After living in Marin County, the Scalabrini's moved to Annapolis in 1976. The vineyards were planted in 1978, replacing an old apple orchard. After farming for several years, Basil Scalabrini began making wine commercially. With no winery, the first wine was made in a redwood grove at the top of the hill, a 1986 Cabernet Sauvignon. It was great! We built the winery in 1987, and began making wine from each vintage thereafter.

We are family owned and operated, and are involved in every phase of the wine growing process. From pruning to bottling, we take personal pride in producing the best wine we possibly can. Our focus is on quality, not quantity. We produce a very small amount of wine, taking personal care at each step of the process. The results are wines that are naturally lush and intense.

Winemaking

Growing conditions in Annapolis are unique to Sonoma County: an elevation of 1,000 feet, two and a half miles from the Pacific Ocean, cool coastal breezes, sandy low-vigor soils and abundant sunshine. From vine to bottle, we do everything we can to stay out of the way, and let the wine grow.

Philosophy

Less Is More! Our aim is to allow the grapes flavors to develop naturally, with as little intervention as possible. We practice sustainable farming techniques. No synthetic pesticides are used. All of our fruit is hand picked and carefully inspected. No fining agents are used. Personal care and attention go into every bottle. What you taste in the bottle is what is grown in the fields. All our wines are made from locally grown wine grapes. Our mission is "To Use Local Fruit and Provide our Customers with the Essence of The Sonoma North Coast."

2009 Top Hat Dinner

For the 2009 Art in the Redwoods Festival Top Hat Dinner on Thursday, August 13, Aron Scalabrini, the son of Basil Scalabrini, will be pouring wines that perfectly pair with Chef Jon Mortimer's dinner. They are busy tasting and sipping to give diners the ultimate experience of earth and ocean.

Aron is a graduate of the University of California, Davis in Viticulture and Enology. The V&E Department combines the sciences of viticulture and enology in a single research and teaching unit that encompasses all of the scientific disciplines that impact grape growing and winemaking. For over one hundred years the University of California has maintained an active and productive program in research and education in viticulture and enology. The continuing excellence of the Department has enabled California growers and vintners to develop practices that have allowed the Golden State to achieve its potential and become a premier wine-producing region. Along with being the Winemaker, he is also the Vineyard Manager. One could say his glass is full.

Aron's wife, Sophie, is also his assistant winemaker. Many people will remember this delightful person at the Chowder Challenge in April, where she was pouring wine.

Gualala Arts gratefully acknowledges Annapolis Winery for their generous sponsorship of our: 2009 Art in the Redwoods Festival Top Hat Dinner

The Gualala Arts Center, located at 46501 Gualala Road in Gualala, CA,
is open weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and weekends from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information, or email info@gualalaarts.org.

Serving the coastal communities of northern Sonoma & southern Mendocino Counties.