Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1061132
{ SOMMjournal.com } 111 try new stuff. Sometimes it's not going to be a home run, but at least [you're] not getting stagnant. I think that's been incred - ible advice from her." The company's history proves this guidance was repeatedly heeded, as Riboli Family Wines has undergone what Steve describes as three formulative evolutions since its founding. "Call it vision, perse - verance, or luck, but we've been able to renaissance ourselves probably three times: once in the 1970s with the develop - ment of this restaurant, touching people with food and wine and hospitality, and again in the 2000s with an investment of $50 million in estate vineyards and an ultra-premium winery," he explains. "The third time has to do with Stella Rosa— Stella Rosa taught us a lot. I consider that a renaissance period as well." The publicity that came with Stella Rosa's success heightens the stakes for the company to remain relevant while inviting more guests into the growing family of Riboli Family Wines enthusiasts. Fortu - nately, Maddalena's ethos of evolution and intimacy bleeds into all interactions and projects at the organization, including its social media presence and its approach to business extending beyond its tasting rooms in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Paso Robles. Another guiding principle, sustain - ability, is on full display at the new winery, which runs on solar power and treats and reuses all wastewater. According to Steve, the consistent application of Riboli Family Wines' direct distribution model plays a vital role in building and maintaining relationships through all market channels. "This industry, even though it's extremely sophisticated, is still very much relationship-based," he adds. "If you look at the big picture, the number of gatekeepers, there aren't that many." He also suggests that building upon the company's original foundation is even more important as new consumers of wine seek out brands they see as both credible and compelling. "The new consumer . . . I don't think they trust—they second-guess," Steve adds. "Our job as a company is to embrace [them] one on one and through technology. We didn't open up because we made our money in oil, natural gas, or selling our dot- com company. We're just normal folks, and I think the 'millennial-plus' [consumer] really embraces that." Family First When looking to the future of his family's legacy, Anthony can hardly contain his zeal for what the marriage of the new winery and the Paso Robles terroir means for the company's y p s a o c n m ' winemaking potential. With the swelling costs of Napa Valley and Sonoma products becoming increasingly prohibitive for consumers, he believes world-class wines should be accessible enough to be enjoyed on more than just special occasions. "We feel very strongly about Paso Cabernet because Napa and Sonoma are outpricing themselves—that's the reality," he explains. "We can provide a really nice bottle of Cab for 20 bucks that someone can drink on a Tuesday night, not one time a year or never. We just feel that Paso Robles is going to be the next major wine region, especially for Cabernet." Steve, meanwhile, is embracing the chal - lenge of conceiving what the next evolu- tion of the company will look like. "A lot of people say, 'Well, let's go slow.' No," he says. "It's like a rushing river : You've got to ride the rapids as best you can." The company's history of visionary lead - ership may have established its penchant for captivating broad audiences through exem- plary wines, but the strata of Riboli Family Wines' past, present, and future ultimately lies on the bedrock of family values. "We're a family company and we have every inten - tion to stay a family company. We're nurtur- ing the next generation," Steve says. The Ribolis will surely continue to grow the Stella Rosa brand while paving the way for their estate California brands to thrive, but on any given day, various family mem - bers can still be counted on to congregate in the Maddalena e a d d a n l M restaurant to share new e n ideas or offer well wishes e s w h i to guests over a plate of of spaghetti and meatballs. That's the funny thing about Riboli Family Wines: The more things change, the more re ore m they seem to stay the same. Riboli Family Wines' Stefano Vineyard is located in the El Pomar District of Paso Robles.