The best-selling California wine comes with a big surprise: a focus is sustainable winemaking

The bestselling wine brand in California isn’t from California. It’s not Meiomi or Mondavi or The Prisoner.  It’s an easy-drinking Italian import called Stella Rosa, created by the Riboli Family Wines, a company based in downtown Los Angeles, far from the Sonoma’sRussian River and  Napa’s Diamond Mountain.

For more than a century, the Riboli family has been involved in California’s wine industry and making wine for four generations. Even through Prohibition, when they landed a contract to make sacramental wine for Roman Catholic masses, they’ve made wine — all kinds of wine, from jug wines to appellation wines.

Today, Riboli Family Wines is being shaped and directed by these fourth-generation family members, each committed to environmental sustainability, supporting others within the business and creating quality wines.

I had dinner recently with Anthony Riboli, the fourth-generation winemake who’s led the way by purchasing land in Monterey and Paso Robles and planting sustainable vineyards. Today, the Riboli family sells their wines in the U.S., the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, Korea – and Texas.

“This is an important market for us,” Riboli told me. “And Texans are sophisticated wine buyers. They know a lot about wine.”

That’s why Stella Rosa is just one part of the Riboli Family Wine Group. The family business produces a wide range of wines at various price points, including Stella, the affordable San Antonio Cardinale and the exclusive San Simeon Stormwatch.  And with estate vineyards in Paso Robles and Monterey, they are able to produce high-quality wines that reflect the unique terroir of these regions.

As one of the fastest-growing wine companies in the United States today, the Riboli family is thinking about what’s next (family motto: “sempre avanti,” which translates to “always move forward”).

Riboli says the family’s commitment to sustainability and environmentally friendly practices sets them apart from other large wine companies. Riboli uses organic farming methods in their vineyards and employ innovative technologies in their winemaking process to reduce their impact on the environment. As a result, they have received several awards and certifications for their efforts, including recognition from the California Green Business Network.

That’s not just a trend or a marketing tactic, says Riboli. It’s a reflection of the family’s deep respect for the land and their commitment to future generations. Riboli says this is why they have made significant investments in technology and infrastructure to ensure that their winemaking practices are environmentally sustainable.

With a commitment to quality and sustainability, combined with their rich history and diverse portfolio, Riboli Family Wines is a standout among California wine producers. Whether you’re a fan of Stella Rosa or looking to try something new, Riboli Family Wines has something to offer.