Sunland Vintage Winery–Heard It On The Grapevine–What’s up, What’s hot, Ventura County’s Local Wineries
Debby and Michael Giovinazzo
As Shakespeare famously wrote; “What’s in a Name?” The meaning, there as Juliette attested, drug was that names of things do not matter, only what things are. For Michael Giovinazzo, wine maker at Sunland Winery in Thousand Oaks, not only do the names of his wines matter, the name of the winery, the logo, and the tasting flight are just as important, and as personal as the wines he produces.
“My grandfather started Sunland Vintage Company in Los Angeles in 1935, right after Prohibition
Original Sunland Bottle Label
ended. We still have an original bottle with the “Sunland” label on it,” Michael said. “I was a part-owner of four race horses, and named the youngest “Sunland Vintage”. Thus, we created the silhouette of horses racing, neck-to-neck against the background of the setting sun, to use as our logo.”
Giovinazzo wines are all Italian varietals grown and bottled in Lodi. The goal being to bring a taste of old Italy to Ventura County wine lovers.
Toward that goal, the Giovinazzo list includes a 2007 Dolcetto, 2012 Montepulcino, 2012 Pinot Grigio, and a 2013 Teroldego.
Sunland Vintage is one of the few local wineries to produce a 100% Barbera. Their Rosé is named Barbera Bianca, not because it’s a white wine, but because
Michael’s daughter’s name is Bianca.
Naming his wines for family members became a tradition. “Two years ago I was producing another blend and I called it Tre Ragazzi, (three boys) because I have three sons. It won the American Wine Society Double Gold award in 2013. I’m very proud of my boys and my three boys wine!”
When Michael decided to create a non-Italian brand, SVI was born. Along with it, a new name for a new blend was also needed.
“I blended Merlot, Sangiovese and Petite Sirah for the new label and needed a name. At that time Debby and I were planning our wedding and while she was trying on wedding gowns her friend said she looked like a delicate princess. So that’s how we came up with the name for the new wine.”
Debby said the name and the wine was a huge hit with the ladies at their very first pouring event. “Everyone wants to believe they’re the Delicate Princess. Women were coming from everywhere saying, “I heard you named a wine after me!”
Fun in the Sunland
Other selections under the SVI brand include a 2013 Albarino, a 2010 Pinot Noir and a 2012 Malbec.
Michael’s horse racing experience was also a key factor for Sunland Vintage’s Tasting Room choice for the name of their wine tasting flights. All of the choices are horse racing terms: Morning Line is the winery choice of 5-1 oz. pours. Pick Six is your choice of 6-1 oz. pours, Trifecta is 3-1 oz. pours wines from the Morning Line, plus you keep the glass. Breeder’s Cup is your choice of a full glass of Wine.
Sunland Vintage hosts weekly special events. Every Thursday from 6 – 9 pm you can enjoy your choice of wine for only $5 a glass. They also have wine and chocolate parings on “Chocolate Fridays” and “Sinful Sundays”
What’s in a Name? At Sunland Vintage Winery Tasting Room, a great deal of family history, love, and pride.
And great tasting wine!
1321 Thousand Oaks Blvd. #108
Thousand Oaks
Tasting Room Hours:
Thursdays & Fridays 6PM—9PM
Saturdays 1PM—6PM
Sundays 1PM—5PM
Raven West
Raven West: Find her books on Amazon.com
Named in the TOP 50 Authors: by Authorsdb.com
Raven West is a free-lance writer and published author who has lived in Ventura County for more than twenty years. She has an extensive knowledge of local wineries from Thousand Oaks to Ojai and will be covering special events which take place at the tasting rooms throughout the year.
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