Helen shares the story of her many years of growing grapes with her husband Charles in Russian River Valley. The Bacigalupi’s gained recognition as growers during the 1976 Paris tasting when the 1973 Napa Valley Chardonnay from Château Montelena with Bacigalupi fruit triumphed over many acclaimed French wines to be declared the undisputed winner. That same block of Chardonnay used to produce this worldly renowned wine is still in existence today and carefully tended by the family’s second and third generations.
Some of Sonoma and Napa’s most respected wineries sourcing fruit from the Bacigalupis.
The family showcases wines under their own label, Bacigalupi Vineyards.
This is another oral history recorded on video for the Sonoma County Wine Library in our efforts to capture and preserve the stories of those who made an indelible impact on the Sonoma County wine industry.