Today we’d like to introduce you to Jimmy and Shelly Zanoli. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Jimmy and Shelly Zanoli, driven by a shared passion for wine, embarked on their winemaking journey with their project, ZANOLI. The couple, united in Paso Robles in 2008 and married in 2010, cultivate their love for food and wine, focusing on vineyards with Schist and Calcareous soils in California’s Central Coast. Jimmy’s winemaking roots trace back to 1998 when his father planted a vineyard in Templeton Gap District. After honing his skills at Bella Luna and Eberle Winery, Jimmy made a mark in the industry. Meanwhile, Shelly, inspired while working for hospitality giants like The Mission Inn and Four Seasons Hotel, took a leap to join Justin Vineyards and Winery in Paso Robles in 2008. Seeking to advance their careers, the couple moved to Napa in 2012. Jimmy contributed his expertise to Heitz Wine Cellars, Sodaro Estate Winery, and Failla Wines. At the same time, Shelly excelled in event coordination and hospitality roles at Hunnicutt and WM Harrison Winery in Saint Helena.
In 2015, Jimmy had the opportunity to become a full-time winemaker at Bella Luna, and with his wife, they launched ZANOLI. The couple swiftly returned to Paso Robles, channeling their focus on crafting wines reminiscent of the Rhone Valley in France with minimal intervention and using grapes from limestone and calcareous soils.
Their venture thrived, and in June 2018, they welcomed their son, Rocco James Zanoli. Jimmy and Shelly invite enthusiasts to savor their wines and join them on their journey in the winemaking world as they continue to explore and expand their offerings. This dedication to excellence and innovation is a testament to their passion for winemaking and commitment to sharing their journey with others.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Along the way, there were many obstacles, including finding the right vineyards and having them available or being put on a waitlist for the fruit. Having the right size space for the tasting room, production, and storage has been a challenge, too.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Treating every guest like a visitor in our home. We believe wine should be a part of everyday life, and visiting our tasting room should be as comfortable as hanging out in your home. Visitors don’t belly up to a bar at ZANOLI; we’ve created an intimate environment where we connect over the wine, the ambiance, and being in great company while sitting together in the comfort of cozy chairs. Our tasting room is designed to look and feel like the living room we all want to relax in, and we share our passion for our wines and wine culture with our guests as we do our friends—with warmth, camaraderie, and candor.
We’re excited about all types of artistry beyond winemaking, especially music. Inspired by Jimmy’s grandfather’s extensive vinyl collection and his post-work wind-down routine of spinning cool tunes over a martini, we’ve extended our at-home aesthetic with a vintage vinyl area in the tasting room open to everyone. We encourage people to get hands-on and choose the album they want to hear because creating that perfect environment where the wine, people, and song all go together is magic. When hitting right, it pulls at your heartstrings and creates a memory beyond what’s in the glass.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
You must have a passion for wine, winemaking, and people skills. This is not for the faint of heart. Make sure to go into the project with the right team behind you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.zanoliwines.com/
- Instagram: ZANOLIwines
- Facebook: ZANOLIwines
- Yelp: ZANOLI Wines
Image Credits
Danika Drue
