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. |