THE IMMIGRANT’S SON
In 1930, Angelo Raffaelli was born in Viareggio, Italy. Growing up during the depression and through World War II, he dreamed of coming to the United States for the opportunities it presented. In 1957, that dream came true. After two years of living in New York City, he visited family in California and fell in love with Santa Cruz. The mountains and sea reminded him of home, and there he stayed.
The SS Monterey is the ship on which Angelo came to the US!
He met Pauline Haskett and together started a family. While Pauline nurtured the children, Angelo was thinking of his Italian roots and fostering his desire to grow gardens of fruits and vegetables…including wine grapes. In 1972 he bought the raw land that is now home to our vineyard.
Angelo in New York City, 1957!
The family was always involved in the process and even as small children his two sons would bottle the wine from the 50-gallon barrel in our garage! This began a life long love affair with wine for me, his second son, Roberto.
Angelo, Rob and Pauline, 1964!
My father worked the five and a half acres and with the help of his family and friends, eventually planted the vineyard in 1977. The quality of his fruit was well known among local vintners and through the years he sold his grapes to various wineries in the area such as Soquel Vineyards, Byington, Vine Hill and Hallcrest.
Rob at work in the 767!
Although my first love was aviation, I always knew I would someday have my own label for this very special place. Nearly four decades as an airline pilot with TWA and American Airlines has taken me all around this globe, where I have tasted many fine wines and visited rich vineyards. I’ve brought this priceless knowledge back to our vineyard.
Rob at work in the Vineyard!
I learned my viticultural and enological skills from watching and working with my father over the years, adopting his old-world style. After all, great wines begin in the vineyard! My dad always emphasized that it takes hard work and dedication to grow great wine grapes. Through the authentic Italian experience of working with him (to this day… he is 94), and enjoying the myriad viticulture courses at UC Davis and other institutions, my own dreams are finally taking root. And I am still growing! With the help of wine makers George Guglielmo and Daniel Angelo we are making this dream come true.
Please join me and my family in this venture as we create memorable wines from our little spot of heaven!
Rob
“Wine is sunlight, held together by water.” -Galileo Galilei