Samuele Sebastiani emigrated from Tuscany to America in 1895, and founded his eponymous winery nine years later in 1904. He was a stonemason by trade, and quarry-mined the Sonoma Hills for stones that would build the streets of San Francisco. But all the while he was carefully saving his wages to buy land on which to make wines for his Sonoma neighbors and the restaurants of San Francisco. Sebastiani was the only winery in Sonoma to remain operational during Prohibition, producing wine for sacramental and medicinal purposes, giving rise to the joke that during this time there was a resurgence of people becoming very religious! Following Samuele's death in 1944, his son August and his wife Sylvia, purchased the winery from the estate and began to expand. August gained a reputation as one of America's most skilled and innovative winemakers, who respected the craftsmen of Sonoma; there is a collection of hand-carved Sebastiani barrels completed by Earle Brown during the 1970's and 80's that are on display at the winery today. August died in 1980, and Sylvia, along with sons Sam and Don, and daughter Mary Ann took control of the company. In 1986 Sam left to start his own winery (Viansa). The rest of the family built a large, hugely successful portfolio of Central-Valley value brands, collectively called Turner Road Vintners, whilst continuing to produce wines under the family Sebastiani label. In 2001 the family decided to refocus, and concentrate on the production of quality wines under their flagship Sebastiani brand, and sold Turner Road to Constellation Brands. Dom left the company to devote his full attention to the Cecchetti Sebastiani Cellar, which he had established with his brother-in-law Roy Cecchetti in 1985 (now Don Sebastiani & Sons). And so it was Sam and Don's sister, Mary Anne Sebastiano Cuneo who assumed the rule of President and CEO, and led Sebastiani to become one of Sonoma County's premier wine producers. In 2008 Sebastiani was acquired by Bill Foley, who lowered production, reduced yields, bought new barrels and winemaking equipment, and acquired additional vineyards. Sonoma is one of the most diverse wine-growing regions in the world. The climate is influenced by the proximity to, or distance from, the Pacific Ocean. Vineyards nearer the ocean are cool, and those further in land warm. The soils are incredibly complex, from volcanic to marine based, and every individual site has its own distinct terroir. Sebastiani cultivate a vast array of 26 different grape varieties, but they ensure that each is specifically matched to its region. Cool climate Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast and Carneros are ideal for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The cusp regions like Dry Creek and Chalk Hill are more suited to Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Zinfandel and Merlot. Warmer regions like the Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, and parts of Chalk Hill and Sonoma Valley are perfect for Bordeaux varieties. Sebastiani craft small-lot artisan wines with an emphasis on single vineyard and sub-appellation wines. These wines express quality across all tiers, expressing the great diversity of Sonoma county.
sebastiani.com