For those visiting the blog for the first time, I’ve assembled a recap of sorts of where we at Capozzi Winery have come in the past couple months. I’ll be making it a permanent link in its own little box on the left and adding to it as events warrant. Hopefully this will make it easy to get up to speed quickly
on how we’re progressing.
On November 18, ‘05 pinotblogger was born. Its stated purpose is to “outline the long and painful processes involved in starting and building a family winery in the Russian River Valley�. While we haven’t been at it very long nor has it been particularly painful yet, I’m 99.9% certain that at least one of these adjectives will correctly describe the project in the very near future (hopefully NOT painful and short though, as that would be sad).
Soon after starting the blog we asked readers to help us try and conjure up an appropriate name for the winery. Thanks to Tom Wark we got a nice bump in
traffic as well as some quality suggestions from him and others (Insomnia Winery anyone?). I also got a chance in that post to explain our motivation for starting the winery. In short, it’s all about keeping our family close and connected.
While we mulled over the possibilities I wrote a few posts regarding our choice of pinot noir clones, which are the building blocks of any good pinot, and our neighborhood and local terroir. Those interested in winegrowing and the Russian River Valley in general might find them of interest.
When we finally arrived at a decision on our winery name, it was made by looking back at our family history. Capozzi Winery is named in honor of my great Grandmother Maria Giovanna who was a bootlegger during the prohibition era. She would ship in grapes from California to make wine in her basement for sale, and keep her sales tallied in a little ledger. As the first winemaker in the family, we think it’s only fitting to honor her pioneering efforts.
Soon after we turned our attention toward creating our label, and we are currently in the middle of that process. We have a logo designed by the wonderful Dayna, AKA The Calligraphy Lady whose exquisite hand lettering has been featured in magazines such as Martha Stewart, Better Homes and Gardens and Cosmo. She created a couple of great logos for us; so good in fact we couldn’t decide between them. So, being a blogger, I placed them both on the blog and asked for feedback. We received lots, as well as other helpful suggestions that made it quite easy for us to make our final decision. Currenly we are getting the proposed winery site surveyed, and we’re designing our label and our winery floorplans, and pictures of both should be up for comment shortly.
To be continued… Click here to see the most recent posts
If you would like to stay up to date with us and also be informed when our inaugural vintage is ready for purchase, please join our mailing list.
Thanks for this summary, I have been looking for that. I discovered your blog a week ago and plan on reading it regularly (hurray for rss). From the Netherlands, it is very interesting to follow the proces of starting a winery in California. I wish you lots of succes, good wine, good reviews and off course a healthy child in a few months
Bye from overseas,
Mariëlla
Thanks for the kind words Mariëlla! Glad the summary helped. What part of the Netherlands are you from, babelfish is having trouble with some of the translation?
-Josh
Found it interesting that we tread a similar path.
Good Luck with your endeaver.
Fred
Hi Josh, I’m from the middle part of the Netherlands, a town called Utrecht. What’s that about Babelfish? Did you try to translate my blog? I’m honored
A friend once suggested that I put English summaries in my blog, to ‘internationalize’, but I’m haven’t got quite the time for it.
I’ve noticed that those programs don’t know their Dutch much: my daughter has a penpal in Pennsylvania, and I tried one of those translation programs for her once… . We laughed a lot after the result came through. Translating it yourself is much better.
Josh, you’re the inspiration I’ve been looking for! Like you, my motivation is to create a family legacy…one that I can build from the ground up. I’m a new father (our son just turned a year old) and it’s made me completely re-examine my life and priorities. My wife and I married right out of college and we’ll be celebrating year #16! My job takes me away from my family 50-60% of the time and I want to change that. My dream is to own a winery. I just discovered your blog and will check-in frequently. I wish you and your family success and happiness in your venture…can’t wait to try a bottle of Capozzi Pinot!
Bill,
Sorry for such a late reponse. Thanks so much for the kind and uplifting words. Obviously I can completely relate to the Call of the Vines and soon like you I’ll be a father. It will be interesting to see how the next few years will change us.
Best of luck on your dream, and keep me posted on your progress (however slow).
Josh
Am dreaming of starting a winery of Isabella grapes on the dry side of Oahu, HI. Have almost two acres of pretty cultivatable land. Heard they have grape arbors/bowers in Portugal, while grapes are planted on wires in Nappa Valley.
Hello, my name is Gary. I live in Indiana. I have wanted to start a winery for along time, but haven’t done so. Probably, because I’m lazy. I have five acres and I am wondering if this might be enought to get a winery stared. I have five children, four at home. that’s a built-in work force. Ha! Ha! Well, I wish you all the best. My God bless you and family.
In christ,
Gary
Hi there Josh your doing what most of us would like to try to do… I just started My own small scale winery only I am testing the grapes out first to see how well they do here in Montague,CA . There are a few Wineries here and seem to be doing ok. I only have 20 Acres ,and not alot of money to do this so (i am working on this with help from friends ,and will hire worker when needed. Good luck with everything …God Bless .
Jim
Hey Josh;
As a wine kinnavasewer (yeah, I drink a lot of wine), I decided it was high time to start making my own. Problem is we have just a smidge over an acre in a drought-prone mountain comunity (Idyllwild, CA). Never fear – I can buy grape pretty much anywhere – good grape to boot! I mean Temecula, Cucamonga, all of the way up to Lodi (I just cannot see driving much further with such a precious cargo).
My ‘07 Sauv Blanc and ‘07 Pinot Grigio came out nicely.
My wife retires from CalState Fullerton in 2-1/2 years and so I have a limited time to get a ATF permitted 200gallons/yr started as a home wine maker then to get to boutique after getting full permits. I also have to negotiate Riverside County’s regs as well.
It is somewhat challenging dealing with county, state and fed. I am sure you know full well about that.
One thing I will say, it is certainly easier doing red than white – especially climate control.
If you do well with your grape and you have excess you are considering cutting loose, I’d like to talk to you about a ton at a time.
Good luck on your project!
Best Regards,
Chris
Hey Josh,
I have to say I love your label. I am from New York and am always interested in the image of insignias and names. I think you have chosen a name that connotates classiness and style in which it is presented shows has a simple elgance.
Lots of luck,
Rachel
Keep up the good work guys!
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