Groppallo Vineyard

recently began producing wine from Yountville – however their story goes much back much further. In 1988 Don and Dolly Grupalo moved to Napa to find a place to retire and enjoy a slower paced lifestyle. They were not looking to grow grapes or make wine. They found an 8 acre parcel just east of the town of Yountville. At the time rather than vineyards their land was planted to apple trees. For several years they harvested the apples and sold them to what was called “Marine World” (now Six Flags – Discovery Kingdom). The majority of their Napa grown apples were used for feeding Marine World’s elephants!
Fast forward a few years – harvesting apples in the middle of the Napa Valley was no longer as economically viable as it was many years ago and the family decided to plant vineyards.

Don & Dolly’s children have worked in the wine industry for many years – right after graduating from UC Berkeley, Joe who is spearheading sales for the family took a job with GALLO working wine sales in neighboring Sonoma County at small liquor stores and independent groceries. As an owner of a small wine label it certainly helps when you have a background in wine sales. Making a complete career change several years ago he became a firefighter and now is on the force for the City of El Cerrito.

The name Groppallo is an honor to their heritage. It is Joe’s great grandfathers name which was changed to “Grupalo” after passing through Ellis Island. His great grandparents actually managed a small vineyard on their own property in neighboring Sonoma County.

The Palm tree on the label carries some meaning for the Grupolo’s. It represents people, good times, meals with wine – and a spontaneous environment created by when all these components come together. It is a time where people forget about the daily stresses of life and enjoy each other’s company. Perhaps in a warm environment. When Joe experiences these types of gatherings he refers to them as a “palm tree moment”.

Joe randomly met the designer of their label. He was eating at a restaurant in Marin County sampling wines when a gentleman walked over to see what they were doing. Turns out he was a high school friend that Joe had not seen in over 10 years and it also turns out this friend had been designing wine labels for many years. How fortuitous! Based on that dinner this friend ultimately designed Groppallo’s first label.

Fruit from their vineyard was used to make some home wine which gave them an idea of the vineyard’s potential. Groppallo’s first commercial vintage dates from 2009. They made a small bottling of their two wines, a Merlot and a Merlot / Cabernet Sauvignon blend called Bliss. Most of this wine will be bottled later in 2011 with a release date not yet decided. It is difficult enough to start a new wine brand but especially so when your vineyard is pulled after the first release. Due to a leaf roll virus and difficulty ripening the grapes – the Groppallo’s are in the process of completely re-planting their vineyard and expect their first vintage from the new vines to be released perhaps in 2016. They will continue to produce wine until then from premium vineyards within Yountville.

Joe is a strong believer in the Yountville appellation and he sits on the board of directors. His wine is also the first wine (that we know of) from the appellation to display the Yountville Appellation logo on the bottle.

The 2009 Bliss is a big beautiful wine with powerful aromatics on bouquet that show deep notes of black fruit (blackberry, and black cherry) as well as dark chocolate. As the wine evolves in the glass a dry dusty characteristic comes forth. The palate is complex with layered black fruit, hints of vanilla and structured yet balanced tannins anchoring the long finish.

Groppallo also has plans to produce a Chardonnay.

Their total production to start will be around 600 cases – and distribution will be limited in the Napa area to find restaurants and wine shops. V Wine Cellars in the town of Yountville will carry the wine.

NOTE: This review has been archived.
REASON: Stopped producing wine commercially