Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/793596
62 / the tasting panel / march 2017 not often that you see a family business survive the transition from the first to the second generation, much less to the third generation. Yet the Riboli family, owners of San Antonio Winery, based in Downtown Los Angeles since 1917, celebrates 100 years this year with no sign of slowing down well into its fourth generation. One of the greatest challenges for any family business is complacency. That's not an issue here. The key to this family's success is their ability to constantly adapt, take on new ventures and, most importantly, work together as a team. Faith Saves the Winery When Stefano Riboli's uncle, Santo Cambianica, moved to California in 1912 from a small town in northern Italy, Los Angeles was already established as the premiere wine region in the state, with nearly 100 bonded wineries in operation. Many of these wineries were located right down the street from the Southern Pacific Railroad yard where Cambianica worked. Back home, every family had a small vineyard to make their own wine. With L.A.'s growing Italian population and lack of space for a home vineyard, Cambianica saw an opportunity. In 1917, he purchased a small lot on Lamar Street where he placed an abandoned railroad car and founded San Antonio Winery—named for the patron saint of lost things, St. Anthony of Padua. Only two years later, the Volstead Act passed and Prohibition decimated the wine industry. Due to his devout faith and the winery's dedication to St. Anthony, Cambianica made a deal with the Catholic Church, which contracted the winery for sacramental and ceremonial wine production. By the time Prohibition was over in 1933, the winery's production had grown from 5,000 cases to 20,000 cases. In 1937, Cambianica's nephew, Stefano Riboli, immigrated from Italy as tensions were building overseas. At age 16, Riboli began his apprenticeship with his uncle, proving himself instrumental to the family business. The Second & Third Generations Years later, Riboli was visiting the countryside outside Los Angeles and set his eyes upon a beautiful girl on a tractor. He said to himself, "Wow, she's a beautiful woman and she can drive a tractor, so she must be a hard worker—I want to marry her." Maddalena Satragni wasn't exactly agreeable to the idea at first, but Stefano's persistence paid off and the couple married in 1946. Maddalena immediately joined in as an integral part of the business. The Ribolis dedicated their life to their work, so when Cambianica passed in 1956, he granted the Ribolis full ownership of San Antonio Winery to pass on to their children. Over the years, the family has been quick to adapt in the face of new challenges. In the 1960s, they opened a tasting room and mini deli where Maddalena prepared sandwiches for railroad workers and tasters to enjoy with COVER STORY Members of the Riboli family (left to right): Lisa Riboli-Elzholz, Anthony Riboli, Dante Colombatti and Christopher Riboli. IT'S