Growing grapes for Williams Selyem since 1980, Rochioli grapes are an integral part of the winery’s history. Williams Selyem purchased grapes from two areas of the Rochioli vineyards: New Riverblock and the celebrated Riverblock. Joe Rochioli is a grape grower by profession and comes from a farming family. His dad was an Italian immigrant, and his mother was born just down the road at Wohler Ranch. The family was growing grapes before Joe was born, along with hops, string beans and prunes. Joe has been working in the vineyard since he was in grammar school, and grapes are his favorite crop to grow.

In 1938, Joe Sr. began buying the 162 acres of land he had farmed and nourished for many years. He had an intimate bond with the land and understood that the soil of the Russian River Valley was special. His son Joe Jr. shared this connection and intuitively set his sights on clones of grapes that would thrive in this unique spot.