The Rochioli family has farmed in the Russian River Valley since 1938, when Joe Rochioli Sr. first planted grapes along Westside Road. For decades the family sold fruit to other producers before Joe Rochioli Jr. began making wine under the Rochioli label in 1982. The winery quickly gained national recognition, particularly for reserve Pinot Noirs from specific named blocks including West Block, East Block, Three Corner Block, and Little Hill, each reflecting a distinct expression of the estate loam and gravel soils. Today Tom Rochioli runs the operation, continuing a family tradition that spans four generations and remains fiercely independent.

Estate Vineyard Blocks and Their Distinct Characters

What sets Rochioli apart is the meticulous mapping of its 130-acre estate into named blocks, each vinified separately. West Block is the flagship: old-vine Pinot Noir planted in 1968 on sandy loam that produces deeply concentrated, earthy wine with extraordinary aging potential. East Block is more transparent and floral. Three Corner Block sits at a natural drainage junction and yields wines of striking mineral precision. Little Hill receives more afternoon sun and delivers richer, more plush fruit. The family Sauvignon Blanc, planted along the river bench, is among the most refreshing expressions of the variety in California.

Four generations of family farming on Westside Road produced some of the Russian River Valley’s most coveted Pinot Noir, sold almost entirely through a loyal mailing list.

From Grower to Producer: A Family Transition

For much of the twentieth century, the Rochioli family was known primarily as a grape grower supplying some of the best vineyards in Sonoma County. The decision to produce wine under the family label in 1982 changed everything. Early vintages drew immediate critical praise, and the reserve block wines quickly developed wait lists that have never shortened. The shift from selling grapes to making wine allowed the family to capture the full value of their exceptional farming and to tell the story of place rather than simply supplying fruit to others.

Winemaking Approach and Cellar Philosophy

Rochioli wines are made with minimal intervention: cold soaks before fermentation, native yeast for reserve wines, and restrained use of new oak to keep the focus on vineyard expression. Pinot Noirs are fermented in small open-top bins, hand-punched, and aged in French barrels for 11 to 14 months. The winery bottles without fining or filtration. Chardonnay is barrel-fermented and aged on lees for additional texture and depth. Production is intentionally small, limited to what the estate can sustainably produce each vintage.

Visiting and Purchasing Rochioli Wines

Rochioli Vineyard is open for tastings most days of the week, making it more accessible than many mailing-list-only producers in the area. The tasting room sits alongside the vineyard on Westside Road, offering a genuine farm setting. Mailing list wines, the reserve block designates, are offered exclusively to list members and sell out quickly. The estate Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc are available in the tasting room and through limited retail channels, making them easier to acquire for visitors.

Rochioli Vineyard and Winery FAQ