About Us

History

Fortino Winery was established in 1970 when Ernest and Marie Fortino purchased a vineyard that reminded them of their Italian homeland, but had been shuttered and was in dilapidated condition. Ernest was drawn to the vineyard because the surrounding land was highly reminiscent of his homeland, Calabria, Italy.  The winery itself had been closed for roughly a decade when Ernest and Marie purchased it, and in those early years they worked day and night using Ernest’s knowledge of wine-making from his family’s ranch to turn it into a thriving business. 

The original vineyards were all dry-farmed and had Ruby Cabernet, Zinfandel, Carignan, and Grenache grapes planted on twenty-two acres.  Ernest and Marie added to their acreage when they purchased a ranch in San Martin in 1979, expanding their planted acres to 50.  In addition, they added Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Charbono grapes to the varietals that they cultivated.

In 1975 Ernest produced an exceptional Ruby Cabernet, which won Double Gold in the Los Angeles County fair and led to an article about the winery in the New York Times. Reminiscing on this part of the winery’s history, Ernest talks a lot about the wines he created during this time, and the visitors from all over who would come into the tasting room to see what they were bottling.  There is a special twinkle in his eye as he talks about the awards his wines earned in those early years.

In 1978 Ernest began one of the very first wine clubs in California.  At that time, they wanted to be able to offer their customers wine discounts and special events, something that the Fortino family has continued to this day.

In 1995 Ernest passed on the responsibilities of running the winery to his son, Gino, and daughter, Teri. Over the years the vineyards continue to produce some of the best wines in the area, and some of the vines are still dry-farmed to produce flavor-intense grapes. Visitors to the winery these days are likely to be greeted by 3rd generation family members.  Gino’s son Nick is actively involved in making wine alongside Gino, while his son Kevin can be seen around the winery on weekend and special events helping out in the kitchen, or doing any number of details that keep things moving.  Teri’s son Austin manages the Wine Club and helps out with customers in the tasting room, along with a myriad of other activities during events, both public and private. Each of these young men are an integral part of winery business, and will continue to make an impact on the family business in the decades to come.

The original vineyards were all dry-farmed and comprised of Ruby Cabernet, Zinfandel, Carignan, and Grenache grapes.

In 1995 Ernest passed on the responsibilities of running the winery to his son, Gino, and daughter, Teri. Over the years the vineyards have expanded to about 50 acres—some of which are still dry-farmed to produce flavor-intense grapes. Visitors to the winery these days might be greeted by Gino, or his two sons, Nick and Kevin while on their breaks or weekends away from college. In the Tasting Room, you are likely to see Teri’s son, Austin – our Tasting Room Manager. Nick, Kevin and Austin represent the 3rd generation of Fortino’s to contribute to the family business and the 5th generation of wine making in the Fortino family.

White Wines

Red Wines

Sparkling Wines