A Taste of Riboli Family Wines in Paso Robles

Just a few days after judging the Central Coast Wine Competition in Paso Robles, California, I spent a day and a half with Anthony Riboli, fourth generation family member and winemaker, at Riboli Family Wines, Wine Enthusiast’s 2018 Winery of the Year. Along with two other writers and members of the Benson Marketing team, I learned the story of this iconic family, understood the nuances of Riboli vineyards in Paso Robles and had opportunities to savor the wines.

Riboli Family Wines is based in Los Angeles, but the family owns over 1200 acres of vineyards in Paso Robles, Napa Valley and Monterey and produces wines under several labels. What I had known and was officially disclosed the morning I met Anthony was that Riboli Family Wines’ 2019 San Simeon Paso Robles Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon had won Best in Show and Best Red at the Central Coast Wine Competition – a well deserved recognition.

The Riboli Family Story

In business for over 100 years, Riboli Family Wines was founded by Santo Cambianica who traveled from Lombardy, Italy to the United States in order to pursue the American dream. In 1917, his goal was met when he began San Antonio Winery in downtown Los Angeles. Along with his nephew, Stefano Riboli who apprenticed under Santo during the 1930s and 1940s, and his wife Maddalena, Riboli Family Wines grew as they faced not only joys but extreme challenges (the Great Depression, Prohibition, World Wars…) – they thrived thanks to perseverance, strong family values and selling wines that consumers love.

Now, Riboli Family Wines is responsible for vast vineyard holdings acquired in California through the years, along with partnerships with wineries in Italy and Portugal. Sustainability and a strong commitment to crafting quality-driven wines is their mission. In fact, Anthony consistently stated, “we offer consumers a range of prices that overdeliver on quality.” To read more about the family’s story, see the video below or click here.

The Paso Robles Vineyards of Riboli Family Wines

The Riboli Creston Vineyard of 320 acres is found in the newly-formed Creston District. The district is the “wild wild west of Paso Robles,” according to Anthony. Historically, the area was predominantly used for cattle and horse ranching as well as agriculture. By the late 1800s, Creston was considered a wine region with plenty of potential and now, Anthony is “excited about what more this area can do.”

With rolling hills and a lake that’s also a bird sanctuary, the property is beautiful. Warm days and cool nights, coarse, loamy Arbuckle-Positas soils and pure, clean water help an array of grapes thrive. Grenache, Tannat, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Roussanne are planted on the property. Not visited on the trip, however, is Creston Highlands Vineyard  where soils are from calcareous marine deposits as evidenced by the fossilized shells found on the 250 acre property.

Exclusively planted to Cabernet Sauvignon is the Pretty Penny Vineyard of 20 acres found in the El Pomar District AVA. Cool afternoon breezes from the Templeton Gap, rocky Arbuckle-Positas soils and high elevation result in concentrated grapes. Located in the El Pomar District, too, are the Stefano Vineyard (83 acres) and Maddalena Vineyard (72 acres) . In fact, the 2019 San Simeon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is of grapes cultivated in all three El Pomar District vineyards. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon is from Pretty Penny and Maddalena Vineyards and 20% Petit Verdot is from Stefano Vineyard.

In early 2022, the Riboli Family finalized the purchase of a winery on the west side of Paso Robles, within the Willow Creek AVA. Many soils in the AVA contain limestone weathered from calcareous shale fragments as well as clay loams. The high-elevation area has 20-30 degree Fahrenheit diurnal swing and annual precipitation is approximately 24-30 inches. Cool weather is prevalent and the Templeton Gap effect whereby Pacific Ocean breezes travel west helps cool more of the southern portion of the district. “Without the Templeton Gap, we don’t get effect from the ocean,” Anthony explained. “At this location, our goal is to produce high end Riboli Estate wines on the property.” For more information about each Riboli Family property, please click here.

A Selection of Riboli Family Wines

A few weeks prior to meeting Anthony, I met Chris Riboli, Anthony’s cousin and Vice-President – Western Operations, in Chicago at a media dinner at Roister. There, a variety of Riboli Family wines were paired with delicious food. In Paso Robles, a selection of wines was opened at Thomas Hill Organics and the food pairings were equally notable. A few of my favorites follow.

Fresh and lively is 2021 San Simeon Paso Robles Sauvignon Blanc from grapes grown at Riboli Creston and Creston Highlands Vineyards. Aromas of white flowers and hint of honey wafted from the glass and notes of bright citrus, lime and minerality were a perfect way to begin the evenings. 2020 Maddalena Monterey Chardonnay, from vineyards in the Arroyo Seco and Santa Lucia Highlands AVAs, is named after the matriarch of the Riboli family. Round and balanced with integrated oak notes, subtle flavors of Meyer lemon, spritz of orange, spice and tropical fruit, the wine is rich and food friendly.

The 2019 San Simeon Paso Robles Reserve Cabernet is lush and concentrated with minerality, notes of pepper, black fruits and soft tannins – its award is well deserved. 2018 Opaque Paso Robles Darkness is a broad, powerful blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Primitivo from all three El Pomar District vineyards. Black cherries, dark plums, chocolate and spice are notable.

Cheers! ~ Cindy

NOTE: Thank you to Anthony Riboli, Chris Riboli and Benson Marketing for your invitations, time and expertise.