In 1978, Marietta Cellars began with just a few purchased grapes - but it didn't take long for the winery to become a standout in Sonoma and Mendocino. Founded by Chris Bilbro, a Sonoma native with a family history of winemaking spanning three generations, Marietta's revolutionary Old Vine Red put the winery on the map as the creator of the California red blend category.
Over the last 30 years, Marietta has expanded its estate holdings and now produces high-quality, balanced Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Rhône variety blends. With vineyards spanning 310 acres in the Alexander Valley, McDowell Valley, and Yorkville Highlands, Marietta is now fully estate-based and organically farmed. Their heritage plantings include California's oldest Syrah blocks, planted in the late 1800s - a true testament to the winery's roots and dedication to quality.
Enter Scot Bilbro - the second-generation winemaker and owner of Marietta Cellars. He learned from the best - his father, Christo, who was a master at transforming everything into something rare and special. Applying his Viticulture and Enology training from UC Davis, Scot keeps a close eye on the details of the winemaking process - but for him, the real magic happens in the quiet moments. Hiking the vineyards as the morning fog dissipates, checking on the grapes in the sweltering sun, and fine-tuning the fermentation temperature are all part of the winemaker's art. And with a team dedicated to hard work, attention to detail, and an exceptional climate and land, Marietta continues to create beautiful, modern wines that showcase the best of Sonoma and Mendocino.
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