The colorful Rochioli story as told to me by Joe Rochioli is detailed in depth in Volume 4, Issue 42 of the PinotFile.

The first viable Pinot Noir crop from the ranch was in 1971. In 1976 Joe made 1,000 cases of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at Davis Bynum under the Fenton Acres label. In 1979 he sold some West Block Pinot Noir to Williams Selyem who later made Rochioli Vineyard famous (since 1998, Williams Selyem only receives Pinot Noir from River Block). Gary Farrell, the winemaker at Davis Bynum, made 50 cases of Rochioli Pinot Noir from West Block and Allen Vineyard in 1982 which launched his Gary Farrell label. Also, in 1982 Farrell made 150 cases of Pinot Noir for Rochioli to launch the Rochioli brand. Shortly after this, Joe’s son, Tom, returned from the business world, disenchanted with his job, and joined the farm. He used his business acumen to build a 10,000 case winery which was constructed on the estate in 1985. A winemaker was hired, but after the first year, Tom took over and has made the wines ever since. Tom is a self-taught winemaker who never took any formal schooling in winemaking. Joe lives on the property in a house on the hill above the estate which Joe built entirely himself over a two year period.

The plantings are divided into blocks and block-designated Pinot Noirs are produced in addition to an appellation wine (The appellation Pinot Noir is labeled Rochioli and the block-designates are labeled J.Rochioli). The blocks include West and East (being pulled out due to diseases in the mid 2000s), Riverblock, Three Corner, Little Hill, and the newest plantings, Sweetwater. The Ranch now consists of 162 acres, of which 128 are planted to vines, 64 acres to Pinot Noir.

The single-vineyard and block-designated wines are sold through a mailing list ("The List"). The Rochioli Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, some of the Chardonnays, and the Sauvignon Blanc are also sold through the tasting room with some retail and restaurant distribution. The tasting room at 6192 Westside Road is a popular spot for tourists and is open Thursday through Monday. Total production is 13,000 cases of the three varietals. 707-433-2358.