times of a
particularly remarkable person or family. Past programs have included vintner
Mike Grgich, hoteliers Tim and Donna Egan, sports executive and now vintner
Carmen Policy, to name a few. Tonight, we are pleased and honored to feature a
local wine family — Roberta, Ron and Ryan Sciandri of Sciandri Family Vineyards
located in the Coombsville wine AVA.
Sadly, their father Ron Sciandri, Sr., co-founder of the winery with Roberta,
his wife of 47 years, passed away in 2015 after a valiant battle with cancer.
He left behind a great family legacy that we learn about this evening. It’s a
story of love, commitment, passion… and above all, family bonds.
The Sciandri Family arrived in Napa in 1992,
purchasing 20 acres of unplanted pasture, begging to be planted. So, it was not
long before they planted their first Cabernet Sauvignon field and started a new
adventure in wine. The Sciandri family farms their vineyard in the Coombsville
region of Napa. Coombsville is the 16th, and one of Napa’s newest AVA (American
Viticultural Area). A quiet area, in the southeastern corner of the Napa
Valley, tucked up against the foothills of the Vaca Mountain Range, just outside
of historic town of Napa. Most people who visit Napa never pass through it, or
even know it exists. Coombsville wines can be recognized by their typically
soft but significant tannins, which provide excellent structure and mouthfeel, along with underlying layers of earth and
minerality. Coombsville weather is also unique. They often say it is the first
place the fog rolls in from the San Pablo bay and the last place it leaves.
This allows a long, slow ripening period as the vines bud early
and our grapes are usually
among the last to
be harvested.
As growers, the Sciandri’s were honored to provide
fruit to some of the most prestigious winemakers in the valley. It was after
many years of enjoying the fruits of their labor in others’ wines, they made
the family decision to start their own production.
In 2006, they launched Sciandri Vineyards. The logo
and label were conceived following a visit to the small village where their
family resides in Italy. Their ancestors have been making house wine for
generations and the Sciandri’s hoped to continue in that tradition. Aiming for a
convergence of family and wine our label tells a story of history and generations. The leaf pays tribute to the town,
La Quercia, which translates to “the oak” in Italian. Each grape on the logo
cluster represents a member of the family, while the dual triangle pattern and
blue color scheme was inspired by the town flag of La Quercia. Their hope is
that their wines can be used as a vehicle to bring together family and friends.
The first wine was an Estate Grown Cabernet
Sauvignon. They have since grown the portfolio to offer their Coombsville
Cuveé, a Rosé, a Sauvignon Blanc, and a special 4 barrel production of a wine
called “Nello”. Named in honor of Ron
Sr.’s dad, who taught the family about gardening, farming, and the importance
of being good stewards of the land. As with all family businesses it is all
hands on deck.
For more information, or to connect to these amazing folks and their wines... https://www.sciandrivineyards.com/
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