The History of Regusci Winery
"Ghost Winery" is the name given to the few remaining early Napa Valley wineries that were in existence between 1860 and 1900. Very few of these Ghost Wineries remain as the vineyards of most Napa Valley wineries were decimated by the phylloxera infestation of the 1890's. The economic depression of that decade was the final blow for many others. As a result, most of these wineries were abandoned or forced into bankruptcy and then laid dormant through prohibition. Over the years that followed, many fell into disrepair and were dismantled or absorbed into newer, more modern facilities. One example of a fantastically preserved Ghost Winery is located on the Regusci Ranch - the T.L. Grigsby-Occidental Winery.

Terrill L. Grigsby, a pioneer who came to California 1850, built the Grigsby-Occidental Winery in 1878. Today, Mr. Grigsby's family might be considered activists for the role they played in local politics and the Bear Flag Revolt in Sonoma Plaza when California declared its independence from Mexico in 1846.

The winery's handsome hand-cut stone façade, with its graceful arched windows, is crafted entirely from lava stone and has walls that are two feet thick. All three stories of the building were designed for wine production resulting in a 275,000-gallon capacity (115,500 cases). The facility was efficiently designed and used gravity to aid in production. The third or top floor was used for crushing. From there the juice was gravity fed to the second floor for settling and fermentation, and finally to the bottom floor for barrel storage and aging. However, this was not always the case. During prohibition, the first floor was used for storage, the second floor was converted to a dairy, and the third floor was quietly used as a distillery for bootleg wine. Today, the bottom floor is still used for storage and aging - but now for Regusci Winery's estate wines.

In 1932, Gaetano Regusci purchased the historic piece of property and started producing his own estate wines. As was typical in the Napa Valley in the early days, however, a farmer could not make a living growing only grapes. So, to supplement their income, the family also farmed corn, hay, prunes, and walnuts, and also raised cattle and hogs. Eventually, Gaetano's son Angelo took over the facility and continued the family tradition of farming and winemaking.

With the growing prominence of the Napa Valley as a premier wine-growing region, the family was eventually able to focus its farming on a single crop - wine grapes. In 1995, Angelo's son Jim, decided to reestablish a winery on the property and in 1996 Angelo and Jim crushed their first vintage of Stags Leap District wines. Regusci Winery opened its doors in June of 1998 showcasing its estate wines - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Chardonnay. Regusci Winery is open, by appointment only, for tours and tastings.