San Rucci Winery

San Rucci Winery

6201 Schirra Ct, Suite 7, Bakersfield, CA 93313
sanrucci.com

Region: California’s Central Valley

Owners: The Merz Family

Winemaker: Bill and Tony Merz

About: San Rucci is an urban winery based in California’s Central Valley. The name San Rucci is the combination of our two family names – the San Filippo’s and the Becherucci’s. Because we do not own any vineyards, we can work with grape growers throughout the state to craft a variety of wines, including some Italian varieties that are not often found throughout the New World. Salute!

What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Montepulciano, because it is delicious!

What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? I was at an industry event. The event had a tasting of wines made from lesser-known grape varieties. The variety that surprised me the most at the time was Graciano. Since then, it has been very fun tasting other lesser-known varieties that are being grown throughout California and the US.

What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? I think the thing I like the most about the forgotten grapes is the curiosity of what could be. There are so many forgotten grapes that are unique on their own, but then add terroir, and it’s fascinating. There will always be a place for grapes like Cabernet, Zinfandel, and Chardonnay, but there are so many other varieties that make interesting and delicious wines. It is fun to introduce the forgotten varieties to wine drinkers.