| 1927 |
Giovanni Pedroncelli purchases 90 acres of hillside land
west of Geyerserville of which 25 acres are planted mostly to
Zinfandel. During Prohibition, a former winery building is in use
as a barn.
|
| 1927 - 1933 |
Pedroncelli harvests and sells grapes to local
home winemakers. One small, historic block of 100-year-old
Zinfandel still remains, the Mother Clone, providing budwood for
replanted estate Zinfandel into the 21st century. |
| 1933 |
Prohibition is repealed at the end of the
year. Giovanni Pedroncelli applies for licensing in 1934 to
begin wine production for the upcoming harvest. The federal
government allows him to use the original Bonded Winery #113. |
| 1934-1947 |
The Pedroncelli family makes wine, selling and delivering in
barrels to grocery stores, local families and ranchers. A gallon of
the red and white field blend sells for 45 cents to consumers who
drive to the winery to fill up their own bottles.
A few more redwood storage tanks are added and a small vineyard is
acquired, now known as Pedroni-Bushnell Vineyard, now owned and
farmed by Jim and John's niece and her husband. |
| 1948 |
John Pedroncelli Jr. becomes winemaker in 1948.
Beginning in 1949, he makes a Zinfandel for release bottled under
the Pedroncelli label. |
| 1954 |
On Jim Pedroncelli's recommendation, the winery is
among the first to use the Sonoma County appellation on its
label. |
| 1955 |
Pedroncelli's first major winery expansion is
built. An automatic bottling line is installed and more storage
tanks for the growing production. (Before this, bottling was done
by hand.) John Sr operates a tiny tasting room in a corner of the
cellar, welcoming friends and family to taste his wines. |
| 1956-1960 |
Jim Pedroncelli assumes marketing and sales
responsibilities in 1957. Along with Zinfandel, wines produced now
include Pinot Noir, Zinfandel Rose and Riesling as well as blends
like Burgundy, Claret and Chablis. |
| 1960 |
Thirty acres of adjacent vineyard land is
purchased from a grower and adds to the home ranch. |
| 1963 |
Sons John and Jim Pedroncelli purchase the winery
and vineyards from their father and begin their own legacy. |
| 1964 |
Pedroncelli begins to vintage date its wines. The
first Pedroncelli vintage dated Cabernet Sauvignon is from
1966. |
| 1966 |
A six-acre parcel of prunes on West Dry Creek Road
is purchased and planted to Cabernet Sauvignon. These majestic
vines were pulled out due to age in 2003 and have been replanted to
Cabernet Sauvignon once again. |
| 1968 |
Pedroncelli purchases its first French oak barrels
and begins converting the wood tanks to stainless steel. The winery
focuses more on varietal wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon,
Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer and Johannisberg
Riesling. |
| 1970 |
Two parcels of prunes totaling 56 acres located
about a mile from the winery on the bench and valley floor are
purchased. This is now known as the Pedroncelli East Side
Vineyards, as vines are planted along the eastern side of Dry Creek
Valley. |
| 1971-1980 |
A renaissance begins in Dry Creek Valley with many wineries
being established and prune orchards now planted to grapes. During
this period, Pedroncelli establishes relationships with growers
Nivan Buchignani, Frank Johnson and Morris Fay that will last into
the 21st century.
Pedroncelli transitions out of gallons and half gallons and focuses
on production of 750 ml bottles of varietal wines. The list of
wines is expanded. Avenues for selling wine go from local
sales to statewide and national distribution through
wholesalers. |
| 1980-1982 |
Pedroncelli begins a 20-year project of replanting
most of its 47-acre hillside Home Ranch Vineyards surrounding
the winery that are primarily planted to Zinfandel. A new
fermentation room is built in 1981 with temperature controlled
stainless steel tanks. |
| 1983 |
Dry Creek Valley becomes an American Viticultural Appellation
(AVA).
Pedroncelli adds Dry Creek Valley to its label.
|
| 1986-87 |
A new barrel room and tasting room are built.
About 90 percent of the barrels at Pedroncelli are American oak.
French oak barrels are used to age Pinot Noir and special
lots. |
| 1988 |
Pedroncelli begins replanting the 52-acre East
Side Vineyards to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and a
small block of Cabernet Franc, using Smart Dysen and Scott Henry
split canopy trellising systems and closer vine spacing
(6'x9'). |
| 1990s |
Single and Special Vineyard Selection wines are introduced.
These wines represent Pedroncelli's finest achievement in eight
decades of winegrowing.
A third generation of Pedroncellis is firmly established in all
aspects of winery and vineyard operations, carrying forward the
family tradition into the 21st century.
|
| 2002 |
After more than 20 years of replanting, the 47-acre hillside
estate Home Ranch Vineyards surrounding the winery is predominantly
head-trained Zinfandel, ranging in age from 95 to four years old.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Petite Sirah, Syrah and four
different Port varieties are also planted in this vineyard.
|
| 2004 |
Pedroncelli experienced their earliest harvest
ever with the first grapes picked on August 11 (Sauvignon Blanc).
Harvest was over by the end of September and the wines are showing
wonderfully even for such a hurried time. |
| 2007 |
The Pedroncelli family celebrates 80 years of
winegrowing. |
| 2008-09 |
Members of the fourth generation work in the
vineyard as well as the tasting room including grandsons Mitch
Blakeley and Steve Trentadue. |