Page 10 - GrapevineMarApr 2022

In The Winery

esque grounds with views of Sonoma County’s roll- From the beginning, the Belmontes have
ing vineyards. The space will enable the Belmonte approached winemaking as a combination of old-
family to host large events like weddings, retire- world tradition and new-world innovation. “Vittorio
ment parties and corporate retreats. grew up immersed in wine with his father and his
uncle in the basement of their home,” McGorry
Today, VJB Cellars produces 19 different wines, said. “He learned the traditional flavors, and he
all Italian varietals except for Cabernet Sauvignon wanted to keep those traditions alive. Yet he was
and Chardonnay. “There’s a lot of Chardonnay, not afraid to put his own spin on the wines.”
Cabernet, Pino Noir and Sauvignon Blanc up and
down the valley, so we wanted to offer something For example, McGorry explained that the flagship
different,” McGorry told The Grapevine Magazine. Dante wine is a traditional Super Tuscan Blend,
“Our wine list includes Aglianico, Negroamaro, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, but with
Montepulciano Dolcetto and more, which gives the proportions reversed. While a Super Tuscan
guests an opportunity to come and learn something may usually be 85% Sangiovese and 15% Cabernet
new.” Sauvignon, the Dante is 85% Cabernet and 15%
Sangiovese, making the wine
unique to VJB Cellars.

As the Belmonte’s look to
the future, their only plans
for growth are renovating the
tasting room at Wellington
Cellars and producing more
wine there. While producing
high-quality wines, the ulti-
mate goal is to offer excep-
tional hospitality.

“We’re in a land of a thou-
sand wineries in Napa and
Sonoma. There are other
family-owned wineries, and
there are others that produce
Italian wines. But at both
Vittorio Belmonte serves as proprietor and super- wineries, we make hospitality our top priority. We
vises the vineyard management and winemaking try to give people an unparalleled experience so
teams. Maria is executive chef and director of that when they go home, they think about their
the market, La Cucina and the Red Rooster Pizza visit and join the wine club because they want to
Kitchen. She also hosts cooking classes. Henry, the be reminded of that experience. They come back
“Big Parmesan,” oversees all aspects of the win- again and again and bring friends because of how
ery, ensuring that visitors have an opportunity to they were treated. In sharing their heritage, the
experience the Italian heritage and traditions of the Belmontes want people to come as visitors and
Belmonte family. leave as family.”

VJB Cellars refers to its wines as “Italian varieties
with a California flair,” according to McGorry. “We
make traditional Italian wines with the flavor profile
you would find in Italy, yet with the fruit element
that is typical of California.”

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