Sonoma mourns death of John Pedroncelli

Sonoma County wine pioneer John Pedroncelli has died aged 89 after losing a brief battle with cancer.

Pedroncelli, who was instrumental in building Sonoma County’s wine industry, died at his home on Sunday.

He was just two years old when his family moved to Geyserville in 1927 and started making wine.

Having graduated from UC Davis with a degree in oenology, Pedroncelli went on to produce 66 vintages at the Pedroncelli Winery and continued to consult for the winery up until his death.

Pedroncelli pioneered affordable, approachable wines from the Dry Creek Valley and championed Zinfandel, making California’s first zinfandel rosé.

In addition to Zinfandel, he produced Pinot Noir, Riesling and red blends.

“John’s legacy will be his unwavering commitment to the land, to winemaking and to his family, which epitomises the spirit of Sonoma County’s great wine families,” Honore Comfort, executive director of the Sonoma County Vintners, told The Press Democrat.

The Pedroncelli Winery was the one of the first to market Sonoma County’s appellation on its label.

“He was always helpful on giving me his opinion. He was a very lovely man,” David Stare, founder of Dry Creek Vineyards, told The Press Democrat.

In addition to his passion for wine, Pedroncelli was a keen traveller who enjoyed foraging for wild mushrooms, hunting and fishing. He is survived by his wife Christine, three children and five grandchildren.