The Donati Family Estate Vineyard site enjoys a variety of soils from limestone to decomposed granite to clay loam, and access to the cooling ocean breezes of the Monterey Bay. Aged in oak for 22 months with a combination of American and French barrels. When Ron Donati (founder, president, chief executive officer, and chairman of Zycon) sold his electronics firm in 1997, it was to slow life down a bit and get back to basics. A decade later, Ron Donati, with the same passionate mentality of “anything worth doing is worth doing well,” is solidly on his way to another illustrious career as a vintner. In this particular venture, his son Matt Donati is his partner, and the future looks very bright for many Donati generations to come.
Ron Donati is a second generation Italian-American, recalling his earliest wine experiences at the family dinner table. “My father and grandfather always had wine with dinner. When I was in my early teens, they’d mix it with about 70 percent water, and serve it to us at Sunday dinners and on special occasions,” he recalls.
With wine being such an innate part of one’s culture, it makes perfect sense to eventually return to those roots. Additionally, with farming usually being framed as a family endeavor, partnering with one of his three sons was a component of this inherent process. Each of Ron’s sons is working in tandem with their father, each in a separate industry. For the wine business, Matt Donati is best suited, and has just naturally become a passionate viticulturist. With 1,000 acres surrounding his home in Paicines, Matt has 400 of those acres planted primarily to Bordeaux varieties.
“It’s a rare person who creates a business to provide for his or her own passions, and then makes it completely supportive and inclusive for one’s children. Ron’s one of those exceptional people. And… Ron and Matt’s attention to detail is bearing the glorious fruit of their labor.”
– Jo Diaz
This beautifully crafted Merlot that tips its hat to Cabernet Sauvignon offers deep, rich notes of cocoa, hickory, maple syrup, and vanilla.
Enjoy this refined, distinct domestic red with your favourite meats, whether roasted, seared, or grilled.
:”This is the definition of a Cabernet Sauvignon Lovers Merlot. Flavors of Cocoa-Hickory-Maple Syrup-Vanilla. Loaded with spices. What A wine….. Best Served with any Grilled or Broiled Meats.”
– Jim Lufty, Fine Wine Source