Dec 30, 2022
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Martinelli Winery & Vineyards
| Owner(s) | Martinelli Family |
| Web site | www.martinelliwinery.com |
| Link to this site |
The Martinelli family are part of the historical fiber of the Russian River Valley. They have been growing grapes and apples in Sonoma since 1887, planting their first Pinot Noir in 1970. The family patriarch is Guiseppe Martinelli who, at the age of 19, along with Luisa Vellutini, age 16, made his way to California from Tuscany to find farmland and to start a winery.
Guiseppe had been a winemaker in Italy and with his viticulture knowledge, he was hired to plant a vineyard for a farmer in Forestville. Within two years, he earned enough money along with borrowed money from a local wood cutter to buy land of his own. Working side by side on a 60 degree slope, Guiseppe and Luisa planted Zinfandel and Muscat Alexandria vines in 1887 on a steep, non-terraced hillside that became known as Jackass Hill Vineyard. The name derived from their son Leno who said, "nobody but a jackass would plant a vineyard there." This famous vineyard is the steepest non-terraced vineyard in Sonoma County.
When Guiseppe died, he left his spouse Luisa with four children. The youngest son, Leno, was determined to be a farmer and carry on the family tradition and after finishing school, farmed the Jackass Hill Vineyard. Leno continued to work the land and tend vines until 1949 at the age of 89 and turned the vineyard over to his son, Lee Sr. Today, Lee Jr. maintains the vineyard, representing the fourth generation.
During the 1980s, Lee Martinelli Sr. converted the family's apple orchards to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, noting a decline in apple sales due to competition from Washington State.
Two historic hop barns that grace the estate property were converted into a tasting room and winery and, the Martinellis began producing Pinot Noir under their own label in 1993, with Helen Turley as the winemaker. She introduced new viticultural and cellar practices to the Martinelli family and all new vineyards were planted with the consultation of John Welaufer and Helen Turley. Over time, older vineyards have been transitioned to high-density plantings.
Lee Martinelli, Sr. along with his two sons, Lee Jr. and George, oversee the management of the Martinelli family vineyards. The Martinellis own 20 vineyards and 400 acres of prime vineyard land in the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast appellations. 75 acres are planted to Pinot Noir. The Matinellis sell more grapes - about 90 percent - than are used to make their own wines.
Bryan Kvamme a University California Davis-trained winemaker was Turley's assistant at Martinelli Winery beginning in 1997, and became the winemaker starting in 2008 (with Turley as consulting winemaker). Turley left in 2010 and Erin Greene became the consulting winemaker. Courtney Wagoner replaced Kyamme as winemaker in 2017. Natural native yeasts are used in fermentations and the wines are unfined and unfiltered.
Current production is 7,500 cases which includes nine Pinot Noirs (Bella Vigna, Blue Slide Ridge, Bondi Home Ranch, Martinelli Vineyard Reserve, Mooshine Ranch, Russian River Valley, Seven Mules Vineyard, Three Sisters Vineyard and Zio Tony Ranch). Other varieties include the well-known Jackass Vineyard Zinfandels, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Alexandria and Gewüztraminer. As many as 25 wines have been in release, most named after the ranch vineyard they came from.
The Martinellis first planted Pinot Noir in the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA in 1995 (about the time they began producing wine under the family name). Lee Martinelli Jr.'s grandfather, George Charles, planted Chardonnay there in 1981.
After 42 years as CEO, Lee Sr. stepped down in February 2015, and was replaced by David W. Hejl, formerly of Kosta Browne and became the new CEO and General Manager. Lee Sr. continues to participate in the vineyard farming, along with his two sons, Lee Jr. and George. His daughters, Regina and Julianna, maintain their leadership roles.
The Pinot Noirs are bold, fruit-driven and highly structured wines. They are sold primarily through a mailing list with some wines available through the tasting room.
A tasting room, located in the Martinelli's historic Hop Barn is open daily from 10:00 to 5:00. 3360 River Road, Windsor. An adjacent hop barn has been converted into a winery. 707-525-0570. The wines are sold through a mailing list with some bottlings available at the tasting room.
Articles About Martinelli Winery & Vineyards
Part II: History of Fort Ross-Seaview Area (9.28 8/14/2013)
Part III: Fort Ross-Seaview AVA Today (9.28 8/14/2013)
Part IV: Tasting Pinot Noir from the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA (9.28 8/14/2013)
Pinot Briefs (11.31 9/28/2018)
Recently Tasted Pinot Noir & Other Wines (11.17 1/20/2018)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir, Rosé & Chardonnay (10.8 4/20/2015)
Small Sips of California Pinot Noir: Just Drink It (7.3 10/1/2008)
Reviewed Wines
2015 Martinelli Bondi Home Ranch Water Trough Vineyard Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
15.4% alc., $70. 23 acres
of clones 114, “828,” 777, 667, 943 and Calera planted in Goldridge
sandy loam soil.
·
Very dark garnet color in the glass. Aromas of black
fruits, toast and vanilla creme. Full-bodied and luscious with copious
purple and blackberry flavors supported by complimentary oak. The
alcohol and tannins are well-integrated in this wine that could be
mistaken for a Zinfandel. Well-made in this style that pleases with a
slick and smooth mouthfeel.There is less acidity than wines from Green
Valley typically offer but there is enough to propel the wine. Noticeably
more mellow when tasted the following day from a previously opened
and re-corked bottle.
Score: 92.
Reviewed January 20, 2018
ARTICLE »
2015 Martinelli Zio Tony Ranch “Grace Nicole” Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
15.3% alc., $70. This
vineyard is named after Lee Martinelli Sr.’s uncle. Zico means “uncle” in Italian and is pronounced “tseo.” At
one time, this site was the largest apple orchard in Sonoma County. When Zico Tony passed away in 1971, his
nephew, Lee Martinelli, Sr., took over management of the estate. This 45-acre vineyard was planted to Pinot
Noir (115, 777 and “828”), Chardonnay and Syrah wine grapes in 2000, 2001 and 2006. Goldridge sandy loam
soil.
·
Dark garnet color in the glass. Reserved aromas of blackberry reduction sauce, spice, raisin and redwood
forest. A mid weight plus styled wine that has a bit more vibrancy than the Bondi Home Ranch bottling and
more Pinot charm. The sappy fruit flavors of blackberry and ollaliberry are engaged with a welcome spice note.
Very silky in the mouth, with good balance, finishing with willing intensity. Unchanged when tasted the following
day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle.
Score: 92.
Reviewed January 20, 2018
ARTICLE »
2012 Martinelli “Bella Vigna” Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 738 cases, $40.
·
Moderately light
reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, red plum and sweet oak lead to a mid weight core of red
and black cherry fruit. Very polished, with an aggressive oak overlay that dominates the finish. The fruit is
vibrant and well-ripened and the wine is blessed with soft tannins that make it very approachable.
Score: 89.
Reviewed April 20, 2015
ARTICLE »
2011 Martinelli Bella Vigna Sonoma County Chardonnay
14.4% alc., 384 cases, $40. One of the coolest
growing years on record in the last 30 years resulting in a late harvest.
·
Light golden yellow color in the glass.
Pleasing aromas of fresh-squeezed lemon, honey, briar and petrol. Somewhat creamy on the palate, with
catching flavors of lemon, poached pear, green apple, toast, burnt caramel and butterscotch.
Score: 89.
Reviewed April 20, 2015
ARTICLE »
2010 Martinelli Three Sisters Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.85, TA 0.59. 1100 feet elevation on
average, south and east aspect, 0-35% slope, clones Pommard, 115 and 777 on 101-14 and 3309 rootstocks,
Josephine and Goldridge soils. Average Brix 23.8º, 100% whole cluster, aged 10 months in 57% new French
oak.
·
Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Effusive aromas of black cherries and black
raspberries with generous notes of toasty oak. Oak-dominated core of plush, sappy dark red and black fruits
with a highly seductive, velvety mouth feel. Very ripe in character. Alcohol peaks out on the finish.
Reviewed August 14, 2013
ARTICLE »
2006 Martinelli Bondi Home Ranch Water Trough Vineyard Green Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., $70.
·
The
nose is loaded with oak toast and char which carries over on the palate. A rich core of dark fruits is quite
pleasing but the toasted oak accent just doesn’t appeal to me. The wine drank much better the next day from
a previously opened and re-corked bottle with more oak integration and a brighter display of fruit. At room
temperature, the finish is a bit hot. Decent.
Reviewed February 15, 2010
ARTICLE »
2001 Martinelli Bondi Home Ranch Water Trough Vineyard Green Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc..
·
Secondary aromas of rotting leaves and barnyard. Austere plumy fruit, mushrooms and leather. The tannins
are completely resolved and the wine is pleasingly soft. Drink up.
Reviewed October 1, 2008
ARTICLE »
2015 Martinelli Bondi Home Ranch Water Trough Vineyard Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
15.4% alc., $70. 23 acres of clones 114, “828,” 777, 667, 943 and Calera planted in Goldridge sandy loam soil. · Very dark garnet color in the glass. Aromas of black fruits, toast and vanilla creme. Full-bodied and luscious with copious purple and blackberry flavors supported by complimentary oak. The alcohol and tannins are well-integrated in this wine that could be mistaken for a Zinfandel. Well-made in this style that pleases with a slick and smooth mouthfeel.There is less acidity than wines from Green Valley typically offer but there is enough to propel the wine. Noticeably more mellow when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 92. Reviewed January 20, 2018 ARTICLE »
2015 Martinelli Zio Tony Ranch “Grace Nicole” Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
15.3% alc., $70. This vineyard is named after Lee Martinelli Sr.’s uncle. Zico means “uncle” in Italian and is pronounced “tseo.” At one time, this site was the largest apple orchard in Sonoma County. When Zico Tony passed away in 1971, his nephew, Lee Martinelli, Sr., took over management of the estate. This 45-acre vineyard was planted to Pinot Noir (115, 777 and “828”), Chardonnay and Syrah wine grapes in 2000, 2001 and 2006. Goldridge sandy loam soil. · Dark garnet color in the glass. Reserved aromas of blackberry reduction sauce, spice, raisin and redwood forest. A mid weight plus styled wine that has a bit more vibrancy than the Bondi Home Ranch bottling and more Pinot charm. The sappy fruit flavors of blackberry and ollaliberry are engaged with a welcome spice note. Very silky in the mouth, with good balance, finishing with willing intensity. Unchanged when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 92. Reviewed January 20, 2018 ARTICLE »
2012 Martinelli “Bella Vigna” Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 738 cases, $40. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, red plum and sweet oak lead to a mid weight core of red and black cherry fruit. Very polished, with an aggressive oak overlay that dominates the finish. The fruit is vibrant and well-ripened and the wine is blessed with soft tannins that make it very approachable. Score: 89. Reviewed April 20, 2015 ARTICLE »
2011 Martinelli Bella Vigna Sonoma County Chardonnay
14.4% alc., 384 cases, $40. One of the coolest growing years on record in the last 30 years resulting in a late harvest. · Light golden yellow color in the glass. Pleasing aromas of fresh-squeezed lemon, honey, briar and petrol. Somewhat creamy on the palate, with catching flavors of lemon, poached pear, green apple, toast, burnt caramel and butterscotch. Score: 89. Reviewed April 20, 2015 ARTICLE »
2010 Martinelli Three Sisters Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.85, TA 0.59. 1100 feet elevation on average, south and east aspect, 0-35% slope, clones Pommard, 115 and 777 on 101-14 and 3309 rootstocks, Josephine and Goldridge soils. Average Brix 23.8º, 100% whole cluster, aged 10 months in 57% new French oak. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Effusive aromas of black cherries and black raspberries with generous notes of toasty oak. Oak-dominated core of plush, sappy dark red and black fruits with a highly seductive, velvety mouth feel. Very ripe in character. Alcohol peaks out on the finish. Reviewed August 14, 2013 ARTICLE »
2006 Martinelli Bondi Home Ranch Water Trough Vineyard Green Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., $70. · The nose is loaded with oak toast and char which carries over on the palate. A rich core of dark fruits is quite pleasing but the toasted oak accent just doesn’t appeal to me. The wine drank much better the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle with more oak integration and a brighter display of fruit. At room temperature, the finish is a bit hot. Decent. Reviewed February 15, 2010 ARTICLE »
2001 Martinelli Bondi Home Ranch Water Trough Vineyard Green Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc.. · Secondary aromas of rotting leaves and barnyard. Austere plumy fruit, mushrooms and leather. The tannins are completely resolved and the wine is pleasingly soft. Drink up. Reviewed October 1, 2008 ARTICLE »