Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1025306
september 2018 / the tasting panel / 71 Winery's former crush pad is a bustling establishment—aptly named the Maddalena Restaurant—that seats up to 400 people. "It's been a great symbiotic relationship between the restaurant and the tasting room," Anthony explains. "Some people come to eat and they end up buying wine; some come to buy wine and end up eating." By the 1960s, the vineyards that once carpeted the hills of Los Angeles were paved with housing tracts. The couple looked northward, purchasing grapes throughout the Central Coast and Napa Valley, and, with the help of their three children, eventually buying vineyards in Monterey during the 1970s. In 1986, Maddalena saw an opportunity to purchase yet another site: a small vineyard in Napa Valley's Rutherford district. Maddalena was well-aware that diversification would be critical to the longevity of the family business, and Anthony says his grandmother constantly sought ways to reinvest their earnings. "She would say, 'Don't just sit on the money; you've got to do some- thing with it.' Real estate has become a part of who we are, and she was the one who really spearheaded that," he adds. Gateway to Greatness In its early years, San Antonio Winery was known for producing casual jug wines. However, as American palates began to favor more refined varietal wines in the late 1970s, the family embraced this shift through the creation of the Maddalena line of vintage-specific releases. "She was very much a part of that [project], saying, 'This trend is coming; we need to be moving forward with trends,'" Anthony says. "I think that's been the greatest influence for me—she's always told us to challenge things instead of being stagnant." Beyond their enduring partnership as husband and wife, Stefano and Maddalena have maintained a united front in their business relationship, as well: Their shared work ethic, combined with Maddalena's savvy ambition, was fundamental to their prosperity. Today, the Riboli family's matriarch remains tenacious in voicing her merited equality. When the family recently purchased vineyards in Paso Robles, they named one of the parcels after Stefano. "When I found out, I was very happy. However, I also wanted a vineyard named for me, so I called Anthony and told him he needed to find a property for the Maddalena Vineyard," Maddalena explains. "Once the Stefano Vineyard was completed, I saw a beautiful photo of a cus- tom wrought-iron gate. I deserved a gate as well, so Anthony had a beauti- ful gate built for me." Even as female professionals increas- ingly wield more power and influence in the wine industry, the #MeToo movement and the still-underwhelming statistics of women in leadership roles should serve as a reminder that more progress is needed. After a career spent proving her indisputable worth, Maddalena has her own advice for women today: "Never be discour- aged. Keep working hard. Success will breed more success with hard work and vision." Stefano and Maddalena have passed down their enduring wine legacy to their children and grandchildren. PHOTO: JEREMY BALL Maddalena and Stefano Riboli (both seated) are pictured with members of their family (standing, from left to right): Steve Riboli, Santo Riboli, Anthony Riboli, Lisa Riboli-Elzholz, Dante Colombatti, Cathy Riboli-Colombatti, and Christopher Riboli.