High above the Sonoma Valley, perched on the western slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains, lies one of California's most significant historic Sonoma vineyards that tells the story of California winemaking itself. Monte Rosso Vineyard — named for its distinctive iron-rich, red volcanic soils — stands as a testament to pioneering spirit, viticultural perseverance, and the extraordinary wines that can emerge from a truly special place in Sonoma's viticultural landscape.
The Pioneers Of A Viticultural Legacy
The Monte Rosso story begins in the 1880s, making it one of Sonoma County’s most historic vineyards. San Francisco grocery business partners Emmanuel Goldstein and Benjamin Dreyfus made the audacious decision to establish this iconic Sonoma vineyard on a remote, rugged mountain ridge in Sonoma Valley. In 1886, they planted the first vines on what was then called Mount Pisgah and built a three-story gravity-feed winery named Mount Peak, establishing what would become a cornerstone of Sonoma’s viticultural heritage.
Planting a vineyard on this challenging terrain in the 19th century was nothing short of remarkable, even by historic Sonoma vineyard standards. Without modern equipment, these visionaries transformed the rocky, volcanic slopes into productive vineyards. Remarkably, some of the original Zinfandel and Sémillon vines planted in 1886 still produce fruit today — making Monte Rosso home to some of the oldest productive vines not just in Sonoma County, but in all of California.
The Martini Era
In 1938, the property entered a new chapter when Louis M. Martini — who operated a winery in St. Helena — purchased it from the Goldstein family. Recognizing the distinctive red volcanic soils, Martini renamed it "Monte Rosso" (red mountain in Italian) and began expanding the plantings.
In 1940, Martini planted Cabernet Sauvignon vines on the mountain. These are among the oldest Cabernet plantings in California, with some still producing fruit today. Under three generations of Martini Family stewardship, the vineyard grew to approximately 250 acres.
Louis Martini himself was a staunch advocate for Sonoma County wines. Despite his namesake winery being located in Napa County, he famously asked to be remembered as a Sonoma County man, and was known to boast that Sonoma produced the best wines in California.
Historic Sonoma Vineyard Preserved: Monte Rosso Today
In 2002, E. & J. Gallo purchased both Monte Rosso Vineyard and the Louis M. Martini winery, ensuring the continued preservation of this historic Sonoma vineyard. Today, the entire property encompasses 575 acres, with about 250 acres planted to vines. This treasured piece of Sonoma wine history has been meticulously divided into 64 blocks and 105 sub-blocks to account for the varied topography and growing conditions that make Monte Rosso unique among Sonoma's historic vineyards.
Rising from 690 to 1,300 feet above the Sonoma Valley floor, Monte Rosso sits primarily above the fog line. On clear days, visitors to this historic Sonoma vineyard can see all the way to San Francisco, some 50 miles south. This elevation, combined with its southern exposure and iron-rich Red Hill Loam soil, contributes to the vineyard's reputation for producing wines with extraordinary structure, complexity, and natural acidity that showcase Sonoma's finest terroir.
Currently, ten grape varieties grow at Monte Rosso, with nearly half the vineyard devoted to Cabernet Sauvignon. Other varieties include the historic Zinfandel and Sémillon plantings, as well as Syrah, Sangiovese (which Pangloss Cellars sources for our limited-production bottling), and several others that thrive in this remarkable setting.
Monte Rosso's Distinctive Expression
What makes wines from this historic Sonoma vineyard so distinctive? Vintners and critics alike point to Monte Rosso's strong terroir expression — that unmistakable sense of place that comes through in the glass regardless of grape variety, a quality that has made it one of the most sought-after historic vineyards in all of Sonoma County.
The iron-rich volcanic soils of this historic Sonoma vineyard impart a mineral signature and structure to the wines. The elevation provides warm days and cool nights, allowing for extended hang time that develops complex flavors while maintaining natural acidity. The old vines, with roots extending as deep as 40 feet, produce fruit of intense concentration and character that can only come from decades of established growth in this special Sonoma terroir.
Pangloss Cellars' Monte Rosso Vineyard Sangiovese
Our inaugural release of Monte Rosso Vineyard Sangiovese represents our commitment to showcasing the finest historic vineyard sites in Sonoma County. This Italian variety finds a natural home in the warm, sun-drenched slopes of Monte Rosso, where conditions mirror those of its Tuscan homeland, making it a perfect match for this esteemed historic Sonoma vineyard.
Like other wines from Monte Rosso, our Sangiovese expresses the classic high acidity and structure for which it is known, complemented by vibrant red fruit notes and subtle earthy undertones that speak to its volcanic soil origins. The wine showcases both the varietal character of Sangiovese and the unmistakable imprint of this celebrated site.
As part of the Moon Mountain District AVA, officially established in 2013, Monte Rosso exemplifies the distinctive character of this young appellation while maintaining its status as one of Sonoma County's most historic vineyards. The region's volcanic origins, high elevation, and unique microclimate combine to produce wines of exceptional quality and aging potential, traits that have made Monte Rosso a treasured resource for Sonoma winemakers for generations.
A Living Legacy
Monte Rosso Vineyard represents more than just exceptional wine — it's a living piece of California's viticultural heritage. Officially recognized by the Historic Vineyard Society for its significance as one of Sonoma County's most important historic vineyards, Monte Rosso stands as a reminder of the vision, persistence, and care required to create truly extraordinary wines from historic Sonoma vineyard sites.
When you enjoy our 2022 Monte Rosso Vineyard Sangiovese, you're tasting not just the fruit of a single vintage, but the culmination of over a century of viticultural history in one of Sonoma's most treasured historic vineyards. From the pioneering Goldstein and Dreyfus era, through the passionate stewardship of the Martini family, to today's meticulous vineyard management, Monte Rosso continues to produce wines that capture the essence of Sonoma's finest terroir and historic vineyard expression.
Visit our tasting lounge in downtown Sonoma to experience our 2022 Monte Rosso Vineyard Sangiovese and other exceptional wines from Sonoma County’s premier historic vineyard sites. Discover why historic Sonoma vineyards like Monte Rosso produce some of the most extraordinary wines in California.
