By Virginie Boone

Among the esteemed members of The Sonoma County Winegrowers Century Club, the Giusti family has been farming in Sonoma County since 1875. Originally from San Pelligrinetto, Italy (within the Tuscan province of Lucca), they settled in tiny Forestville, in the heart of the Russian River Valley.

Olives and grapes eventually led to prunes, cherries and apples, like so many other instances of Sonoma County’s agricultural legacy. Today, the family farms olives and grapes, with nine acres of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir planted in 2000 and 2007 across its 22-acre ranch.

The Giusti grapes have been vineyard designated for many years by Kosta Browne. A relatively warm site in the appellation (it’s often KB’s first pick of harvest), the Giusti vines are planted in Josephine Loam soils to 115, 667 and 777 clones.

His parents were Laura S. Giusti and Angelo Larry “Boots” Giusti. Mom was a member of the John B. Russel family, pioneer apple ranchers, and went to Analy High School. After her brother’s death she took over the family’s apple brokerage, Taylor Transport, in Sebastopol and Washington state, operating it with her husband. There were eight children in the next generation, including Kurt Giusti, who took the reins in preserving the family farming tradition in 2009.

Angelo passed away in 2019 at the age of 82, preceded in death by his wife and one of his sons, Kyle. Angelo worked his entire life at the Giusti Ranch and owned a local Body and Paint Shop in addition to serving 27 years with the Forestville Fire Department as a volunteer fireman and assistant fire chief.

He also helped other local farmers manage their apple orchards and was a 50-year member of the Sonoma County Trail Blazers, a local organization aiming to continue and promote “the cowboy way of life.”

His parents were Michele (1898-1963) and Rose (1910-1972) Giusti. Michele’s parents were Angelo (1858-1908) and Elisabetta “Lizzie” Celeri (1866-1937) Giusti. Angelo immigrated to America from Italy, as did Elisabetta in 1885, with her three brothers. Together they had five children, including Michele, who grew up on the ranch.

Michele had two older brothers, Frank and Tony. Frank was also a farmer in Forestville.

Giusti Ranch has a 4-bedroom vacation home on its property that was featured on a CBS show called “Staycation!” that highlights the best vacation rentals in the world. The Napa/Sonoma episode aired October 31, 2021, while newer shows called “Wine & Dine Pt. 1: Sip & Stay” and “Wine & Dine Pt. 2: Wine Country Escapes” aired last month.

Raise a glass to yet another pioneering Sonoma County farming family and worthy members of the Sonoma County Winegrowers Century Club.