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Since
1922 the Bartolucci Family has consistently created
a perfect marriage of grapes and wine at Madonna Estate.
Located in the world-renowned Carneros region, an
area known for it’s fertile lands and cool climate,
the Bartolucci family has found success with their
organically grown grapes and Estate Bottled wines.
In addition to practicing natural farming methods,
they also combine traditional and modern winemaking
techniques. As the third oldest winemaking family
in the Napa Valley, it is important to them that they
continue the commitment to farm naturally and preserve
the winemaking traditions of past generations.
In
1912, Andrea “Andy” Bartolucci left Italy
and traveled to the United States. After a long journey
he arrived at Ellis Island and made his way to San
Francisco and worked on the French Exhibition Building
at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Upon
completing his work in San Francisco, he ventured
north to the rich and fertile soil of the Napa Valley.
In 1922 he purchased a 24-acre vineyard and winery
across from Mount St. John peak in the town of Oakville,
and named it Madonna Winery. Soon after, in 1924,
a fire devastated the winery. Andrea and his family
soon rebuilt it and in 1933 began crafting wines with
his son, Louis.
From
1955 - 1965 Louis purchased additional vineyard acreage
with his brothers and established some of the first
varietal vineyards in the Napa Valley. In 1967 Louis’
son, Andrea “Buck” Bartolucci, joined his
father at the winery as assistant winemaker. In 1970
the founding family vineyards and Madonna Winery were
sold. Passionate about continuing their family tradition,
Andrea purchased 160 acres of land in the Carneros
Region of Napa Valley that same year and named it
Madonna Vineyard. There he primarily planted Pinot
Noir and Chardonnay grapes but knew there was potential
to grow many different varieties.
In
1977, Louis purchased a 4-1/2-acre piece of land near
Madonna Vineyard. Eager to make wine again, Andrea
and Louis constructed the current Madonna Estate Winery.
The production of Estate Bottled Wines; Pinot Grigio,
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Dolcetto, Barbera, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Muscat
Canelli commenced.
Currently,
Andrea lives on the family vineyard with his wife
Susan and tends to every aspect of the vineyard and
winery. He oversees the entire operation and continues
to hold the position of winemaker. In 1997, his daughter
Brette, joined him. Today, she continues her vineyard
and winery education under the tutelage of her father,
and has assumed the duties of Vice–President
of Public Relations and Club Carneros Director. In
January of 2005 Brette and her husband Frank, welcomed
their first son and fifth generation family member,
Andrew Steven Bartolucci-Engelbert. Andrea’s
youngest daughter, Taylor, graduated from Pepperdine
University in 2004, and promptly accepted a job at
a Public Relations firm in Los Angeles. After a year
of building her knowledge and skills, Taylor has enthusiastically
made the commitment to carry on the family legacy.
In July of 2005 she returned to Napa and joined Brette
and her father as the Director of Public Relations
and a partner in the winery.
As
the third oldest winemaking family in the Napa Valley,
the Bartolucci’s are dedicated to continue the
premium grape growing and fine winemaking that has
been established by generations passed. It is their
commitment to continue to farm naturally, to preserve,
and refine the winemaking traditions of their past,
which will result in bringing you the finest wines
possible.
As
a boy, living and working on his family vineyard,
Andrea Bartolucci has always utilized and believed
in natural farming methods. Beyond tradition, Andrea
believes this is the healthiest approach to grape
growing. As a third generation grower he believes
that organic farming is much more than withholding
the use of chemicals, but it also involves nurturing
the soil and plants and improving soil fertility.
Today, he continues to farm organically without the
use of synthetic chemicals and is a proud member of
CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers).
In
addition to organic farming, Andrea believes dry farming
is the best method to ensure maximum quality and grape
flavor. Using the dry farming method the newly planted
vines are irrigated only until they create an extensive
root system. After the roots become established, all
irrigation lines are removed and the vines are left
to fend for themselves. For future moisture they rely
only upon natural rainwater creating a stronger vine
with a deeper, thicker root system. This method stresses
the vines and lowers the grape tonnage and produces
smaller berries with more intense varietal characteristics
because they are not plump with water.
In
addition, the flavorful grapes of the Madonna Vineyard
are also in demand by several wineries for their reserve
programs. Using the combination of natural organic
farming and dry farming, Madonna Vineyard continues
to consistently produce premium quality varietal grapes.
Our
Madonna Vineyard is situated approximately 40 miles
northeast of San Francisco in Carneros, the first viticulture
area north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The name "Carneros"
is Spanish for sheep, and was chosen for the region
(which encompasses both Napa and Sonoma counties) because
it referred to the many sheep ranches that were once
scattered throughout the area. The borders of the Carneros
appellation were drawn according to microclimate and
soil characteristics, and many often say it looks like
a bow tie when seen on a map.
Located
on the southern end of Carneros on the Napa Valley
side, Madonna Vineyard is in direct alignment with
the San Pablo Bay. From atop the 160 acres of gently
rolling hills you can feel the influences of cool
breezes and see views of San Francisco.
Due
to the proximity of the Pacific Ocean and San Pablo
Bay, the fog, wind, and moderate temperatures make Carneros’
microclimate undeniably maritime in nature. Unlike many
grape growing areas that were formed based on political
boundaries, Carneros was established according to its
microclimate influences.
The
elevation in Carneros is mainly at sea level at the
southern end but ranges to approximately 1,000 feet
closer to the western hills. Best suited for the cultivation
of cool climate grapes, Carneros has earned a prominent
reputation for the growth of Chardonnay and Pinot
Noir grapes. Carneros enjoys a long, moderate growing
season, which allows the grapes to mature slowly and
evenly. This produces grapes that are balanced in
color, flavor and acidity.
Unlike
some areas of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys that stand
shielded to ocean air, Carneros is a constant thoroughfare
for Pacific Ocean breezes. Throughout the day as the
air heats up, it rises, and is replaced by the cool
air hovering above the ocean waters. This results
in breezes that move throughout the vineyard then
eventually taper off as the temperatures drop. During
the night fog rolls in, which keeps the grapes from
heating up too quickly during the day, while the afternoon
wind lowers leaf temperature and dries the dew left
by the morning fog, preventing the harmful growth
of mildew and mold.
During
a typical year, the winter and spring rains fill the
soil profile with water. At the appropriate time,
the soil is tilled which captures and holds the residual
moisture. Largely the microclimate of Madonna Vineyard
works collectively with the dense clay soils and limited
rainfall to produce fruit of only the highest quality.
The
soils of Madonna Vineyard are extremely diverse, due
to the Carneros Region’s complex geological and
climatic history. The close proximity of the Bay, and
the impact of the ice ages are two important factors
that have most heavily influenced the soil. In general,
the soil in the Madonna Vineyard tends to be dense,
shallow (approximately three feet deep), of low to moderate
fertility, and high in clay content.
The
two main soil types found in Madonna Vineyard are
Haire and Diablo. Haire soil was formed from the shallow
tidal waters that contained numerous organisms and
salt marsh vegetation. It is high in calcium from
organism fossils, has a very high clay content that
holds in moisture, and is extremely beneficial to
the grape vines. Diablo soil on the other hand was
derived from deeper marsh and bay sediment. There
were fewer organisms due to the lack of oxygen, hence
fewer fossils. Diablo is high in manganese, a nutrient
that is essential for grape vines to form chlorophyll,
and also has high clay content with good water holding
capacity.
Haire
and Diablo soils alternate throughout the vineyard.
The two of them combined generally tend to reduce
vine growth, thus stressing the vines, and in turn
producing smaller yet more intensely flavored grapes.
There are also additional soil types, which have washed
down from creeks and rivers and add loam to the vineyard
mix.
In
general, the soils of Madonna Vineyard have a strong
impact the grapevine’s vigor by restricting the
development of the root system and providing just
enough nutrients and water to sustain growth without
excess development.
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