Russian River Valley • Healdsburg, California

Wine shaped
by place.

A digital heritage portrait of C. Donatiello — a winery built around small-lot Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, organic vineyards, thoughtful hospitality, and the character of Sonoma's Russian River Valley.

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C. Donatiello Winery • Russian River Valley

A Sonoma story

Elegance begins
in the vineyard.

C. Donatiello was founded by Christopher Donatiello with a focus on expressing the Russian River Valley through small-lot Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Contemporary winemaking technology was paired with old-world attention to vineyard character.

The original winery and tasting experience became known for its organic estate vineyard, aroma garden, hospitality center, and intimate music events.

The beginning

From a former estate to a distinctive Sonoma label.

Christopher Donatiello, a former New York wine and spirits distributor, partnered with investor Bill Hambrecht to transform the former Belvedere Winery site on Westside Road near Healdsburg. The new C. Donatiello operation launched in the late 2000s.

Its first focus was deliberately narrow: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with fruit from an organically farmed estate vineyard and selected Russian River Valley sites. That concentration helped establish a style centered on vineyard individuality rather than sheer volume.

2006First vintage
2Core varietals
Russian RiverSignature region

The cellar

Two grapes. Many expressions.

Historic wines and vineyard references associated with the C. Donatiello story.

Signature red

Pinot Noir

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir was the heart of the portfolio, with single-vineyard bottlings showing red fruit, spice, earth, and finely structured oak.

Signature white

Chardonnay

Chardonnay received the same vineyard-first attention, balancing fruit, acidity, texture, and the character of its growing site.

Single vineyard

Floodgate • Maddie's • Orsi

Historic releases included vineyard-designated wines such as Floodgate Vineyard, Maddie's Vineyard, and Orsi Vineyard.

“
The goal was never simply to make wine — it was to let the vineyard's personality come through.
THE C. DONATIELLO PHILOSOPHY

The original experience

A tasting room surrounded by living aromatics.

The original Westside Road property was designed as more than a cellar. The estate featured an organically farmed vineyard and an aroma garden planted with herbs, flowers, and fruits chosen to echo the aromas found in Burgundian varieties.

The winery also hosted “Live From the Middle Reach,” bringing singer-songwriters and summer gatherings into the vineyard setting.

01Organic estate vineyard
02Aroma garden & hospitality center
03Wine, food & intimate music

A preserved chapter

The C. Donatiello name remains tied to a distinct chapter of Russian River Valley wine.

Historical sources document the winery's launch, vineyard program, tasting-room culture, and later transition away from the original Westside Road facility. This page preserves that story without implying that every historic tasting-room detail remains current.

ARCHIVEC. DonatielloHealdsburg • Sonoma County

Historic address

4035 Westside Road

Healdsburg, California

Original winery siteRussian River Valley
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