By John Olney & John Naab January 2009
August 30, 2008, all rights reserved, Wine Country Marketing and Promotions,
Web site: www.twccwcmp.blogspot.com E-mail: winecountrypromo@aol.com
ANDRETTI WINERY
4162 Big Ranch Road , Napa, CA 94558
Phone: 888-460-8463, 707.261.1717,
Fax: 707-259-6776
Web site: /www.andrettiwinery.com/
SOME HISTORY
Before going any further, I have to mention that I first visited these grounds back in the summer of 1986 when I was traveling all the back roads of Napa County in search of wineries that would provide me permission to use their label on my wine label poster-map. This site was the home of a couple of Hippie-like winemakers living among the tree grove in a typical two-story, California ranch style wood frame home.
When I arrived on-site, dogs were running around yipping and wagging tail as I approached in my old Dodge truck. Soon a young couple came out and met me as I was getting out of the truck. After exchanging pleasantries I told them what I was trying to accomplish and they invited me to come into their home and see their labels. The winery name at that time was “Mallard Vineyards.” They showed me two different labels and I immediately opted for the one that had the most fun; “Got-A-Way.” Needless to say, they were delighted that I would display their label at no cost nor obligation to buy any of the final poster product.
Fifteen years later in 2001, I found myself working in the tasting room of Andretti Winery. The new owners had purchased the property in 1996 and proceeded to completely remodel the existing buildings and added some structures to create the magnificent Tuscan estate which is modeled after one of the principal’s of the new ownership - Mario Andretti - home when he was growing up in Montona, Italy (renamed ;Motovun, Croatia, after World War II)
During the time I was associated to the winery tasting room, we were pushing out about 8,000 cases of wine per year spread among the tasting room, wine club, restaurants and other retail outlets.
The Tasting Room
I had not returned since my about nine month employment period ending in early 2002 until this last President’s Day Holiday, February, 18, 2008. WOW, was I surprised to see Sue Hendrick was still with the winery. I had hired her when I was essentially performing the role of acting Tasting Room Manager. When I first interviewed her, she indicted she could only work Sunday and Monday which was just fine as we were looking for part-time Tasting Room staff. Now, she has become Tasting Room Manager and is working four plus days a week. (Since this visit, Sue has retired from full time employment)
What a personal joy it was for me to find out how successful she had become at Andretti. Now she was going to be the tasting host to my party of which included Candi Koslowski, a server at Napa Cuvee Restaurant located near downtown Napa and John Naab, my business associate in Wine Country Marketing & Promotions (WCM&P).
The Key Players
I let Sue know that my mission was to taste Andretti wines for an article I was writing about the winery, the wines and its principals, Joe Antonini, former Chairman of the giant K-Mart Stores chain, Mario Andretti, voted “Race Car Driver of the Century,” at the millenium year of 2000, and Robert Petri, Jr., winemaker here as well as consulting a number of others. Sue had no problem with our mission and gave us permission to photograph the grounds, buildings and, of course, our tasting experiences.
JOE E. ANTONINI - Chairman
Former Chairman, President and CEO of Kmart Corporation where he was employed over30 years. He was selected Chairman of the large retail chain in 1987.
Mr. Antonini has held key positions such as: Chairman of the National Retail Federation and the National Minority Supplier Development Council, member of the Board of Directors of Polaroid Corporation, Chrysler Corporation, Shell Oil Company, Ziebart International, NBD Bank, Michigan Bell, and the Economic Club of Detroit. He also served as a Trustee for the National Italian American Foundation. He is a recipient of the Horatio Alger Award.
Mr. Antonini is a native of West Virginia where he attended college and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from West Virginia University. He was recognized by the University as its most distinguished alumni in 1992.
MARIO ANDRETTI - Vice Chairman
When he was 15 years old, his family immigrated to the United States. Near his hometown of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, he discovered a dirt racing track and has never looked back since he fell in love with auto racing. He raced for five decades, winning just about everything; the Indy 500, the Daytona 500, the Formula One World Championship and the Pikes Peak Hillclimb. He won the Champ Car National Championship four times and was a three-time winner at Sebring. He was the National Dirt Track Champion. He won races in sports cars, sprint cars and stock cars – on ovals, road courses, drag strips, on dirt and on pavement. He has been honored as the “Race Car Driver of the Millenium.”
ROBERT PEPI - Winemaker
Bob Pepi has been the Consulting Winemaker at Andretti Winery since its inception. He began his winemaking career training under his father, Robert Pepi, Sr., at the former Robert Pepi Family Winery in Oakville which was subsequently purchased by the Jesse Jackson Family and renamed “Cardinale.” He earned a reputation for pioneering the Sangiovese grape and wine. He consults a number of other prestigious wineries.
Today’s Production
Since I worked at Andretti, they have grown to over 40,000 cases per year. The wines include ______ lines of which their very best wine is presented under the __________ label. The other wines are offered under their __________ and _________ labels.
The Wines Tasted
Sue started us off with the whites wines just as one would expect. The Andretti 2006 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc was simply delightful and refreshing but I could be biased since SB and Pinot Grigio are my favorite white wines. Unlike many SB’s this one had just the right amount of grassiness to my liking and the fruit was distinctive to the taste. I shy away from Chardonnay’s that have over about 20-25% Malalactic Fermentation and heavy Oaking.
Andretti 2006 Sonoma Pinot Noir
Andretti 2006 Napa Valley Sangiovese
Andretti 2005 Napa Valley Zinfandel-Primitivo Blend
Andretti 2006 Napa Valley Syrah
Port
