The Gianelli Story:
It has been said that in some of the oldest wine-growing regions of Europe, a person can actually taste the story of a vineyard with each sip they take. At Gianelli Vineyards & Winery, their wines capture that same essence of place and tradition. The history of the Gianelli family, the land, and even their winemaking practices are part of a legacy that stretches back through countless generations. The story truly begins with Giovani Rocca, who married into the Gianelli family in the late 1800’s. After his marriage, Giovani purchased a large amount of acreage just outside Jamestown – land which today is used in part for the Gianelli vineyards. In Giovani’s day his property was the site for a working cattle ranch, gold mining camp, and was a major stagecoach stop for supplies coming into Jamestown. Giovani was quite a character, and was even reported to give food and aid to the infamous Joaquin Murrieta when he’d pass through town.
With each new generation, the land was worked and cherished, becoming an extension of the family and a testament to the commitment and love for the area. In 1980 Ron Gianelli purchased the property from his grand-aunt Edna Collard. Having grown up in an agricultural family, Ron always knew that he would one day return to farming and to his family’s roots in Jamestown. He had realized half of the dream, and planted the foundation for the future 93 acre vineyard. With strong ties to their family’s homeland of Liguira, Italy, the Gianelli’s were regularly traveling back and forth in order to find inspiration and advisement on how they should farm their property. It was during one of these many trips when Ron and Lorie decided they wanted to carry on the winemaking techniques and vineyard stewardship that the Italians had practiced for thousands of years. Everything about the Foothill appellation seemed to mimic that of Italy. There was a sample of their Jamestown soil sent off to a laboratory in Italy which was returned with the simple note: “mirrors that of Tuscany.” With each successive trip to Italy, the Gianelli’s learned more and more about the varietals that would suit their area, methods, equipment, winemaking practices and the history of Italian wine. Early on in the planning it was known that the winery’s theme would feature old world wines that were true to the Italian style and experience.
Having decided to do something wholly unique in not only the community, but the Californian winemaking industry as a whole, the Gianelli’s created a piece of Italy in their own back yard. Nothing was done half-heartedly. Every piece of equipment, from the fermentation tanks to the smallest filtration units were purchased in Italy. All of the obscure rootstock varietals that Ron had fallen in love with in Tuscany were sourced from a company who had special ties to a vineyard in Verona, Italy. Down to the smallest detail the small Italian operation in the heart of Jamestown California began to take root. Mr. Steve Cullum, a well known vineyard consultant and manager in the Sierra Foothills was employed to assist in planting. Steve’s knowledge of the region was encyclopedic, and his reputation for using uncommon old world varietals in many of his vineyards was exactly what the Gianelli’s were looking for. With his help the terroir was mapped, deciding exactly which varietals would suit their property and how Italian methods and design would be utilized. In 2003 the first vineyards were planted, and today Gianelli Vineyards boasts a total of 18 different estate grown varietals. From Vermentino to Fiano, Primitivo to Agliancio, the vineyard has varietals that are not only uncommon in the United States, but some have never been produced before outside of Italy.
Gianelli Vineyards & Winery not only stands as a testament to the past, but also as a wonderful example of the successful balance that can be achieved between old world traditions and modern day innovation. As the winery and vineyards continue to thrive, the hope is to educate fellow vintners and the public about the wonderful, expressive character of Italian varietals grown here in the Sierra Foothills.
