In 1980, I developed a passion for wine-making. Along with a handful of friends in Los Gatos, California, I spent countless hours developing Zinfandels, Cabernets, and Chardonnays. My interest later drew me to U.C. Davis to take some courses in commercial wine-making.

In 1985, our family, along with our many friends, hand-planted our first sizable vineyard at our 7.5-acre vacation property in Cool, California. This one-acre vineyard was planted from registered stock, and produced an average of 4 tons of grapes. Our family generously distributed our Cabernet Sauvignon to friends and family members while mastering our technique into producing some of the finest-tasting wines in El Dorado County.

By the end of the decade, my son, Val, began to assist in the harvest and crushing process. My increased passion, as well as an increase in our production, prompted us to become a bonded winery.

As a bonded and licensed winery, we built the first tasting room and opened by appointment only. The first year as a registered winery we distributed over 400 cases of wine. In 1995, we joined the El Dorado Wine Association, as our distribution had increased to over 1200 cases.

In 1997, shortly after Val and his wife, Gina, became active in the operation, we purchased 120 acres near the South Fork of the American River. The southern exposure was perfect for our red wines and a northern exposure higher on the property will see the future planting of white wine grapes. Besides our current 11-acre vineyard, the original vineyard still exists in Cool.

In 1999 we opened the new tasting room below the old style farmhouse where Val, Gina, and their children, Sarah and young Jack live.  The Venezio Winery is a family operation and we truly hope that our future generations will carry on the passion and tradition.

Jack Venezio