Vineyards

Mark Henry was one of the first to plant the prized clones of Sangiovese introduced to the U.S. by Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo in 2001, and the first to plant the southern Italian mainstay Aglianico in the North Sierra Foothills. Chicago Park, California is on the western slope of the Sierra Foothills at 2200ft elevation, about equidistance from Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. Warm summers, cool evenings and soils of decomposed granite create a very happy home for our 1820 Sangiovese and 80 Aglianico vines. This, combined with the old world tradition of close planting (4ft x 3ft), means that Montoliva Vineyard & Winery is blessed with an annual bounty of high-quality fruit.

We adhere to the idea that our vineyard will reach its full potential, not under our watch, but when our children and grand-children are tending it. We use no pesticides, very limited weed control and employ sustainable farming practices. All leftover grape skins/stems from the winery are composted back into the vineyard.

Our Pinot Grigio is sourced from Jackrabbit Vineyard, the only organically grown Northern Sierra Pinot Grigio vineyard. Being at 3,200 ft elevation, means that vines are often affected by late frost, which serves to naturally limit this vineyard’s grape output. The grapes that remain in this 15 year old vineyard develop an intensity not seen in valley floor Pinot Grigios.