Tedeschi Winery Review — The Americana Post

When I think of ultimate warmth and comfort, the word “family” springs to my mind. I grew up with very traditional Maltese grandparents, and its culture is ingrained into every fiber of who I am today. When I think back to growing up in a Maltese/Italian household, I see warmth, laughter, structure and the ultimate feeling of being welcomed by smiling faces creased with happiness (and a handful of animated hand gestures).

Walking into the quaint winery of Tedeschi brought back all those feelings of coming home and belonging. Family is at the heart and soul of this establishment. Comfort and peace are two overwhelming feelings of being here. I entered a quaint garden through an arched trellis which housed stacks of barrels, a brick pizza oven and a long family style table warmed by the autumn sunlight. There, I was greeted by Emil Tedeschi, his son, Emilio Tedeschi, and Emil’s sister, Aunt Frances Tedeschi. Instantly, the Tedeschi’s made me feel like I was one of their own. My cousin, Gina (cousin to the Tedeschi’s) and I took a stroll with Frances and Emilio into the tasting room, stacked high with barrels baring it’s memorable “T” logo. Frances walked us through the tasting room, pointing at old photos on the walls and regaling us with her family history.

In 1919, the first generation of the Tedeschi family emigrated from Italy to California. They started a company which assisted in the lettering and pin-striping of Wells Fargo stage coaches. Later that year, the Tedeschi’s moved to Calistoga. Eugene and Ann Tedeschi purchased their home in the 1950’s which is where the current estate sits amid fruit and nut trees. He had two children, Emil and Frances, who still assist in the running of the current operations. Eugene planted the first grape vines on their property in the 1960’s nestled between the fruit trees, to further add to the property’s beauty. Here he planted rows of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah varieties. Eugene’s son, Emil, moved to Hawaii in 1974, co-founding another Tedeschi Vineyard, quickly gaining as much prestige in Hawaii as its flagship in California.

In 1991, Emil moved his family back to Calistoga and redeveloped the lands with his sons, Mario and Emilio, and daughter, Elaine. Together, as a family, they continue to run the winery and further develop craft wines to share with friends and family. Today, the Tedeschi’s produce about 2,000 cases a year, including award winning vintages.

The winery tour and tasting is by appointment only, but Emilio encourages you to call regardless as they do their best to accommodate passer-by’s. The jewel of this winery lays behind the tasting room. Fall was the perfect time to visit as the season encased the rolling landscape in its full golden splendor. Wooden lounge chairs face rows of firey orange, red and yellow leaves that blow gently in a soft breeze. Walnut trees overhead drop their bounty to the leaf strewn earth below. Frances shows us her rolling mechanism to collect the freshly dropped walnuts.

We then strolled back to the garden area to taste some wine. As we sipped on their lovingly curated wines, the Tedeschi’s lounged back and chatted about summer times as children exploring the property. The 2018 Rosé was crisp and refreshing with light strawberry notes that dance upon the tongue, finishing with a light minerality. This bottle sells for $30. We then moved on to a moscato-like white wine named “Aunt Fran’s Pick.” Unlike most moscato’s, Aunt Fran’s Pick isn’t overpoweringly sweet. It is bright, and bursting with citrus flavors, orange being at the forefront not just on the tongue but on the nose as well. There is a hint of sweetness that ends gracefully with a light astringency. It is an aptly named wine that does Aunt Fran justice - being just as bright, fresh and sweet as its namesake. Aunt Fran’s Pick is $26 per bottle. At that price, stock up and enjoy this bottle with friends over the upcoming holiday season.

The reds were tantalizing with warm, spice-like tasting notes that mirror the current fall season. The 2015 Merlot was velvety smooth with notes of dark fruit and cassis that envelop your taste buds for a long, silky smooth finish. The 2015 Merlot is $56. Uncork this bottle for a special celebration! The 2012 Pinot Noir tingles your senses with a bouquet of spicy notes of tobacco and leather. The fruit forward, ruby colored Pinot is low in tannins and juicy. Unfortunately, the 2012 vintage is sold out. However, the 2015 vintage equally rivals its 2012 sibling and sells for $46. The Valdiguié is full of rich flavors of baking spices, black cherry, plums and hints of vanilla and oak. Valdiguié is a red wine grape primarily grown in the southern region of France. In California, this grape is known as Napa Gamay. This richly flavored bottle sells for $38.

These wines are far beyond fairly-priced for their quality, as well as the experience, warmth and generosity you’ll receive upon visiting the Tedeschi Family Winery. Tedeschi stands out for more than just their wines. The events held at the estate, are freshly fun and one of the unique benefits of their wine club. Wine Club members receive either complimentary or discounted tickets to these events. Don’t fear, even if you are not a wine club member, you can still purchase tickets. These events include a fall release party with handmade pizzas, a lobster feast, and the wine maker dinner in their vineyard below glowing strings of lights.

Their wine is only available from the winery itself or via their Wine Club. Their “Tedeschi Family Club” level includes four bottles, three times a year for an average of $145. The “Chillin’ Club” offers a mixed six pack of whites, rosés and white dessert wines twice a year for an average of $160. The “Keep It Red, Fred” tier gives you 6 bottles of red wines twice a year, for an average price of $250 per shipment. Lastly, the “La Prima Fila" Case Club offers a shipment of a mixed selection of twelve bottles twice a year at approximately $460 per shipment. Each tier offers 20% off retail products and discounts to their special events. Tastings are also complimentary with these memberships.

Do you have the last name Tedeschi? As part of the Tedeschi’s extended family, you’ll receive 10% off logo’d items, $10 off the shipping of two or more bottles, and a complimentary tour and tasting for two at their Calistoga winery.

Lastly, a service that Tedeschi offers is private, off-site tastings at a location of your choosing. What a way to up your game at the next holiday party, right?! Inquire via their phone number below for pricing.

Visit the Tedeschi Family Winery at 2779 Grant Street, Calistoga, CA. Be sure to call ahead and make an appointment at (707) 501-0668 .

Catch up on their events and perks at www.tedeschifamilywinery.com