Keeping it in the Family: Andrew Nalle Philosophizes About Life as a Family Winemaker

The first thing I notice about Nalle Winery in Healdsburg is the row of gnarled, thick stumped Zinfandel vines lining the pathway up to the large red barn where the Nalle family makes their wine. The vines look much older than many of the other grapevines I’ve seen planted in wineries nearby, and indeed they are. These vines, planted in 1927 by Andrew Nalle’s great grandfather attest to the long lineage, hard work and love for the earth that characterizes the wines of Nalle Winery. At age 29, Andrew Nalle is working closely with his father Doug to keep the tradition alive.

KW: Tell me a little about the history of Nalle Winery.

AN: Nalle Winery was founded in 1984 by my mom and dad. We used to have the winery just up the road, but we moved here in 1990. This is my grandmother’s land. My great great grandparents came here from Ohio to raise sheep and grow fruit; they were farmers. They bought this land in 1927. That’s when those Zinfandel grapes were planted.

KW: So I take it you grew up with wine.

AN: Absolutely. All I remember is wine. When I was a baby, my mom would give me a little Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) on my finger. As I got older, my parents would always let me try the wine that was on the table, but watered down a little.