Sonoma County

For over a century, Italian-Americans have been an integral part of Sonoma County’s wine industry. Many Italian immigrants, who came to Sonoma County in the early 1900s, found the area to be similar to their homeland and ideal for farming. They began growing zinfandel grapes, which are genetically identical to the Italian red grape primitivo, and established a number of wineries. The hard work and ingenuity of these Italian immigrants has allowed them to survive the turbulence of World War I, Prohibition, the Great Depression and World War II. They have adapted to what grows best in their area and have developed a broad range of varietals, including chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, sauvignon blanc, syrah, petite sirah, petit verdot, malbec and sangiovese. These Italian-American winemakers have also kept their wineries in the family, with many of their descendants carrying on the tradition. This has allowed them to pass the baton to the next generation, while preserving the heritage that defines many of these wineries. The stories of these Italian-American winemakers are a testament to their determination and perseverance and are a reminder of the important role they have played in Sonoma County’s wine industry.