johntylerwines.com

The 4th Generation

April 26, 2013 by  
Filed under Day to day, Family History

Nicci and StellaBaby News!

2013 has started off as a very exciting and blessed year for our family. On February 1st at 11:36 a.m. we welcomed the 4th generation, Stella Marie Dericco. Born happy and healthy at exactly 7lbs and 19 inches both baby and mom, Nicole are doing well. Our family would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you for all your well wishes and congratulations on our newest addition!

The Bacigalupi Family and John Tyler Wines release special bottling in memory of wine country icon.

December 23, 2011 by  
Filed under Family History

John Tyler releases their inaugural vintage of 2008 Russian River Petite Sirah, as a perfect pairing for Christmas and remembering family. This Petite Sirah bottling is not just any new wine release. Winemaker, Tyler Heck wanted to pay tribute to his late grandmother, Anna Marie Heck. The wine was dedicated in her honor, Anna was also the wife of Paul Heck co-proprietor of Korbel Champagne Cellars, she spent much of her life living at the winery and raising a family there.

“She was his rock” states Pam Bacigalupi, Anna Marie’s daughter and, co-owner of John Tyler Wines. “We lived at the winery in Guerneville; I have found memories of growing up there with my brothers. Mom would always be at dad’s side when he was entertaining at the winery, she was his support system. You know the saying: behind every great man there is a great women, I think that really sums up their relationship. “

Pam and her husband John, joined with Pam’s nephew Tyler Heck in 2002 and formed John Tyler Wines. They recently opened a tasting room off Westside Road in Russian River Valley to showcase their wines.

“It was Tyler’s idea to dedicate the wine to Mom. I think we have all been inspired in some way by her. As his wife, Mom was an advocate for my Dad in the industry. She wanted the family to have a successful future. I think one of her most memorable events at Korbel was the Look Magazine photo shoot with the three brothers and their wives. Dad and his two brothers, Adolf and Ben had a feature on the cover and their wives were on a page inside. Mom wore a suede full length coat. It was quite the gathering with Richie, Dof’s wife and Natalie, Ben’s wife. That was probably one of mom’s most glamorous times. “

Anna had a special bond with her grandchildren, especially Tyler. “They spent a lot of time together when Tyler was little. She used to say a quote to him, it started when he was about two, and you know how two year olds can be, wanting everything under the sun. She used to tell him “Tyler, life isn’t always a bowl of cherries, sometimes it’s the pits.” That was probably his first life lesson. We put that saying on the back label, it’s a good reminder that life isn’t always what you expect it to be.”

As Paul’s wife, Anna was a constant advocate for the growth of the wine industry in Sonoma County. Her common sense and solid spiritual approach to life were an inspiration to all who knew her.

“This is a special offering that we want to share with others who are inspired by wine,” states Nicole Bacigalupi, one of Pam’s twin daughters who manages the tasting room. “I can’t wait to pour it for people and share my grandmother’s story.”

A Life Worth Living. Celebrating the birthday of Charles Bacigalupi~ A True Pinot Pioneer

September 9, 2010 by  
Filed under Family History

From left to right: Alvert, Natale, Charles and John Bacigalupi celebrating Natale's 100th birthday

Born on September 9th, 1924 my father, Charles Bacigalupi grew up on a quiet street in the suburbs of Santa Rosa, California. His mother, Olive Gaddini (Olie) was a homemaker and artist. His father, Albert Bacigalupi ran the local market named after the family; Bacigalupi Market, first established by his father Natale in the early 1900’s. 

As a child he attended the local schools all the way up to the Santa Rosa Junior College. His education plans were abruptly interrupted when he was drafted for WWII at the age of 18. He joined the navy and became a coreman, tending to the sick and injured overseas and on board naval ships. As a coreman he was assigned the duty of a dental assistant which helped to first spark his interest in the field of dentistry. He later joined the CB’s – a sub-section of the navy and helped build airstrips in the Pacific.

 After the war ended my Father returned home and finished his pre-requisites at the SRJC. It was in his final year at school where he first met Helen Long. Attending similar classes Helen had hopes of becoming a pharmacists– a field that was dominated by men during those days. Both my father and mother attended UCSF, living in San Francisco while finishing their degrees. Their relationship progressed and soon after they graduated in 1952 they were married. Coming back to Sonoma County they decided to settle in Healdsburg, a place that my Father had said he always wanted to live. He started his practice and soon acquired a list of devoted patients.

Charles farming in 1995

Always possessing a love of the land Dad had dreamed of once owning his own ranch. Hearing through the grapevine of some land for sale my parents made the drive out Westside Road and soon purchased a small plot of land, 121 acres to be exact with a quaint house in 1956. The land was mostly planted with prunes, cherries, and apples with a few acres of grapes; Golden Chaslis, Mission and Zinfandel. At the time my Dad didn’t know much about vineyards and grapes but he had a natural green thumb and enjoyed working outside. Through his dentist practice he got to know many of the local grape growers including one in particular; Paul Heck and his family. Paul and his brother Adolf had recently acquired Korbel Champagne Cellars in Guerneville. During his visits and taking the family in for regular check-ups they got to talking about vineyards. Paul advised my Dad to plant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. “It’s cooler over there in the valley, near the river”, he said. My Dad also heeded the advice of Bob Sission, another patient of his who at the time was the farm advisor for UC Davis. “Don’t they grow those over there in France?”, dad asked, having to write the names down to keep from forgetting them. Eventually he was able to obtain Pinot Noir and Chardonnay budwood from Karl Wente coming from France via the family’s old vineyard in Livermore.

Charles on his boat Keywadin

When he was not working with patients or in the vineyard my Dad could be found on the open water. An avid sailor he began sailing as a young child in Bodega Bay continuing his love of the ocean while he was in the navy and even racing in the San Francisco Bay.

Growing up some of my fondest memories is the time I spent shadowing my Father in the vineyards. A self taught grower he learned everything about vineyards from experience, trail and error. Over the past 50+ years my father has developed a reputation in the business of being a honest, hardworking man, always with a smile on his face. We have sold our grapes to countless wineries, from the big guys to the home winemakers, right across the street and across country. Just celebrating his 85th birthday my Dad can still be seen riding around on the 4-wheeler or driving the tractor during harvest. “It’s what keeps me young”, he tells people when asked why he still is not fully retired. “We’re so lucky to live here, I want to spend as much time out in the vineyards as I can.”

So in ending I want to wish the happiest of birthdays to my father, a man of wisdom who is aging like the finest wine, living his life and cherished by his family.
~John Bacigalupi

Capturing the Here and Now

March 24, 2009 by  
Filed under Family History

From left to right; Nicole, John, Pam, Helen, Charles and Katey Bacigalupi

It’s true that every family is different and with our lives being as busy as they are, it seems like as the days go by there is less and less time that we get to spend together. With work, the vineyards, projects, volunteering and other activities it is rare that we are all in the same spot at the same time. This is exactly why I jumped at the opportunity to get an updated family photo done other the day. While we have older photos available (circa 2002!) I felt that it was important to capture the moment in the here and now. Since starting this blog I carry a camera with me almost everywhere I go because you never know when a great photo will present itself. So when you have that minute at a family party, birthday or the holidays and you realize that you are all together, grab that camera!

Enjoying wine at any age, over 21 of course

March 19, 2009 by  
Filed under Family History

 There is much to say about millennials, their demographics and their impact on the wine industry. With the craze of Facebook, Wine 2.0 and Open Wine Consortiumwine and technology have blended to appeal to this audience. Millennials have now given Baby Boomers a run for their money (literally) as the largest consumers of wine to date. While I will undoubtedly agree that data in this age range proves that milennials are a valued force in the market today I can’t help but ask myself; what about our elders? Though they may not drink as often or as much, their years of experience has led them to wines that suit their pallets. Living in wine country I have had the pleasure to meet some of these pioneers who are now “older” but basically helped to build the industry and survived many hardships. They are the few founding families that still exist today and let me tell you, they still enjoy their wine.
With the massive changes in the wine industry over the last century from technology and marketing to modifications in winemaking techniques and large multinational corporations I wondered what one would say about wine today having been present through these times. I recently sat down with my Grandmother; Anna Marie Heck who will be 92 years old this year and has experienced first hand some of these changes. She lived a good part of her life at Korbel Champagne Cellars, raising her family and supporting her husband in his business endeavors. I talked with her about some of her memories from Korbel and what she thinks about the wine industry today.

Me:  About how many years have you been drinking wine?
Anna Marie: The first wine I recall drinking was a sweet red wine back in St. Louis, Mo. where I was born and raised. Wines back then didn’t really have the name of the grape on them. They were usually a blend of several types of grapes and they just called it “red wine”. I think I was around 20 years old when I first started to drink wine.

Me: What are your fondest memories from your time living at Korbel?
Anna Marie: Paul and I moved to Korbel in 1953, the year before my youngest daughter was born. Paul had just left his job as manager at the Italian Swiss Colony and purchased Korbel with his brother and Carl Wente. I remember a lot of good times by the pool house. Paul would have friends from the industry and family over and we would BBQ and have wine and champagne. The kids would play in the pool or go for rides in the jeeps, it was a fun time.

Me: What do you like most about wine?
Anna Marie: I like how it brings people together, it’s something that can be enjoyed by family and friends around the table with a meal. I also like the history behind it. People have been drinking and celebrating with wine for centuries.

Me: What do you think have been the biggest changes in the wine industry during your lifetime?
Anna Marie: I have seen the wine industry expand more than I ever thought it would. Now many countries produce wine that didn’t before. Also the technology used in wineries is far more advanced then what we used and I think better wine is being made today because of that.

Me: What are your hopes for the wine industry in the future?
Anna Marie: Well that people continue to enjoy and drink wine and that it brings family and friends together.

So while there is no doubt that milennials are vital consumers of wine today, lets not forget that wine can be enjoyed at any age…..over 21 and including 92.

Who else makes a Bacigalupi vineyard designate?

March 2, 2009 by  
Filed under Family History

From their 53 years in the wine making and grape growing business, my grandparents Charles and Helen have collected quite a variety of wine from over the years. From these years in the industry, we have also sold grapes to over approximately 50 wineries and wine producers ranging from Northern California and Napa Valley to Manhattan. With all this history, I thought it might be fun to do some detective work and raid my grandparents wine collection.  Their cellar isn’t fancy by any means and although humble in appearance it holds some real gems and resembles their 53 years in the business. Here is a closer look at some of the wineries that have produced Bacigalupi vineyard designate wines: past and present.

Most recently– during the 2008 harvest–we sold a Dijion clone Pinot Noir to City Winery located in downtown Manhattan. City Winery gives urban wine enthusiasts the opportunity to craft their own wine without even leaving Manhattan. The opening of this winerymarks the first time that wine has been produced in Manhattan since the repeal of prohibition.

Possibly even more recognizable is Rudd in Napa Valley. For the past decade Rudd has purchased the famed Paris tasting block of Chardonnay and produced a vineyard designate under their label. These same vines were the source of the legendary 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay. Winemaker Charles Thomas creates a chardonnay that is truly old world in character.

 

Perhaps as identifiable is Williams Selyem–located right up the road from us in Russian River Valley. With a waiting list for their wines at just over a year, this producer of small lot Zinfandels and Pinot Noirs has been purchasing fruit from our vineyards for the past nine years.

 

 

 

Another great winery, also located on Westside Road is Armida. Co-owner Bruce Cousins is so easy to work with because he understands the importance of cultivating relationships with growers and has been producing a Bacigalupi Pinot Noir for the past five years.

Recently crafted from winemaker Danny Glover along with the support of friends Nora and Curt Cravens was born the venture of Glover Cravens Wines. It was a long time dream of Danny’s to create a great Pinot Noir and in 2006 he purchased a ton of Pinot Noir from our Frost Ranch vineyard.  His inaugural vintage is now released.

Foppiano Petite Sirah

Known for their Petite Sirah production as well as being one of the oldest still family owned wineries in Sonoma County,  the Foppiano‘s have purchased petite sirah grapes from my grandparents for many years. Over this time our two families developed friendships that span over several generations and is still present today.

For several years during the 1980′s Belevedere Winery produced a Chardonnay with the Bacigalupi Vineyard designate. The winery was sold recently and was re-named C. Donatiello but my grandparents still have a few bottles left with the old label.

 

What is your favorite wine from the Bacigalupi Vineyards?

What’s in a name? Well….quite a lot

February 6, 2009 by  
Filed under Family History

Natale Bacigalupi's General Store circa 1906

My great, great Grandfather was the brave immigrant, leaving home to travel to places unknown in search of a new life. Natale Bacigalupi was born in 1861 in a small town in the province of Genoa; Italy in the region Liguria called Cicanga. He came to the US in 1875 as a young boy and settled in San Francisco. Natale’s last name was originally Bacigalupo but changed it to the plural spelling (Bacigalupi) once in California.

For a short while he worked in the vegetable fields (I know–vegetable fields near SF?? who would have thought?). Soon enough he saved some money and bought a small fishing boat. Using the skills he learned in Cicagna as a fisherman he started fishing in the SF bay, selling his catches every morning to the fish market. After several years he made the trip north to Santa Rosa. Here, he did a variety of trades including running a shoe store, a coal yard and finally opening up the family market, following the earthquake of 1906.

He named the store N. Bachigalupi, Groceries and Provisions at 4th and Davis St. Over a period of time he also purchased land in Sonoma County, mostly apple orchards and several acres of vineyards. Natale was also on the board of the first Bank of America branch in Sonoma County. Natale and his sister ran the store together until one of his sons Al and my great grandfather took it over at the ripe age of 17.

I was lucky enough to visit Cicanga on my semester abroad in Italy. The town is mostly a small village, very reminiscent of what I think Healdsburg would be like if it was an old Italian town. Good thing I had learned plenty of Italian because the people did not speak much English. The town was small with several houses, a library and a river running through it. I spent some time walking around the town, trying to imagine what it must have been like for my great great grandfather to live there. Bacigalupi, like many Italian based names translates into a meaning or saying. “Bacio” is kiss and “lupo” is wolf, put it all together and you get…. kiss of the wolf. 

Four Generations. From left: Al, Natale, Charles and John Bacigalupi (age 4). Photo was taken at Natale's 100th birthday.

I am lucky enough to have a  fantastic generational photo of my father, his father, grandfather and great grandfather. Four generations of our family all together in one photo. Pretty amazing!

My grandfather at Korbel

January 22, 2009 by  
Filed under Family History

paul-heck-at-korbelThis March my grandfather, Paul Heck would have turned 91 years old. Even though I never met him there are things about his life and the way that he did business in the wine industry that I try in emulate in my own actions as I learn “the ropes.”
I think that what most people want to do in life. They want to find a craft, something that they are really good at, try to find a way to earn a living practicing that craft and find someone to share it with. Let’s face it, life doesn’t mean much if you can’t share it with the ones you love.
Finally and most importantly is to leave something behind for the next generation to carry on with.  In his forward thinking and love of the wine industry, my grandfather saw an opportunity in purchasing Korbel from the Korbel brothers.
The Korbel brothers first produced wine in 1881. In early 1954 Anton and Leo Korbel and the other members of the Korbel family sold the corporation to Adolf L. and Paul R. Heck, brothers and wine makers, originally from St. Louis and formerly president and production manager of Italian Swiss Colony. Adolf Heck became president of Korbel as well as the winemaker and Paul Heck, the executive vice-president.

Left to right: Pierre Jalbert, Ben Heck, Paul Heck

Life at Korbel was never dull, in fact Combat! (a popular TV series from the 1960s ) filmed a sequence at the winery. My grandfather and  brothers, were happy to host the cast and crew. The cast of Combat!enjoyed their trips to Korbel, especially since my grandpa  provided them with wine and started their mornings with Mimosas, which explains many of the expressions in these photos.

One benefit that Korbel received from hosting the episodes on their property was free demolition. There were a lot of old redwood stumps that my grandfather wanted removed to plant vineyard. So during filming that is exactly what you see. So, when next you view an episode filmed at Korbel and see one of the spectacular explosions, you’ll know that those flying splinters are not European Oak, but California Redwood.

Working wine sisters

January 15, 2009 by  
Filed under Family History

Tractor Playtime

Katey and Nicci Bacigalupi at the age of two

In launching a new (and improved) website I have been combing the house looking through old pictures, trying to find photos that really represent our family and who we are. I came across this one of Nicci and me. It was taken in October 1985 so we were about 2 years old. Growing up on a ranch we were destined to be cowgirls. Climbing trees, scraping knees and chasing lizards; as you can see we got introduced to all that at very young age. I can remember the one day I got stuck in the tree outside our house. I climbed up this very large walnut tree we have in our yard. I was so focused on getting to the middle of the branch that after I had got there I realized I had no way to get down. I couldn’t turn around to climb back down and it was too high to jump. I was so scared, but I waited until my dad got home and he could get a ladder and help me down.

Family businesses aren’t easy, in fact I would definitely take bets that they are way harder to work in then just hiring a bunch of people that you don’t know. But can they can be very successful; look at the Gallo’s, the Foppiano’s and the Seghesio’s, all family run wineries that have been around for nearly a decade. It is true that sisterly love is very strong, and probably the strongest of them all are twins. Over the 25 years of our existence we have learned how we are very different and how we are frighteningly the same. Working for the family business has been both of our dreams for a very long time. We realize the opportunity put before us and are anxious to learn the inevitable up’s and down’s of the business. But finding this picture helps to bring back the simple thoughts of life. When you were two years old and the highlight of the day was getting a ride on the tractor.

Family business: how we do it!

October 21, 2008 by  
Filed under Family History

This is a photo of my grandfather Paul Heck in the vineyard with his favorite horse Pinot. Many people ask me how I can work in a family business. We have all seen and heard the unfortunate stories of families that have big dreams for a business and in the end just can’t seem to make it work. Mondavi Family ring a bell on this one?

I think the first and most important things you must do is always treat the family business as though it was not family at all.  You should not run your family business any different than you would run any other business. There can’t be any “cutting corners” so to speak. Everything must be kept up to date and accurate. There can be no favoring, my sister and I both work together and do a variety of the same jobs. Her job is no more important than mine.

You must also try to keep emotions out of the picture, I think this is the hard one. When you build a business as a family there are so many more emotional ties to it. Some people have ego tied in as well, and have a hard time admitting when things aren’t going well. They don’t want to be seen as a failure. But if you can manage to keep these things in tact, you are on your way to being able to work together and succeed.

I myself often wonder what it is about being in business with family that can sometimes make it harder to succeed. I work with my sister, mom, dad, cousin and winemaker Tyler and both my grandparents on some occasion. I guess it can be frustrating when not only does everyone have their own opinion about how things should be run, but because this is your business you are more emotionally tied to it than you would be if you were working for someone else. There is that element of extreme passion to make things succeed.

We have quite a history of family businesses. My grandfather, Paul Heck and his brother Adolf bought Korbel Champange Cellars from the Korbel Bros in the early 1950′s. As a family, they reinvented the Korbel name, producing higher end champagne and even started making still wine and brandy. My mom was the youngest of 3 when they lived at the winery and remembers having a childhood full of family and good times. The family had reached great success, I think both men After reaching great success some members of the family became greedy and suffered from problems with alcohol. However it was after an affair, corruption within the family and money issues that there was no mending the problems that had occurred in the 40+ years of business.

Even though he died before I was born, I have learned a lot from my grandpa Paul. I hope that my sister and I will learn from what happened with Korbel to become positive family leaders with our new family venture, John Tyler. I love working with my family, every day I feel like I am providing a service to the legacy that my grandparents and parents have created.

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