Founded by self-taught, award-winning winemaker Dominick Chirichillo and his wife Gloria, Domenico Winery & Vineyards embraces the Italian heritage and the tradition of family winemaking. Dominick was introduced to the craft when he was a mere two years old by his loving grandparents in Staten Island. He still recalls his grandfather, Domenico, showing him the family’s winepress in the basement: a symbol of their legacy.
Dominick was raised in Staten Island, New York, and made wines for his family’s consumption for many years. He has an infectious passion for making wine and started the Bacchus Winemaking Club to help other home winemakers succeed. Business took off and in ten years, there were five Bacchus Winemaking Clubs.
In 1997, Dominick and Gloria decided it was time they got closer to the grapes. They moved to California and chose San Carlos for their winery location because it was conveniently located in the middle of Silicon Valley. In 2002, Dominick planted his first vines; five acres of Syrah and three acres of Primitivo at Vintage Estates, located in Amador County. The first vintage of Domenico wine was released in 2005 to rave reviews.
Today, 300 medals later, the Domenico portfolio includes 20 different wines including eight distinctive Cal-Italia varietals. In fact, the winery has become a second home to many major Silicon Valley corporations, who appreciate Domenico’s teambuilding wine events like hands-on winemaking and bottling activities, and Meritage blending seminars.
Designed by Gloria, the Domenico tasting room brings an authentic wine tasting experience to those who don’t care to go all the way to wine country. Filled with hundreds of French oak barrels, it accommodates weddings, special occasions, and corporate events for groups of 20 to 250 guests. It is beautifully appointed with a magnificent mahogany tasting bar, and expresses all the charm of its warm, genuine owners, Dominick and Gloria.