Early in the last century, a young man (Alessio Dal Porto) found a place in the foothills of the Sierra for his family to settle and build a life together. Along with a house and garden, the young man planted grapevines that would grow and thrive in the rolling hills in the Shenandoah Valley. The knowledge of growing quality grapes has continued down through the generations, and now the product of that knowledge is being served to the visitors who experience the wines of Dillian. Tom Dillian is the great-grandson of that young man we mentioned earlier. Now, Tom and his son Thomas bottle the heritage, tradition and legacy of the four generations of extraordinary experience gained from the piece of land they call home where wine making is a living passion not just a saying.

Norman Rockwell paintings illustrate a moment in time where life was much more carefree. You may be the victim of a moment like that as you approach the Tasting Room and receive a greeting from ‘Pumpkin’ the winery cat. This frisky feline is a celebrity greeter of sorts offering a warm welcome to those who visit. Upon entry the friendly reception continues as this father and son duo welcome you to relax, make friends and taste some delightful wines. Tom can entertain you with the history of yesteryear or speak colorfully about the wine of today. From his great-grandfather, who settled on the land in 1917, to other local relatives, including the D’Agostini family, up to the present day Dillians, you get a sense of the commitment and continuity of the family to this land. Tom and Thomas like many in this industry are willing to share their vast knowledge and expertise gained throughout their careers. It is a major achievement to transform small lots of grapes into enjoyable and well-balanced wines and Tom has been doing that in many different capacities over the years.

Father and son, have been making wine commercially since 2001, and the Tasting Room followed in December 2003. Since opening, visitors have had a chance to get to know the Dillian family and the wines from one of the special blocks of vines on the ranch. Take for instance their ‘Hangtree’ Zinfandel, which takes its name from an old oak tree that looks like it came out of a western movie ready for use by the posse who just apprehended a gunslinger. The wine is a seriously drinkable wine, not too heavy, perfect for a light summer meal. For a bigger wine, try their 2002 Zinfandel, from their older block of Zin this fruit fills the mouth with berries and plums, with a great structure to go with a nice steak. Dillian also offers Syrah and Barbera, both from estate blocks, while handshake deals with other growers for grapes have allowed them to obtain Sauvignon Blanc and Orange Muscat for those who favor white wines. The Sauvignon Blanc is full of fruit while maintaining a crisp and dry taste, and the Muscat fulfills those with a bit of a sweet tooth. In addition, the father and son team are looking to add Petite Sirah, Sangiovese and Tempranillo in the near future.

While the current production of around 1,000 cases will slowly increase, they invest in quality, first in the vineyard, then in the winery. The Dillians feel this quality in the bottle is a tribute to the generations who came before them and they will continue to push the bar higher.

The Dillian Tasting Room is located at 12138 Steiner Road, Plymouth, CA. Tasting Room hours are Friday – Sunday 11:00 am – 4:30 pm. Telephone 209-245-3444 or visit us on the web at www.dillianwines.com