A look into the Bacigalupi Vineyard Designate Program

What does it mean when a winery has Bacigalupi Vineyards on the label?

At Bacigalupi we are farmers first and foremost. Growing grapes has been the foundation of our history and we are very proud to work with some of the best brands in Sonoma and Napa Valley. If a winery states “Bacigalupi Vineyards” on the label that means that 100% of the grapes in that bottle have been sourced from our vineyard. This is called a Vineyard Designation and typically represents the top tier of a wineries portfolio. We work closely with the winemakers and discuss the style of wine they wish to make and where they see our vineyard specifically fitting in to their overall wine program. This helps us determine what blocks and clones would be the best fit for the winery to purchase.

How do you decide which fruit or vineyards wineries get versus what you use for the wines you make and sell yourself?

One of the perks of being both a grower and wine producer is that we see the progression of fruit all year long, not just at certain stages in the growing season. With that intimate knowledge and Ashley’s oversight we have been able to determine down the row which blocks and clones work best for the Bacigalupi Estate Wine program. Those vineyards are set aside and grapes from those blocks are used specifically for our own wines.

When we meet with prospective wineries its important to determine what their needs are and why are they looking to add our vineyard designate to their current program. This helps us decide what block and clone would be a good fit. Our goal is to provide the best possible fruit to create a great wine that displays the quality of our vineyard for our partners. It is very important that we match the vineyards, blocks and individual clonal selections to the right winery programs.

How do you work with the wineries when deciding how to make farming decisions or when to pick etc?

Many of the wineries who come to us for grapes do so because we have a reputation for never sacrificing for quality. Much of that success in the vineyards comes from John Bacigalupi and his two full-time employees more than 25 years of experience farming the same land. An absolute perfectionist, everything John and his team do, from soil management, pest control, and pruning, to canopy management and watering is all done with an eye on grape quality and intimate knowledge of each site, and it’s microclimates. With so many growing seasons under his belt, John knows what works and what doesn’t, which makes him an invaluable asset to clients when choosing the Bacigalupi’s best vineyard, block, or row of vines, and farming them to meet their needs.  In general, because of our successful track record many wineries leave the farming decisions up to John and his crew. When it comes to deciding on a harvest date this can be a delicate dance that is done in cooperation with the winemakers and in coordination with the hauling and trucking availability. Our goal is to get the fruit off at the peak of ripeness and to the winery in mint condition.

What are some of the wineries you work with currently?

The first winery to carry the Bacigalupi Vineyards designation was Belevedere Winery in 1979.  Since that time, more than fifty wineries have featured our trademarked name on their special bottlings. Vineyard designation is not granted to every brand who purchases grapes, and wineries must have at least a two year partnership before being considered.

Currently, the following wineries produce a Bacigalupi Vineyards designate wine:

 Pinot Noir Designates
Eleven Eleven
Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery
Modus Operandi Cellars

Chardonnay Designates
VGS Chateau Potelle
Flanagan Wines
Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery
Macauley Vineyard
MacRostie Winery & Vineyards

Zinfandel
Williams Selyem
Passalacqua Winery
Dutcher Crossing
TVine Winery