Del Dotto

Located in the beautiful Napa Valley, Del Dotto Family Wineries & Caves focus on small production, premium wines. Dave Del Dotto has spent the past 25 years acquiring vineyards in some of the best American Viticultural Areas including Rutherford, Oakville, St. Helena, Howell Mountain, and Fort Ross-Seaview Sonoma Coast. Currently, the family produces cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, sangiovese and sauvignon blanc from the Napa Valley vineyards, as well as pinot noir, chardonnay and limited amounts of syrah, sauvignon blanc, sparkling grenache and mourvedre from the Cinghiale Vineyard in the King Ridge region of the Sonoma Coast. With a family name rooted in winemaking since the 1400s, wine was in Dave’s veins. He started collecting bottles in the late ‘80s. In 1988, he was on a wine-buying trip in Napa Valley with his wife Yolanda when they stumbled upon a beautiful 1912 Frank Lloyd Wright craftsman house located in the desirable Rutherford appellation. Dave had a palate for fine wines and a love for real estate, and he knew the Rutherford property had the potential to produce some remarkable grapes. He and Yolanda purchased the 17-acre property on the spot after falling in love with the view. Shortly after, the family moved from Kona, Hawaii, and in 1990, continued the 800-year old Del Dotto legacy by planting new rootstock of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot and sangiovese. Dave and Yolanda, along with their two children, Desiree and Giovanni, live and work in Napa Valley, overseeing the operations of their three wineries: Historic Del Dotto, Del Dotto Estate and Piazza Del Dotto. The family’s impact is noticeable across all aspects of the business—from the vineyards to the tasting rooms and caves—the wine, the food pairings, the architecture, ambiance and décor are all influenced by the family’s desire to offer every guest the best winery experience in Napa Valley. While the wines are their masterpiece, a great wine tasting must have world-class food that brings the wine to life. The executive chef Joshua Schwartz, formerly of The French Laundry, Per Se, Bouchon and Bouley, has also been with the family for more than a decade and his inspired cuisine has highlighted how to marry the art of wine and food. From house-cured salumi and slow-braised meats to vegetables from the garden and Grandma Dee’s handmade ravioli, Chef Joshua collaborates on a unique menu that embodies the season and pairs perfectly and highlights the amazing wines.