Trione Flatridge Ranch Vineyard Zinfandel 2017

Raised in Fortuna, CA by Italian immigrant parents, Henry Trione could always be described as a true entrepreneur with great foresight, or as he would call it “luck".  As a young Navy veteran, Henry & wife Madelyne moved to Sonoma County in the 1940’s to seek a home in the blossoming post war community of Santa Rosa.  Henry saw opportunity for mortgage lending in the developing town and started the first mortgage company in Sonoma County, aptly name Sonoma Mortgage which he would eventually sell to Wells Fargo Bank in the 1970’s.  Growth and potential abound, Henry entered into many different ventures, some fruitful and some not.  To name just a few, these included partial ownership in a lumber mill and the Oakland Raiders, starting a vocational school for secretaries that developed into a successful business and law school, purchasing Italian truffle sniffing dogs to hunt truffles in Sonoma County, and naturally, real estate development.  Henry and Madelyne had two sons, Vic and Mark, whom after graduating from college and completing their military service, returned home to work with Henry and eventually join him in one of his legacy ventures of vineyard development. In the 1970’s the three Trione men focused their efforts on seeking and developing premium planting sites, identified by their soil type, climate and growing region in what is now the Russian River and Alexander Valley AVA’s.  After acquiring and planting nearly 1,000 acres of vineyards, they quickly realized they need a home for their grapes and purchased Geyser Peak Winery in the heart of Alexander Valley.

Turning the Geyser Peak brand around was no small feat but by eliminating the boxed wine packaging and gaining the esteemed Australian winemaking team Daryl Groom and Mick Schroeder (through a brief partnership with Penfold’s Winery) Geyser Peak began an upward trend catching the attention of consumers and critics alike.  After 20 years of rewarding and fulfilling winery ownership, Henry, Mark and Vic accepted an offer for sale and stepped comfortably back into growing grapes.  While Vic focused on his successful and growing savings and loan, Luther Burbank Savings & Loan est. 1983, Mark oversaw their vineyard company Vimark Vineyards.

Through careful cultivation and selection, Vimark Vineyards then roughly 700 planted acres, continued its aim on growing the highest quality wine grapes.  After many years away from making wine, in 2005 a new chapter took root.  The Trione family, Vic, Mark and now Mark’s daughter Denise,  returned to the wine business, but this time only focusing on the top 3% of what they grow for their own family brand Trione Vineyards and Winery. With the help of then winemaker Scot Covington, Trione produced 2005, 2006 and 2007 vintages in a custom crush facility before completed the construction of the winery in Geyserville, CA just in time for the 2008 harvest.  The objective of the Trione wines has always been to showcase the vineyards.  Focusing on site, soil and clonal selections, making wine for the Trione’s focuses on the grapes that are the highest expression of quality.

Now, in its 17th year, under the winemaking direction of John Duckett, Trione Winery continues its dedication to the vineyards and ultimately growing grapes in Sonoma County.  Concentrating on growing what they believe to be the best of the best, making exceptional wine is a happy byproduct.

Trione Winery and Vimark Vineyards is truly a family affair. Mark Trione is President, Vic is Vice President, and Mark’s daughter Denise over sees sales, marketing and branding, while her husband, Kris Hicks, runs all vineyard operations as the vineyard manager for Vimark Vineyards.