about us
La Serenissima Vineyards and Winery was established in 1999, when John Tiso bought the Warner Springs property. John was born in Italy where his family had produced wine in their native Padua for generations. “As a child, the vineyard marked my seasons,” John tells visitors. “I can still clearly remember our home with the vineyard surrounding it, the celebration of the harvest, the first taste of new wine.” John’s passion for wine and the knowledge handed down from his grandfather has brought his dream of producing world-class grapes and wines to reality here in California—a dream and reality that we share with our clients and friends.
Like John’s forebears, we trust and cherish our land and both use and conserve natural resources. Located on a hill, gravity moves the wines from initial processing to the underground cellar. There the surrounding earth provides natural refrigeration as wines age in carefully selected oak barrels. And time rather than additives brings our wines to their fullest peak of flavor.
Both owning and directly operating our boutique winery, we are able to give great attention to every stage of the process in order to produce wines that are known for their expression, complexity and elegance. We take great pride in our wines and continually explore and refine the mysterious art of creating a unique harmony of color, scent and flavor for each one.
Our Wine is our story. It's taste of tradition, of love for the vineyard, and a respect for nature.
Since the beginning, the goal was to cultivate high quality grapes that would express the passions & traditions of classic Venetian estate wine making.
Sustainable agriculture and organic farming practices (no fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides and minimal watering) generate low grape yields but with exceptional fruit quality.
We follow traditional wine making practices from careful harvest to oak barrel fermentation. Our wines are racked- not filtered- to achieve a greater depth of character.
Every year, Mother Nature gives us unique and valuable grapes. We do the rest with all the passion that has distinguished our wines for years.
Tony Tiso, our winemaker, has taken over most of the day to day operation of the vineyard and, like his father, is passionate about every step of the winemaking process. From vineyard to winery to bottling line, Tony has followed his father’s vision of sustainably producing high quality wine.
At the same time, Tony follows developments in viticulture and wine production, both in Europe and the United States, incorporating those practices that enhance the quality of the wine and protect the land that produces it.
Ada Tiso is the creative mind behind marketing La Serenissima. She is also responsible for the superb harvest and spring feasts enjoyed by La Serenissima wine-club members, balancing family responsibilities with business–another age-old tradition.
Our Vineyard
From the beginning our goal has been to cultivate high quality grapes that would express the passions & traditions of classic Venetian estate wine making. The first grape vines planted in 1999 were the red wines for which this area is particularly suited–Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Our first wine, brought out in 2001, was a Cabernet Sauvignon and with it we designed the signature label you see today. Within a few years we added a traditional, rare Italian white grape, Arneis. Arneis, finicky, not suited for mass production but capable of superb wine, is particularly dear to John’s heart because it was almost lost and he has a passion for recovering lost treasures. We also added the black Tempranillo grape which makes a robust red wine. Our second white wine, Pinot Grigio, was released for the first time in 2015.
Sustainable agriculture and organic farming practices (no fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides and minimal watering) generate low grape yields but exceptional fruit quality. Traditional practices characterize the winemaking from careful harvest to oak barrel fermentation. Our wines are racked- not filtered- to achieve a greater depth of character.