Open: Year Round
From the outset, Galba, who worked in the vineyards when he was a youngster in Italy, has been intent on making the Magnanini Winery a family affair. It has been exactly that since the winery was established in 1983 to the first bottling a year later. In the spring of 1985, the family-style European restaurant was opened.Galba, speaks proudly, of his family's part of the winery. His son Richard is a self-taught winemaker, who's been working in the 13 acres of grapevines since he was 15 years old. He also helped build the winery and restaurant.
The family connection doesn't end with the father-son partnership. Galba's brother, Renzo Magnanini, is a renowned European artist who makes his home in the family's native Bologna, Italy. Renzo was chosen by the Vatican from a group of thousands of artists to paint a "pala altare" (altar piece) in the Cathedral of St. Dominic in Bologna to honor St. Martin of Porres. In 2000, Renzo Magnanini donated one of his paintings, "Descent from the Cross" to the Hermitage Museum. (www.hermitagemuseum.org). The artist also painted the murals in the winery and restaurant. He also has his work gracing the Magnanini Wine labels.
The property on which the vineyards and winery are located has been in the family since 1953, although it wasn't until 1970 that Galba and Richard began planting wine grapes. "In 1965, I went to Europe. I was touring Europe and I saw American tourists drinking wines. I came back and decided to plant." The harvest from the first planting was sold to home winemakers in the area. While the winemakers perfected their wines, Richard continued to do research on viticulture practices and winemaking techniques.
With the adoption of the Farm Winery Act in 1976, the Magnanini's were encouraged to continue their efforts in the vineyards and eventually bottled 1,000 gallons for commercial sale in July 1984. Production at the winery has reached to 6,000 gallons. Richard and Rachel, with their two sons Robert and David, continue to work to keep the family tradition alive.
