Meet the Winemaker: A Taste of Italy Comes to San Diego Country Estates
Discover the Gallone family’s Italian legacy and the wines of Principe di Tricase Winery.
There is a little piece of Italy tucked away in the hills of Ramona and on Wednesday, August 26, San Diego Country Estates residents will have an opportunity to experience it firsthand.
Join us for Meet the Winemaker, featuring Alessandro Gallone of Principe di Tricase Winery, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Par Lounge and Deck. The evening will include live music by Travis Billy Ross, along with an opportunity to taste wines and hear the story behind one of Ramona’s distinctive family-owned wineries.
For Alessandro, sharing the family’s wines is about more than pouring a glass. “It gives everyone a little taste of Italy.” That philosophy is at the heart of Principe di Tricase.
Located at 18425 Highland Valley Road in Ramona, Principe di Tricase Winery carries a name that reflects the Gallone family’s heritage. “Principe di Tricase” translates to “Prince of Tricase,” a town in Puglia, on the heel of Italy’s boot.
The family’s story begins with patriarch Alfredo Gallone, who was born in Italy and immigrated to the United States in the early 1980s. After years working in real estate, Alfredo purchased the Ramona property in 2005 with a vision of creating a peaceful place where he could enjoy the land, cultivate plants and spend time outdoors.
That vision gradually became something much more.
Inspired by friends and fellow winemakers in both California and Italy, Alfredo began planting grape varietals between 2006 and 2008. His first Aglianico was made in 2009, beginning what would become the family’s winemaking journey.
Today, the winery remains family-owned and is operated by Alfredo’s sons, Alessandro and Silvio. The result is a winery where generations, cultures and traditions come together in the Ramona Valley.
What makes Principe di Tricase especially intriguing is its commitment to a hands-on, traditional approach to winemaking. The winery describes itself as an artisan producer rather than simply a wine maker. Its philosophy is centered on allowing the grapes to express themselves naturally. The winery does not add sulfites, does not filter its wines and uses very little oak, primarily for its red wines. Its blends are limited and are field blends.
The winery currently grows a variety of estate grapes, with a strong emphasis on Italian varietals. Among the grapes associated with its wines are Aglianico, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Fiano, Malvasia and Aleatico, among others. And if there is one wine that represents the winery particularly well, it is Aglianico.
For the Gallone family, these grapes are more than ingredients. They are a connection to their Italian roots and to a tradition of making wine in a way that emphasizes the character of the grape, the vintage and the place where it was grown.
The winery describes its experience as entering “a little piece of Italy,” and that spirit is reflected in its relaxed, family-oriented approach to hospitality.
For Alessandro, the invitation is simple: you don't have to travel across the Atlantic to experience a little Italian tradition. “Save money on a plane ticket and drive through the gates of Principe di Tricase and experience a taste of Italy,” he says.
On August 26, Alessandro will bring that spirit directly to San Diego Country Estates. He plans to pour a selection that may include a white wine, a rosé and two reds, giving guests an opportunity to explore several expressions of the winery’s Italian-inspired, natural winemaking style. “I will definitely be pouring our flagship red wine we are best known for, Aglianico.”
Whether you are already a fan of Italian wines or simply curious to discover something new, this is an opportunity to meet the person behind the bottle, hear the family story and enjoy an evening together with neighbors and friends.
Meet the Winemaker
Wednesday, August 26
5:30–8:30 p.m.
Par Lounge and Deck
Live music by Travis Billy Ross
Featuring Alessandro Gallone of Principe di Tricase Winery
Come raise a glass, listen to some music and discover the story of a family that brought its Italian heritage to the hills of Ramona. Because sometimes you don't need a plane ticket to experience Italy; sometimes, you just need a good glass of wine, good music and good company.
