Timeline
1894 – Gasparé Indelicato is born in Campobello, Sicily.
1912 – Gasparé immigrates to America.
1921 – Gasparé marries Caterina, whom he met while picking grapes in a Lodi, California vineyard. Caterina was also of Italian origin, from a small town near Naples.
1924 – Gasparé begins planting grapes at his home in Manteca, California.
1919-1933 – Prohibition: Sale of beverage alcohol is illegal; however, there is an exception for home winemaking of 200 gallons per family per year. Gasparé takes full advantage of the law by growing grapes and shipping them to cities across the country for home winemakers.
1935 – First grapes crushed: Gasparé and his brother-in-law, along with their twin wives, set up a hand driven press in their old hay barn. First vintage yields 3,451 gallons (1,400 cases).
1950-1958 – The second generation: Frank, Anthony and Vincent take over the business; begin making custom wines for other California vintners. Company earns the nickname "The Winemakers Winemaker" due to quality of wines produced.
1950 – Delicato introduces wines under its own name, with such favorites as Green Hungarian, Pink Tingle and Sauternes.
1962 – Gasparé passes away.
1981 – Members of the third generation begin working at the winery.
1983 – First Delicato Charity Grape Stomp at Manteca winery: Begins an annual community tradition to celebrate old world winemaking.
1984 – Monterey AVA (American Viticultural Area) established.
1987 – The Indelicato family purchases 110 acres from the Prudential Company and begins construction on a new winery in the middle of San Bernabe Vineyard in Monterey County.
1988 – Family purchases entire San Bernabe property, an 11,000 acre ranch with vineyards and open space dedicated to cattle and row crops.
1989-1999 – San Bernabe Vineyard painstakingly replanted to optimize quality production by focusing on specific varieties and clones, rootstock selection and trellising methods best suited to San Bernabe's unique terroir.
1995 – The sliding grapevine grow tube is introduced at San Bernabe and adopted by vineyards worldwide.
1995 – The Indelicato family purchases Clay Station Vineyard, once a historic stagecoach stop and ranch in Lodi, California.
1996 – Delicato releases new range of popular premium wines.
1996 – The Smart-Dyson trellising system is introduced at San Bernabe, optimizing factors related to wind direction.
1996-1999 – Following Delicato's 1988 lead, other high profile winemakers are attracted to Monterey's ideal grape growing climate.
2000 – The Executive Offices are moved to Napa, California.
2001 – Delicato Family Vineyards is awarded the distinction of "Best American Winery" by 40 Masters of Wine at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in London.
2001 – Delicato Shiraz wins the first of three consecutive "Best Shiraz of California" awards at the California State Fair. The second and third wins follow in 2002 and 2003.
2002 – Delicato wins "Best American Winery" at the London International Wine & Spirit Competition for the second consecutive year.
2003 – Clay Station is introduced, offering wines that are uniquely expressive of the terroir in Lodi, Calif.
2003 – Anthony Indelicato passes away.
2003 – Bota Box 3.0L is introduced, allowing consumers to enjoy premium California wines by the glass without the worry of waste or spoilage.
2003 – Delicato Shiraz is named the #1 Best Buy of 2003 by Wine Enthusiast magazine.
2003 – Bota Box is featured as one of the hot trends for the New Year on NBC's Today Show.
2004 – Chris Indelicato, 3rd generation family member, is appointed CEO and President.
2004 – San Bernabe receives the designation of the newest American Viticulture Area (AVA). Delicato's remarkable San Bernabe Vineyard property now makes up approximately half of the new AVA.
2005 – Gnarly Head is introduced, showcasing Lodi's old vine Zinfandel grapes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir follow.
2006 – Irony is introduced, adding wines from distinctive Napa Valley, Monterey and Russian River vineyards to the Delicato portfolio.
2006 – 337 Cabernet Sauvignon wine is introduced to highlight the lush character and supple tannins of this unique French clone which thrives in Lodi, California.
2007 – Twisted wines are launched nationwide.
2007 – Delicato Family Vineyards creates National Sales and Marketing division called DFV Wines.
2007 - DFV Wines named "American Winery of the Year" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
2007 – Loredona Vineyards is introduced, featuring aromatic white wines from vineyard estates in Monterey and Lodi, California.
2008 – Brazin launches with the Brazin Lodi Zinfandel. Brazin Dry Creek Zinfandel and Single Vineyard Zinfandels follow in 2009.
2009 – 181 Merlot is introduced to showcase this highly acclaimed Bordeaux clone which flourishes in Lodi, California.
2009 – DFV Wines hits three million case mark (three million cases shipped within a single calendar year).
2010 – DFV Wines purchases Black Stallion Winery in the Napa Valley.
2010 – DFV Wines celebrates 75 Years of Winemaking Excellence.