The sloping fields, located just above West Block Vineyards, have rocky soil that is well-drained.
A supreme wine that offers a moderately concentrated aroma, touches of black cherry and spice, complex flavors and a long aftertaste.
(Limited Edition) Tom Rochioli's grandfather was one of the many Italian immigrants who came to New York long ago.
He then moved to the West Coast and in 1959 planted Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon with his son, Joe Jr., Tom's father.
The Cabernet never ripened and was subsequently pulled out in the 1970s, but the Sauvignon Blanc vineyard remains today and is one of the oldest in California.
In 1968, my father saw the potential of Pinot Noir, which no one had planted at the time, and opened up a vineyard, which sparked my passion for producing high-quality grapes.
In the 1980s, they began selling grapes to neighboring wineries and later began supplying Williams Selyem.
Convinced that this vineyard could produce unique grapes, Tom returned home after working in finance for a few years after graduating from college and approached his father about making a wine bearing the family name.
And so J. Rochioli Vineyards & Winery was born.
The first vintage of Pinot Noir in 1985 was immediately named “The Best of American Pinot Noir” by Wine Spectator magazine, surprising everyone, including Tom himself.
Tom, who had suddenly become the center of attention, was then travelling to Burgundy with his wife where he was impressed by the wines of a great winemaker he visited. He learned to separate lots into different vineyards and according to the quality of the wine, and this experience became the foundation of his winemaking, which continues to this day, to express unique terroirs.
Rochioli's wines, which remain extremely popular today, are always out of stock and sometimes unavailable even in the winery's tasting room.
Only a very lucky few professionals and enthusiasts have the opportunity to taste this wonderful wine.