Winery Visit: Martinelli And The Soul of Sonoma Farming - Madison

Join us at Waterford Wine & Spirits in Fitchburg for an extraordinary evening with Brian Ackerman of Sonoma’s legendary Martinelli Winery. Nestled in the heart of the Russian River Valley, the Martinelli family has been cultivating premium wine grapes since the 1880s, producing some of California’s most celebrated, single-vineyard Pinots, Zinfandels, and Chardonnays. Brian will guide us through a curated flight of these iconic bottlings, sharing the rich heritage, meticulous farming practices, and non-interventional winemaking philosophy that give Martinelli wines their famed depth, character, and sense of place.

Throughout the evening, you’ll taste through a stellar lineup of small-production releases, including their acclaimed Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and old-vine Zinfandels grown on steep, sun-drenched hillsides. Brian will offer insider stories from the vineyards, unpack the nuances of Sonoma’s cool-climate microclimates, and discuss how five generations of family stewardship shape every bottle.

Whether you are a longtime collector of California classics or simply eager to expand your cellar with exceptional cool-climate wines, this tasting offers a rare opportunity to engage directly with one of Sonoma’s premiere producers.

This is a Study Hall-style tasting, where you can stop by any time between 5:30 and 7:30 and taste at your own pace, under Brian's guidance. 

Wines to be tasted:

Chardonnay Bella Vigna Sonoma Coast $44.99
Pinot Noir Bella Vigna Sonoma Coast $49.99
Pinot Noir Bondi Home Ranch Vineyard $89.99
Zinfandel Vigneto Di Evo Russian River Valley $34.99
Zinfandel Guiseppe & Luisa Russian River Valley $69.99