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The history of Black Ridge started in the mid 1800's with Salvatore Scotto, in Ischia, Italy. Like many in his day, he made wine for the family table and sold the excess; while presenting his wine to a new neighbor, he met his future bride. He then taught his first son, Dominic, everything he knew about making wine. In the years ahead Dominic followed in his father's footsteps, making wine for his family in his spare time while he worked as a ship's caulker. In 1903 his family immigrated to New York and eventually settled in Brooklyn, where he practiced his trade on the wooden ships docked at ports up and down the east coast. He resumed his second career as a winemaker and started selling five gallon crocks of red wine to the neighbors from his horse drawn wagon. As his wine business grew, he decided to become a retailer and opened Scotto Liquors right after Prohibition. Dominic passed the business on to his son, Sal after he returned after two tours in the Army. In 1953 he and his brother, Anthony, bought Colucci Wholesale and created the Villa Armando brand. For the next few years, Caesar Mondavi bottled Villa Armando at the Charles Krug winery in Napa. In 1961 the Scottos bought the Gariti Winery in Pleasanton, which they renamed Villa Armando. For the first time, they could control the quality from vineyard to bottle. Today, Villa Armando is one of the oldest wine brands in the U.S. Anthony's oldest son, Anthony II, was born a few years later and started in the family business when he was a teenager. He became a winemaker, winery owner, exporter and wine consultant. Today, Anthony's son, grandson and granddaughter have carried on the family business under a new label, Blue Moon Wines of which Black Ridge is a part. They still sell Villa Armando, along with their newer brands, in the U.S. and Europe, and continue to make wine at their two Lodi wineries. As Jim Yerkes, consulting winemaker, says, "Vines and grapes talk, and winemakers have to listen." That is Jim's simple way of saying that he tries to bring out the best in the fruit to make well balanced food wines. Chardonnay is one of the most versatile food wines, one important reason why it is also America's favorite white wine. Serve this classic version before meals or will seafood, chicken, or try it with risotto or pasta with a light sauce. June 2010 Classic Series Newsletter (.pdf)
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