1955 - As a Boy, Domenico Winery Founder,
Dominick Chirichillo began pressing grapes
in a basement in New York alongside his
grandfather, Domenico Giovinazzo, for whom
the winery is named. 1989 - Dominick, by then, a self taught award-winning
winemaker, took his passion for winemaking to the public
when he entered his first homemade Barbera in an amateur
competition in California, taking second place to the best in
show. His vision and passion for sharing his winemaking
experience is the inspiration behind opening the first home
winemaking facility in the country...Bacchus School of Wine
in Toms River, NJ...Leading the way to five successful New
Jersey Bacchus Schools of Wine franchises. In the first few
years of operation Dominick received over 67 medals
and was ranked seventh in the country by the
American Wine Society for his winemaking skills. 1997 - Dominick and his family moved to California to get
closer to the grapes, while still operating Bacchus in NJ till
present. 2001- Dominick started his own 8 - acre vineyard
in Amador County where he grows Syrah and
Primitivo, and more recently he leased 59 acres
of existing Amador County vineyards with eight
more grape varietals, including some unique Italian
grapes Aglinico, Nebbiolo, and Sangiovese. 2005 - Dominick released his commercial brandF of wine,
Domenico, as well as started the Bacchus Winemaking
Club in California. At Bacchus, you can create your
own barrel of premium wine, which you can share
with family, friends, clients or anyone who appreciates
tasting the goodness of fine wine. We only use
California's finest, premium grapes
from AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) such
as Napa Valley, Russian River Valley, Santa
Cruz Mountains, Amador County, and
Lodi/Woodbridge. These same premium grapes
are shipped to our New Jersey Bacchus
for our winemakers. 2012 - Another first for Dominick...Domenico Winery
is the first boutique winery in the country to be
granted the NEW out-of-state shippers license
to BYOB restaurants in New Jersey. Dominick
has long had one wish - to share his award-
winning wines with those living in his home
state of NJ. Since opening the winery, Dominick's
artisan Wines have received over 300 medals
including platinum, double gold, gold, silver
and bronze from many nationally and internationally
recognized wine competitions, including
San Francisco Chronicle, California State Fair,
Critics Challenge, Sommelier Challenge, and
Consumer Wine Awards. The Circle is now
complete...from coast to coast Dominick can share his
passion with you. Salute! | American Viticultural Area
An American Viticultural Area is designated
wine grape-growing region in the United States
distinguishable by geographic features,
with boundaries defined by the Alcohol
and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB),
United Statues Department of the Treasury.
There were 198 AVAs as of January 2010.
Unlike Most European Wine appellations
of origin, an AVA specifies only a geographical
location from which at least 85% of the grapes
used to make a wine must have been grown.
AVA designations do not limit the type of
grapes grown, the method of Vinification,
or the Crop Yield.
Amador County
Located approximately 45 miles southest of
Sacramento, Amador County is known as the
foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The Italians were among the earliest
winegrowers in the county. There were
450 acres of vines planted in 1880; The
Italians exhibited a devotion to winemaking
found in no other group. Zinfandel is the
grape most commonly associated with Amador,
although the climate produces many of the
mainstream varietals along with Italian, and
French varities, including Barbera, Aglianico,
Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Primitivo, Grenache,
Syrah, Mourvedre, and Roussanne to
name a few.Lodi The Lodi Appelation is an AVA recognized
for the distinctive quality of its wines.
Located directly east of San Francisco at the
edge of the Sacramento River Delta, the Lodi
appellation is noted for its classic
Mediterranean climate and its distinctive
sandy soils that provide the perfect
environment for the production of the
world-class wines. Napa Valley Defined by mountain ranges, the 35 mile valley
made up of 16 unique AVAs is influence by the
proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Napa Valley enjoys
a temperate climate perfectly suited to the
growing of fine wine grapes. Today, Napa Valley
features over 450 wineries that grow
many grape varities.
Russian River Valley The Russian River Valley has a characteristically
cool climate, heavily affected by fog generated
by the valley's proximity to the Pacific Ocean.
The area is knowsn for its success with cool
climate varietals, notably Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Located one hour north of San Francisco,
and just inland from the Pacific Coast,
over 100 wineries and growers call the Russian
River Valley home. Santa Cruz Mountains The Santa Cruz Mountains has played a pivotal
role in the history of winemaking in California,
with roots going back over 100 years. The appellation
has seen significant growth and change since the
start of the 21st century from 40 to now over
60 wineries. Recognized as an AVA in 1981,
the Santa Cruz Mountains was among the
first to be defined by its mountain topography.
It follows the fog line along the coast
to encompass our highest vineyards on the
ridge tops at 2,600 feet elevation. |