Vallecito, CA…Stevenot Winery is now open for wine tastings with safety precautions in place. Reservations recommended with limited availability of walk-in tastings as well. Social distance, wear your face coverings, enjoy a beautiful winery setting and great wines today.
On January 16, 2019 the Oliveto Family purchased the former location of Irish Vineyards in Vallecito, CA. This is the now the location of the Stevenot Winery production facility as well as a second Tasting Room currently opened every Saturday and Sunday. “We are excited to have this opportunity to move the production facility back to Calaveras County and to be close to Murphys.” stated Jon Oliveto, President and Production Manager for Stevenot Winery. With everyone in the company living in Murphys it made sense to pursue the opportunity. Over the past few months the Oliveto family has started on the complete remodeling to include the winery and tasting room as well as the historic Batten House. “We have so many plans including more parties and bringing live music to this venue. On weekends we will have winery and vineyard tours including barrel tastings.” said Lorraine Oliveto, Tasting Room Manager for both locations. Stevenot will be doing their crush in the new location and then begin production shortly after that working with Stevenot’s Winemaker, Nancy Steel. Stay tuned and look for more information on events and the Grand Opening!
More about the history of Stevenot Winery and the Oliveto Family . . . . .
Wine, gold, history, and heritage are all part of the rich and colorful tradition that is Stevenot Winery. With a new Winery Property and Tasting Room located in Vallecito and the Tasting Room on Main Street located in downtown Murphys, in the heart of the Sierra Foothills of Calaveras County, Stevenot’s beginnings hark back long before their first release of wine in 1979.
The first Stevenots came to the area during the great Gold Rush of the mid 1800’s. During that time vineyards began cropping up throughout the region as miners from France, Germany, and Italy were creating a demand for wine on an unprecedented scale. At one time the Sierra Foothills rivaled the areas of Napa and Sonoma combined in vineyard acreage with over 100 wineries established.
Although the industry eventually declined with the advent of prohibition, it wasn’t long before a fifth generation member of the Stevenot family took up where his family had left off and established the winery in the late 1970’s. Recognized as one of the pioneers of the rebirth of wine production in the Sierra Foothills, Stevenot Winery quickly secured its reputation for producing world class wines and for their innovative and award winning style.
A New Generation
On February 10, 2010 Oliveto Distributing, Inc. became the proud new owner of Stevenot Wines, operating the Stevenot Tasting Room on Murphys’ Main Street, as well as the Stevenot Wine Club. Brothers Jon Oliveto and David Oliveto are the Owners of the well-respected and long-standing distribution company previously based out of Sutter Creek and now located in Vallecito. “We are very honored and excited to have this opportunity!” exclaims David Oliveto, Vice President of Stevenot Winery. “We want to carry on the tradition of Barden Stevenot and grow the business. Stevenot has always been a quality brand, well respected in the community and has always sold very well. This compliments the wine in the bottle.” The Oliveto family has distributed Stevenot wines since the early 1980’s, when White Zinfandel was their best seller. “It’s all about quality.” adds Jon. “We have been in the distribution business our whole lives and will continue to focus on wine making.”
Oliveto Family History
Born and raised in Jackson, Jon and David began working at very early ages, with their father Ross Oliveto’s milk distributing business which opened in the late 1960’s. With close to 50 years in the industry serving the region, the Oliveto family knows the business and the community well.
In 1979 the milk distribution company was sold and the Oliveto family went into the beer and soft drink distribution business serving Calaveras, Amador and Tuolumne counties. In the early 1980’s a wine division was added. The company was honored with the Miller Masters award in the early 1990’s, placing them in the top seven distributors in the United States. They were also awarded the High Life Achievement by Miller Brewing Company in 2002 and 2003, given to the top 40 distributors out of a roster of 450 companies.
The community has embraced Jon and David with open arms. “It surprises us how excited people are about our new venture.” Jon said. “We are receiving overwhelming support.”
Jon and his wife Lori now live in Murphys. David has lived in Calaveras County for 20 years and resides in Murphys with his wife, Lorraine. Daughters Elizabeth and Brooke (with her husband Robert and newborn son Cashton) are also residents of Murphys.
This event repeats weekly every Sunday Monday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday until 09/24/2020