Vino Noceto

Winery Location: 11011 Shenandoah Road (at Dickson Road), Plymouth.
Tasting:
Monday-Thursday 11-4, Friday-Sunday 11-5

This small family-run winery was established in 1987, and specializes in Sangiovese. Since its first wine release in 1990, Vino Noceto has been a leader in the movement by foothill wineries to introduce northern Italian varietals to California, particularly wines produced in Tuscany, which has much the same climate, soil, and elevation as the foothill producers. Currently, Vino Noceto produces eight different Sangiovese-based wines, including a rosato, their Chianti-style Noceto Sangiovese, a Riserva Sangiovese, several single-block Sangioveses, and grappa.

The winery also produces a small amount of Zinfandel, Barbera, and a sparkling Muscat Blanc called Frivolo, a perfect picnic wine. For the first nine years, the 12-acres of estate Sangiovese grapes were made into wine at other wineries. In 1999, Vino Noceto established production at its own winery facility. The vineyard has grown to 25 acres of Sangiovese, and current annual production is 8,000 cases.