Pellegrini Wine Company: A Russian River Valley Winery for the Ages

The morning of our third day in Sonoma wine country was greeted with anticipation. Melanie Ofenloch (Dallas Wine Chick) and I had spent the last two days relishing in the Bacchus-worthy bounty of the Dry Creek Valley. We had stayed and tasted glorious wines at Lambert Bridge Winery then explored the exceptional selections at Arista Winery and Mauritson Wines while enjoying sweeping views of the Russian River Valley and memorable conversation. But that morning, it was time to pack our bags and move to the host hotel of the Wine Blogger’s Conference, a three-day festivus of learning, tasting, and camaraderie. First, though, we were excited to have one last swirl and sip, this time at Pellegrini Wine Company (4055 West Olivet Road, Santa Rosa).

After enjoying a few notable wines from Pellegrini several months ago in Chicago, I knew that a trip should be in order upon my next visit to the area. I contacted charming Alexia Pellegrini who was thrilled to arrange a tour, tasting, and lunch for our group of four wine writers: Melanie, Thea Dwelle, Megan Kenney, and me. Since 2017, Alexia, fourth generation family member, has been at the helm of the family business; she oversees and guides business operations which include running the winery and the management of the vineyard. I was honored that she would carve out a time from her busy schedule for us.

As soon as we entered the property, I was impressed with the line of olive trees leading to the entrance and the casual, welcoming environment of the tasting room. And the vinyl (yes!) that was prominently displayed at the entrance? I felt like kicking off my shoes, throwing on a cowboy hat and boots, listening to some throwback tunes, and chilling…with wines of course! But Alexia had already beaten me to it…she had already felt the vibe!

With a glass of dazzling 2015 Pellegrini Unoaked Chardonnay ($25) in hand, we followed Alexia as she led us on a tour of the Olivet Lane Vineyard and barrel room.

In 1973, this former 70-acre apple and plum orchard on West Olivet Road was purchased by the Pellegriini family. It was converted to a vineyard in 1975. Alexia shared that this property is “one of the oldest existing Pinot vineyards in the Russian River Valley”; its Pinot Noir is revered as a classic example of the appellation.

The Russian River Valley is unique thanks to the influences of the Pacific Ocean. Specifically, the Olivet Lane Vineyard benefits from the maritime fog sweeping up from the ocean through the Petaluma Gap from the south. This blanket of lingering fog protects the vineyards from the evening through the morning hours. Cool nights help lengthen the growing season, so that grapes have the chance to ripen slowly and develop optimal flavor and acidity.  The Vineyard, at 150 feet elevation, is located east and above the low-lying Laguna de Santa Rosa plain region and is atop well-drained, gravelly, clay loam soil.

Sixty acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are under vine at Olivet Lane Vineyard. Alexia explained that their focus is “to grow the finest expressions of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from forty-five-year old vines”. Techniques used to produce the wines include hand harvesting at dawn. The grapes are placed in small bins and taken to the winery for hand sorting – a quality control strategy so that only the finest grapes are used in their wines. After sorting, the Olivet Lane Chardonnay grapes are whole cluster pressed and both primary and malolactic fermentation take place in the barrel. The Olivet Lane Pinot Noir grapes are selected and de-stemmed by hand. Fermentation is delayed by chilling in order for a five-day span of cold-soak so that extraction of color and flavor from the skins is evident. At the completion of fermentation, the wine is drained into the barrel and aged over 16 months.

And the delicious wines from the Pellegrini Wine Company label? Selections of vineyard-designated Pinot Noir as well as Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and Sauvignon Blanc are crafted from grapes sourced from prime vineyards in the Russian River Valley and Sonoma County…including those from the Olivet Lane Vineyard. The goal is to produce wines that “emphasize balance over power and exhibit regional characteristics representative of the appellations”.

Satiated with plenty of backstory about the vineyard, it was time for lunch…with a side of family history.

An array of gourmet sandwiches, homemade potato chips, a savory salad, lively conversation, and plenty of wines were just what we needed to pair with the story of the Pellegrini family.

Alexia shared that in the early 1900s, Nello and Gino Pellegrini emigrated from Tuscany to New York City; from there, they found their way to California. By 1925, they became Sonoma County grape merchants and shipped grapes to locations in the United States to those who engaged in home winemaking. When Prohibition was repealed, the Pellegrini brothers established their first bonded winery: the original Pellegrini Wine Company.

In 1973, Nello’s son Vincent and his wife Aida, purchased the Olivet Lane property and in 2001, the family built the present-day winery. The tasting room has many artifacts from Pellegrini family lore…when you visit, promise to appreciate the fascinating history of this special family, one that, since the early 20th century, has engaged in every facet of the wine business: producers, grape sellers, importers, and wholesale distributors.

And those wines!

Our first sip with lunch was of the 2014 Olivet Lane Vineyard Chardonnay ($45), a rich, balanced wine that burst with elegance and bright acidity. Aromas of tropical fruit, golden apple, baking spices, and honey led to flavors of juicy pineapple, mango, and lemons and a lasting finish. Next, the 2014 Olivet Lane Vineyard Pinot Noir ($65) was stunning. Enticing aromas of dark red fruit and a touch of allspice and nutmeg prompted me to have that first sip. Its gentle tannins were in harmony with the just-right acidity and creamy flavors of black cherries, ripe strawberries, and spice. The finish lingered…

I savored every sip of the 2013 Pellegrini Zinfandel ($25). Alexia felt is a “classic cool-climate expression of Zinfandel” and I agree. On the nose and palate, I found plenty of dense and dark fruit, juicy raspberries, pepper, and exotic spice framed with lively acidity and graceful tannic structure.  Finally, the 2014 Pellegrini “Hurst Vineyard” Pinot Noir ($50) was another delicious complement to our lunch. Beautiful aromas of butterscotch, hazelnut, baking spice, rich purple fruit, and chocolate were a mesmerizing entry to flavors of black cherries and more chocolate enveloped with satin-like tannins and lifted by radiant acidity. The finish on the two wines from Pellegrini were long-lasting and utterly delightful.

If your visit to Pellegrini Wine Company is anything like mine (and rest assured, it will be!), you’ll be as captivated by Alexia, the Olivet Lane Vineyard, the stunning wines produced, and the story of this iconic Italian family. Thank you, Alexia!

Cheers! ~ Cindy

For Melanie’s article about our visit to the Pellegrini Wine Company, please click here.