Pessagno Winery

Pessagno Winery fulfills a twenty-year dream of winemaker Stephen Pessagno to produce limited quantities of exclusive luxury wines from prestigious single vineyards throughout Monterey and San Benito Counties. The inspiration for Pessagno Winery is attributed to Stephen's grandfather, Anthony Escover, who introduced him to winemaking on the family's Santa Clara Valley ranch in 1974. "How vividly I remember crushing overripe Zinfandel grapes - stems and all - into 500 gallon redwood tanks, and I'll never forget the enticing aroma that filled the barn during fermentation," Stephen recalls. During a successful career as a Mechanical Engineer, Stephen's relentless passion for making wine continued to grow. This home hobby, however, quickly outgrew the confines of his garage. It was in 1982 that he decided to experience wine making from the ground up and worked the "crush" at Kirigin Cellars, a small winery in Gilroy. Since earning a degree in Enology from California State University at Fresno in 1986, Stephen has been Vice President and Winemaker for Jekel Vineyards, and since 1991, for Lockwood Vineyards and Shale Ridge Vineyards. Stephen Pessagno's goals are simple... Grow the finest grapes, make the finest wine. All of Pessagno's wine grapes are estate grown on some of the most famous vineyards in California. Every bottle of Pessagno wine embodies unique characteristics known to California's Central Coast Region. Natural flavors that adorn Pessango wines intensify the enjoyment of every sip. Small batches of wine are made using the knowledge and skills of a fine craftsman and this gives our wines their distinction and character. As Stephen often says, "I'm having the time of my life," so too will you as you enjoy Pessagno Wines.