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The First Generation

Swiss immigrant James Varozza, the great grandfather of the current proprietor, Jack Varozza, arrives in St. Helena and finds vineyard work on the top of Spring Mountain and as a Forman at Bale Grist Mill. He and his wife Jennie had three children, Joseph, Meile and Elva. They returned to Switzerland for five years when Joseph was two – only to return to St. Helena five years later.

 

 

From Stone & Wood

The two story stone and wood winery on Pratt Avenue was finished and dedicated as commissioned by German immigrant and original property owner, Emil Zange.

 

 

Meanwhile on Langtree Road

After growing up on Spring Street, Joseph Varozza, son of James, purchases the local Blacksmith Shop and 600 acres on what is now Langtree Road.

 

 

Love and Family

Joseph Varozza marries his first wife, Mary and had four children: Robert, June, Joseph and James.

 

 

 

A Fresh Start

Joseph purchases the winery and 38 acre vineyard property on Pratt Avenue, originally held by Emil Zange, after an injury forces him to sell the Blacksmith Shop.

 

 

A second chance for Love

Joseph married his second wife, Mary Rossini whose father, Carlo, had vineyards and made wine in what is now Bell Canyon. They go on to raise four children on the ranch: Charlie, Josie, Alice and Harold.

 

 

 

The Second Generation

Jack's father, Harold Anton Varozza is born on May 22, 1927.

 

 

 

Prohibition

Joseph survives prohibition by selling his grapes and making sacramental wine for the church...and likely for some neighbors!

 

 

Loss of a Pioneer

Joseph Varozza dies after farming and making wine on the property for 32 years.

 

 

Surviving Hardship

Mary sells the last of Joseph’s wines and begins selling the property’s grapes to the other wineries in the area.

 

 

Returning Home

Joseph and Mary’s son, Harold, arrives home from serving his country in World War II and purchases the ranch from his Mother. He and his wife, Irene, build a home on the property and he continues the business of taking care of the vineyards and selling the grapes.

 

 

The Third Generation

Jack Varozza is born.

 

 

Scholarly Success

Jack graduates from St. Helena High School.

 

 

Close to Home

Jack moves into his late Grandfather’s home on the property. His parents still reside in the house they built on the property where Jack was raised.

 

 

Love & New Beginnings

After being introduced at a party by mutual friends, Jack marries his wife Dianna. Dianna’s moves with Jack into his grandfather's home on the family property he still shares with his parents.

 

The Fourth Generation

Jack and Dianna’s son, Jason is born, St. Helena’s fifth generation of Varozzas to occupy the 38 acre estate.

 

 

Changing Hands

After spending the better part of his early lifetime learning grape growing at his father’s side, Jack Varozza leases the property from his parents and takes over all vineyard and winery operations.

 

 

Back to Our Roots

Jack and Dianna produce the first vintages of Varozza Vineyards wines in more than 5 decades, laying down a deeper foundation for their on-going legacy.

 

 

Labor of Love

Jack begins an arduous labor of love: the restoration of and retrofitting of Varozza’s history stone and wood winery.

 

 

Restoring Our Legacy

After six years of wrangling and red tape, Jack’s restoration plans for the winery are finally approved and construction begins.

 

 

Passing the Torch

Jack Varozza loses his father Harold Varozza.

 

A Rising Star

Jack and Dianna appoint Kristy Melton, as consulting winemaker.

 

 

Honoring Our Blood Line

Jack and Dianne make the decision to modernize their packaging and add a very personal wine to their portfolio: Varozza ‘Bloodline’ making their 100th year and 5th generation of ownership and operation of their historic site.

 

 

In His Father’s Footsteps

As his father had years earlier, Jack and Dianna’s son, Jason, graduates from St. Helena High School. Varozza Vineyards: 1 hundred years. 5 generations. 1 bloodline.