| Region of production: | Russian River Valley AVA |
| Winery Location: | Healdsburg |
| Year Established: | 1982 |
Vineyard Holdings
52 ha
about half planted to Pinot Noir
- Sweetwater
- Big Hill, Little Hill
- Mid 40
- River Block: Divided into east and west.
- West Block: Mother vineyard for new plantings.
Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages
- East Block (Russian River Valley AVA): Inaugural vintage 1992.
- West Block (Russian River Valley AVA): Inaugural vintage 1999.
- Three Corner (Russian River Valley AVA): Inaugural vintage 1992.
- Reserve (Russian River Valley AVA): Inaugural vintage 1989.
- Estate (Russian River Valley AVA): Inaugural vintage 1985.
Average Total Production
- 156,000 bottles
Summary
The Rochioli property sits on a 125-acre parcel that was known as Fenton Acres until 1983. Joe Rochioli, Sr., emigrated from Italy and purchased the property in 1934. He passed away in 1966, and today, the estate is run by Joe Rochioli, Jr., and his son, Tom. Joe began producing wine from the estate in 1976 under the Fenton Acres label, and the inaugural, 150-case 1982 vintage for Rochioli was made by Gary Farrell. Tom has produced every vintage since then, studying under the likes of Burt Williams of Williams-Selyem, who purchased Rochioli fruit beginning in 1979. Single-vineyard bottlings are labeled J. Rochioli, while appellation wines are labeled simply Rochioli. Half of the fruit is used for the brand and the other half sold. The estate also includes Sauvignon Blanc planted in 1959 – some of the oldest plantings in California.
Style & Vinification Techniques
Rochioli focuses on expressing the nuances of various vineyards and blocks. The winery was the California pioneer of the “micro-batch” process of fermenting blocks separately. Yields are kept at one to two tons per acre, and alcohol levels typically hover between 13.5% and 14%.
Producer Website: Rochioli