GROWERS PROFILE
The Sangiacomo Family
Legacy, Quality and Sustainability
The Sangiacomo Family started farming in Sonoma in 1927. Today, three generations of the family live on or near the vineyards and are involved in virtually every aspect of the family business.
For the Sangiacomo family, a legacy of hard work, quality production and family business has been central to daily life in Sonoma County for three generations. In 1927, Maria and Vittorio Sangiacomo settled in Sonoma on the family’s “home ranch,” having migrated to the area from Italy. Originally, the family farmed pears, apples and prunes and had four children who grew up on the ranch and began farming in their early years. Over time and with help from many family members, they transitioned the produce farms to vineyards, which ultimately led to huge growth of the business.
For over 90 years, farming has been a daily way of life for the Sangiacomo family. Today, the third generation of family members are heavily involved with day-to-day operations of the evolving business. This includes the (adult) children of Angelo and Diane Sangiacomo who are all committed to ensuring the family legacy continues for future generations: Mike Sangiacomo, Steve Sangiacomo, Mia Pucci and son-in-law Mike Pucci.
“We are constantly working to improve quality. That work never ends. ”
Over 50 years after planting their first vineyard on the ranch, many of the same practices that resulted in a reputation of high-quality, sustainable winegrapes are in place today.
The Sangiacomo Family mission: to sustainably farm with Mother Nature to grow world-class winegrapes and craft wines of intensity and balance from our very best vineyard sites, guides decisions in the vineyard and ensures that the priorities continue to include a focus on quality as well as environmentally conscientious farming practices, sound business acumen and treating employees, clients and community with the highest levels of respect and consideration. The family’s winegrowing expertise and the willingness to “custom farm” to meet the needs of each winery client has been proven many times over the years, with “Sangiacomo Vineyards” being one of the first vineyards in Sonoma County to be recognized with a vineyard-designated wine, and having been recognized on labels by over 35 different wineries over the years.
In 2015, all Sangiacomo vineyards county-wide were certified sustainable by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA). This includes over 1600 acres of winegrapes grown primarily in Sonoma Valley, Petaluma Gap, Carneros and Sonoma Coast. In 2018, the family released the first vintage of their namesake wine, featuring small-production, hand-crafted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the best of the family’s estate vineyards.
“We love what we do and we now have the opportunity to share our wines at the table.”
“We want to create wines that express our vision through our vineyards,” says Steve Sangiacomo. “For 50 years our family has grown Chardonnay and Pinot grapes for some of the finest wineries in California. We love what we do and we now have the opportunity to share our wines at the table.” In addition, the third generation launched a wine brand to honor the family’s rich history in Sonoma County, as well as create a legacy for generations to come. As the next generation grows up, the family hopes to create new opportunities for them to continue participating in the family business.
“The Sangiacomo Family are pillars of our grape growing community,” said Sonoma County Winegrowers President Karissa Kruse, “they were early leaders of sustainability in their vineyards and in using the sustainable winegrowing label to reach consumers. Steve Sangiacomo is a long-term board member of the Sonoma County Winegrowers, the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation and a member of the Sonoma County Center for Ag Sustainability. Mike Sangiacomo served for many years on the board of CSWA. The family’s generosity has helped support a number of critical programs for our farmworkers and their families. We are honored to work closely with the Sangiacomo family as they continue their legacy of quality, sustainable grapegrowing.”
Here are a few more fun facts about the Sangiacomo family:
How many acres of grapes do you farm? Where are they?
We farm over 1,600 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the county, spread across fifteen different vineyards in four AVAs: Carneros, Sonoma Coast, Petaluma Gap and Sonoma Valley.
What special tradition or memory does your family have?
We often get together over a family breakfast before a long day of work, that’s a special one for the family.
Our other favorite tradition is our annual Chardonnay and Pinot Noir tasting with all of our winery clients. It’s a great opportunity to get together and hear how our winery partners felt about the most recent vintage.
How many wineries make wines from Sangiacomo grapes?
Many! We sell our grapes to over 85 wineries in both Sonoma and Napa Counties. Many of those wineries have been clients of ours for over 25 years.
How many wineries carry the Sangiacomo Vineyards designation?
Over 35 of our winery clients vineyard-designate. The first to carry it was in 1979 and that number has grown steadily ever since. We are very proud that so many of our clients feature our name on their wines.
