Take a look at new Sacramento area winery, dazzling venue — ‘a dream come true’
A new winery in Amador County — 24 years in the making — has opened with a 6,500-square-foot tasting room and space for weddings and other events.
With the new location in the Gold Rush town of Ione, Domenico Winery now boasts a pair of California venues. The second winery is a long-awaited achievement for the winemakers.
“Bringing Domenico Winery to life has truly been a dream come true for our family,” owner and winemaker Dominick Chirichillo said. “We’ve owned this property since 2000, and from the moment we planted the vineyards, our vision was to one day build a winery here. Growing up in a traditional Italian household, surrounded by the rich aromas of homemade food and the art of winemaking, I was fortunate to experience this deep connection to our heritage from an early age.”
Chirichillo grows six estate wines: Syrah, Primitivo (Italian Zinfandel), Aglianico, Montepulciano, Nero d’ Avola and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Able to accommodate 400 people, Domenico Winery is opening in phases. The first phase was the tasting room and event space, which are now open to the public.
Chirichillo encourages visitors to do a tasting or pack a lunch, buy a bottle of wine and walk down to Goffinet Reservoir, which was built in the 1950s, to enjoy the scenery.
The tasting room and events venue occupies the first floor of a relaxed farmhouse-style building with modern industrial touches. The space is highlighted by dark tones and textured stone that complements whitewashed wood finishes, sculptured burnished brass and Brazilian Quartzite, “creating a sophisticated and contemporary aesthetic, making it comfortable, casual, and inviting,” according to a news release.
The second level is home to two bridal suites/meeting rooms with private restrooms, plus two mezzanine balconies overlooking the event space.
“For me, this winery is more than just a business — it’s a tribute to my grandfather, Domenico Giovinazzo, who not only taught me the craft of winemaking but also instilled in me a passion for it,” Chirichillo said. “My grandfather was one of seven brothers who migrated from Calabria, Italy, and each year, they all made their own wine. When they gathered, there were always lively debates over whose wine was the best — a tradition that truly speaks to the heart of our family.”
Dominick teams up on the new venture with his wife Gloria Chirichillo. They are also proprietors of the award-winning Domenico Winery in San Carlos, California, along with sons Nick and Matty and their wives.
The winery, located at 11655 Paine Road in Ione, has even bigger plans. Phase 2 will include:
▪ Outdoor event spaces with an open-air covered patio for ceremonies, weddings and other events
▪ Outdoor exhibition space with a cooking area
▪ Outdoor amphitheater for concerts, speakers and other performers.
▪ Art in residency program, where artists can share their stories
▪ Hiking trails
▪ Bocce ball
▪ A historic archaeological kiln and grinding rock
The property, once a cattle ranch, was originally inhabited by the indigenous Miwok people. Chirichillo said that he wanted to honor and respect the Miwoks’ legacy through “careful stewardship of the land.” That means bringing all 420 acres of the property, including eight acres of vineyards, back to an organic state through the practice of sustainable and regenerative farming.
The intact lime kiln he hopes to highlight in the second stage of the winery’s development is tucked into the acreage. It was installed in 1859 by J.H. Bonham, just five years after Amador became a California county, according to a news release. The kiln was used to produce plaster and mortar from the native limestone to use in constructing buildings in the Amador towns of Sutter Creek and Jackson.
Amador County is home to more than 45 family-run wineries. The nearest wineries to Domenico are Tanis Vineyard Winery and Covergence Vineyard, about five minutes away. The nearest wedding and events venue is about 10 miles away in Plymouth.
This story was originally published October 7, 2024 at 1:37 PM.
