The calendar may be turning, but in Northern California’s Wine Country, summer seems determined to linger. The golden hills of Sonoma remain full of sunlight, creating the perfect setting for a Sunday in the Dry Creek Valley. On August 17th, the Festa Italiana returned for its second year at Orsi Family Vineyards, offering a deep dive into the region’s unique connection to Italian winemaking.
This was no ordinary wine tasting. Attendees were invited to a singular experience, a celebration of the unique Italian grapes flourishing in California’s soil and the passionate artisans who cultivate them. The event, organized by General Manager Mark Orsi and his team, drew a crowd eager to learn and appreciate the art of Italian viticulture in a new world setting.
The day began with a thought-provoking panel discussion led by renowned sommelier and wine journalist Christopher Sawyer. The conversation explored the unique challenges and triumphs of farming Italian varietals in California, from the critical decisions of site selection and vineyard practices to the ultimate goal of showing authentic varietal expression. The panel included, among others, Bernie Orsi of Orsi Family Vineyards, Shelley Lindgren of A16 and Tansy Wines, Mick Unti of Unti Vineyards, and Bob Biale from Robert Biale Vineyards…