Business Details
Authentic Family-Owned Winery in Sonoma County
Martinelli Winery stands as a testament to five generations of family dedication to viticulture since 1889. Our legacy began with Giuseppe and Luisa Martinelli, who planted the first Zinfandel and Muscat vines on the steep slopes of Jackass Hill. Today, we continue their commitment to quality through sustainable farming across 470 acres of estate vineyards in Sonoma County's premier appellations. Our team combines generational expertise with modern techniques to craft small-lot, vineyard-designate wines that reflect each site's unique terroir.From the challenging terrain of Jackass Hill to the coastal influences of Fort Ross-Seaview, every bottle embodies our stewardship of the land and pursuit of excellence. We maintain rigorous quality standards through hands-on farming practices passed down through generations, ensuring each vintage honors our family's agricultural heritage while meeting contemporary expectations for craftsmanship.
Services
Wine tastings
Vineyard tours
Private events
Wine club memberships
Online wine sales
Cellar experiences
Wine pairings
Custom events
Highlights and features
- Five generations of continuous family winemaking since 1889
- 100% sustainably farmed estate vineyards across 470 acres
- Stewards of Jackass Hill, Sonoma County's steepest non-terraced vineyard
- Producers of 95+ point wines recognized by Wine Spectator and industry experts
- Maintain original 1889 vineyard blocks producing heritage Zinfandel clones
What people say
Award-winning wines
Knowledgeable staff
Stunning vineyard views
Multi-generational expertise
Authentic experience
Services
Estate Vineyard Tours
Explore our 470 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards through guided walking tours. Learn about our five-generation farming legacy while visiting historic sites like Jackass Hill, the steepest non-terraced vineyard in Sonoma County. The two-hour experience includes behind-the-scenes access to winemaking facilities and tasting of current releases, providing insight into how terroir influences our award-winning wines.
Private Wine Tastings
Indulge in curated tasting experiences featuring our limited-production, vineyard-designate wines. Choose from seasonal flights showcasing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Syrah from specific estate blocks. The Collectors Flight offers access to 95+ point wines and library vintages, accompanied by expert commentary about our winemaking philosophy and vineyard management practices that have earned Wine Spectator recognition.
Wine Club Memberships
Join our exclusive wine club for priority access to small-lot releases and special bottlings. Members receive advance notice of spring and fall allocations, invitations to members-only events, and discounts on shipping. Choose between the Allocation List for self-selected purchases or Concierge Membership for curated shipments, both offering library wine access and personalized service from our family team.
Culinary Pairings
Experience our in-depth seated wine and food pairing sessions featuring estate-grown wines matched with locally sourced artisanal cheeses and seasonal dishes. The Vineyard Terrace Tasting combines panoramic views with curated flavor combinations, while custom events can feature multi-course meals prepared by visiting chefs, showcasing how our wines complement diverse culinary styles.
Special Events
Attend annual celebrations like the Member Open House featuring barrel samples and library vintages, or the Harvest Dinner highlighting seasonal cuisine paired with current releases. We host both member-exclusive and public events throughout the year, including live music performances and educational programs that showcase our family's agricultural heritage and winemaking expertise.
People
Lee Martinelli Sr.
Owner/Farmer
Fifth-generation steward of Jackass Hill Vineyard, farming since age 6. Maintains original 1889 vines while implementing sustainable practices. Recipient of Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year award and agricultural educator.
Carolyn Charles Martinelli
Owner
Fourth-generation farmer with coastal ranching heritage. Co-planted Three Sisters Vineyard and manages family's Fort Ross-Seaview properties. Brings sheep farming expertise to sustainable viticulture practices.
George Martinelli
Owner/Farmer
Fourth-generation grower managing apple orchards and vineyards. 2008 Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year recipient. Combines traditional methods with modern viticultural techniques across estate properties.
Julianna Martinelli
Owner/Sales & Marketing
Fourth-generation wine industry professional. Established national distribution network covering 30+ states. Oversees marketing strategy while maintaining family legacy through personal customer engagement.
Tessa Gorsuch
Estate Director
Fifth-generation Martinelli leading estate operations. Holds BS in Wine and Viticulture from Cal Poly. Oversees vineyard management and hospitality programs while maintaining family agricultural traditions.
Questions
How can I access Martinelli's limited-production wines?
Join our Allocation List or Concierge Membership for priority access to small-lot releases and library vintages during spring and fall allocations.
What makes Jackass Hill Vineyard unique?
It contains Sonoma County's steepest non-terraced vines planted in 1889, producing heritage Zinfandel from 140+ year-old vines with distinctive flavor profiles.
Are tastings available without reservations?
Walk-ins are accommodated when possible, but advance reservations are recommended for all tasting experiences at our Russian River Valley location.
How does Martinelli practice sustainability?
All 470 acres and winery operations maintain 100% sustainable certification through organic practices, natural pest control, and water conservation methods.
Can I host events at the winery?
Yes, we offer custom event planning for social and corporate gatherings with vineyard views, including farm-to-table dining experiences paired with estate wines.
What appellations do you source from?
Our estate vineyards cover three key regions: Russian River Valley, Green Valley, and Fort Ross-Seaview AVAs across Sonoma County.
Reviews (5)
Bob Hull
Oct 05, 2021
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Very disappointing. The wine was mediocre and the service bad. We had reserved in advance, including a cheese & charcuterie lunch for two. Sierra, our host, brought us to our table and left a brown bag which apparently had our lunch in it. She came back with two tiny paper plates and three cocktail napkins. No effort to offer a decent presentation. I took the contents out myself and asked her what everything was. She responded "I don't know. We just changed chefs". Comical in that the label indicated they had ordered it elsewhere. Zero value add. Just very disappointing experience.
Jing Huang
Jul 27, 2021
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One of the best wine tasting experience I've had. Our host Judy is very knowledgeable and super friendly. We had a really good time there, learn a lot.
Nancy Hayssen
Nov 16, 2020
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Martinelli Winery is a beautiful winery off River Road. The winery adds to the beauty of the land and our area. Staff are super nice and the place is well maintained.
Allen Wales
Sep 06, 2019
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The Martinelli Winery not only supports a local non-profit providing housing for homeless youth, they also craft delicious wine with a high alcohol content, which pairs wonderfully with meat. Their wine has an incredible depth of flavor, and the site of their winery is just gorgeous, rustic with an old winery feel, and a gorgeous stone worked terrace behind the tasting room with an outdoor gazebo for outdoor enjoyment.
Ben Franklin
Jun 26, 2016
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Very nice vineyard with an awesome staff to boot. They were so informative about the local winery's and had a lot of other tips for spots to check out around the area. We both enjoyed the wine tasting and would recommend everyone gives it a try. Also bonus for you Tesla owners they have a charging station.
