Four Generations in Wine
When you meet Donny Sebastiani, you get the sense that he is pretty comfortable in the world of wine. That’s not surprising, given his family history. As one of the four generations of Sebastianis in the wine business, Donny doesn’t have to look far for inspiration.
The best thing a company can offer is well-made products of consistent quality. That’s our family tradition, and that continues to be our vision.
– Donny Sebastiani
12 CONSECUTIVE YEARS!
Don Sebastiani & Sons is a family-owned company rooted in the Sonoma Valley, with a winery in Napa Valley. Established in 2001 by Don Sebastiani & his two sons, Donny and August, the company is now led by Donny Sebastiani, great-grandson of Samuele, the Sebastiani patriarch.
Since 1904, the family’s adventures have often included making and marketing products complementary to wine. Beginning in 2009, fourth-generation proprietor Donny Sebastiani expanded his family’s vision to include other aspects of the “Mediterranean Diet” to create a “Happy Hour At Home”. Today, in addition to selling more than one million cases of wine annually, Don & Sons sells the wildly popular Flybird 100% Blue Weber Agave Margarita from Jalisco, Mexico.
Whether it’s a good meal or a celebration of achievement, we are devoted to creating meaningful products that enhance life’s special moments and celebrations with family and friends.
The company was recently named one of the Best Places to Work by the North Bay Business Journal for the twelfth consecutive year. We embrace a set of core values that draw upon the family’s history of innovation and expressive winemaking, such as five-star customer service, a can-do attitude, and urgency and honesty.
1895
Samuele Sebastiani emigrated from Italy to America. With a cart and four horses, he worked hauling paving stones from Melani and Schocken Hill Quarries in Sonoma.
“My great-grandfather stands as a role model to me, he was industrious and entrepreneurial.”
1904
Samuele purchased winemaking equipment and made his first 500 gallon batch of wine, selling it in bulk out of his cart. He soon married Elvira Eraldi, the saloonkeeper’s daughter.
1909
Samuele acquired the site of the current Sebastiani winery, originally built by the Franciscan monks, and added another building alongside it.
1930s
Samuele and his youngest son, August, spearhead the winery management business. August quickly gains a reputation as one of America’s most skilled and innovative winemakers.
1944
Shortly after Samuele’s death, August and his wife, Sylvia, purchased the family’s winery from his father’s estate. August expanded the winery and began to sell name-branded wine to the general public—the first vintner to market premium varietal wines in popularly priced magnums.
“My grandfather quickly gained a reputation as being one of America’s most skilled and innovative winemakers.”
1970
Sylvia Sebastiani publishes the Sebastiani family cookbook, “Mangiamo”.
1980
August passes away and ownership of the wine company goes to Sylvia and his three children. Oldest son Sam becomes CEO & President. He embarks on an ambitious shift from lower-cost generic bottled wines to upscale varietals.
1986
Sam leaves the winery to start his own business. August & Sylvia’s youngest son Don, is tapped to run the 100-year-old family company. During his first decade in charge, Don Sebastiani increases the winery’s production volume threefold by focusing on a full range of varietal wines.
“The company’s biggest growth came in the late 1980’s when we built a large-volume, Central Valley-based portfolio.”
2001
2005
Don Sebastiani & Sons is named 2005 Wine Star Award “American Winery of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
In 2001, the Sebastiani Family sells a portfolio of brands and two wineries in Lodi to Canandaigua Wine Company (today known as Constellation Brands). At the time of the sale, the winery is the fourth largest in California. A much smaller Sebastiani Vineyards remains family owned and focuses its efforts on Sonoma County grape growing and winemaking.
At the same time, Don, Donny, and August establish Don Sebastiani & Sons, a wine company with a reputation for quality, focusing on appellation-driven wines. Mary Ann Sebastiani Cuneo assumes leadership of Sebastiani Vineyards.
2008
In 2008, after more than a Century of winemaking in Sonoma, the Sebastiani Family sells Sebastiani Vineyards to entrepreneur Bill Foley.
2009
Don and Nancy’s three children branch out as Donny Sebastiani assumes the role of running Don Sebastiani & Sons. August oversees 3 Badge Beverage and younger sister Mia, launches Mia’s Kitchen
“I look forward to continuing the progress that previous generations in my family have made.”
2016
Don & Sons creates a new experience called “Happy Hour at Home” that marries natural, healthy foods to complement life’s special occasions and celebration with friends. In addition to wine, the portfolio of products is expanded to include a line of award-winning tequilas and a sparkling water brand..
2019
Don Sebastiani & Sons launches Flybird Cocktails, a 100% Blue Weber Agave-based line of margaritas made in Jalisco, Mexico, that soars to success as the #2 most popular wine-based cocktail in 750mL format.
2025 – THE NEXT EPISODE
In 2025, Sonoma Bespoke purchases the portfolio of award-winning wines from Don Sebastiani & Sons, and they are re-launched as Sebastiani Next Episode. Donny Sebastiani is named Chairman of Sonoma Bespoke.