Monthly Archives: January 2015

Remembering Arthur “Jay” Fritz and John Pedroncelli

Remembering Arthur “Jay” Fritz and John Pedroncelli

In the span of just one week, the world lost two Dry Creek Valley wine pioneers: Arthur “Jay” Fritz of Fritz Underground Winery passed away on December 30, 2014, and John Pedroncelli of Pedroncelli Winery passed away on January 5, 2015. Both men are celebrated and missed throughout the wine world.

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Arthur "Jay" Fritz

Arthur “Jay” Fritz

Jay Fritz founded Fritz Cellars, now called Fritz Underground Winery, in 1979, four years before Dry Creek Valley was named a designated American Viticultural Area (AVA). In a posthumous tribute, Wine Spectator’s MaryAnn Worobiec recalls working in his business office for a year when she first settled in California to pursue a career in wine. She says, “…I recall Jay as being a tough but fair boss, with a strong vision for his Dry Creek Valley winery, committed to sustainability before it was trendy.”

Fritz grew his winery from to a case production of 25,000+ and garnered many awards for his fine wines. In 2001, he passed the winemaking duties on to his son Clayton Fritz, who has continued the winery’s legacy of producing elegant wines that highlight Dry Creek Valley’s terroir.

Beyond his love of wine, Fritz was deeply devoted to his family, his religious faith, and to charitable service work.

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Jim and John Pedroncelli (right) in the vineyard

Jim and John Pedroncelli (right) in the vineyard

John Pedroncelli’s parents bought a vineyard in Geyserville during Prohibition, when John was just 2-years-old. At first, the family sold grapes to home winemakers.  Once Prohibition was repealed, they became an official winery, making bulk wine. In 1948, John Pedroncelli was named winemaker and, in 1949, he produced the winery’s first Zinfandel varietal bottling. During his 66 years making wine, he and his brother Jim transitioned the winery from the bulk industry into a producer of premium Dry Creek Valley wines.  His vision was for tasty, fruity wines that people could enjoy immediately. Pedroncelli sought to bottle delicious, yet affordable wines.

Pedroncelli’s vineyards gradually expanded to 180 acres. Even when his health began to decline in 2014, John Pedroncelli still aided in the harvest season. Pedroncelli remains a family operation, with third and fourth generation family members working in the vineyards, the winery, and the tasting room.

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To read more about each of these Dry Creek Valley pioneers, see the following articles.

Sonoma Wine Pioneer John Pedroncelli Dies at 89

RIP Arthur “Jay” Fritz Jr.

John Pedroncelli, Prominent Dry Creek Winemaker, Dies at 89

Arthur “Jay” Fritz Jr. Obituary

Wine Industry Mourns Passing of Arthur “Jay” Fritz


Dry Creek Valley at Winter Wineland

Dry Creek Valley in Winter wreath barren vines

 

Dry Creek Valley at Winter Wineland

The vines may be asleep, but winter is no quiet time in Dry Creek Valley for visitors.  Our friends at The Wine Road are ushering in the new year with their 23rd annual celebration, Winter Wineland. Featuring almost 40 of our member wineries (and 137 Sonoma wineries in total), you can spend the weekend of January 17-18 tasting your favorite wines from bottles and barrels at tasting rooms decorated for winter. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet winemakers, taste limited production wines, new releases and library wines.  Every winery will have something on sale for the weekend! Some offer tours or food pairings.

Dry Creek Vineyard, Mill Creek Winery, and Sbragia Family Vineyards will all be decorated as ski chalets, so you can enjoy all the apres without having to do any of the ski.  At Dry Creek Vineyard, savor grilled cheese sandwiches and hearty winter soup while you taste their favorite zinfandels for winter. Malm Cellars will be showing off their new cellar grounds, after a long renovation.  Zichichi Family Vineyard will be offering barrel tastings and selling futures of their 2014 Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. Manzanita Creek will pair Jack’s Beef Bourguignon with their zinfandel.  Head to Stephen & Walker Trust for a taste Nancy’s Pulled Pork Sliders.  At Preston Farms and Winery, taste pizza and breads made onsite with house-cured olives and their organic wines. Martorana Family Winery even lets you play Bocce!

Winter Wineland flyer

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