Wine Road Podcast - Episode 258: Italian Wines in Sonoma County with Mark Orsi | Festa Italia di Healdsburg

Italian Wines in Sonoma County with Mark Orsi | Festa Italia di Healdsburg

Wine When and Where Podcast

Guest: Mark Orsi, Orsi Family Vineyards

What Italian grape varieties grow in Sonoma County? Why are grapes like Sangiovese, Barbera, Aglianico, Negroamaro and Sagrantino finding a home in Northern California? And where can wine lovers taste Italian varietal wines from dozens of California producers in one place?

In this episode of the Wine When and Where Podcast, we sit down with Mark Orsi of Orsi Family Vineyards in Healdsburg, California, to explore Italian wine in Sonoma County, the region's Italian-American wine heritage and the story behind Festa Italia di Healdsburg, an annual celebration of Italian grape varieties, wine, food and culture.

In This Episode

Mark shares why Sonoma County is particularly well suited to Italian grape varieties and how his own Italian heritage inspired the wines grown at Orsi Family Vineyards.

We talk about:

Why Sonoma County has become an unexpected home for Italian grape varieties The Italian immigrant families who helped shape Healdsburg and Sonoma County wine history The 13 Italian grape varieties grown by Orsi Family Vineyards Familiar Italian wines including Sangiovese and Barbera Lesser-known grapes including Biancolella, Schioppettino, Negroamaro and Aglianico Why Italian wines are so naturally suited to food Which Italian wines might appeal to Cabernet Sauvignon drinkers Why Mark believes Aglianico deserves more attention The story behind Festa Italia di Healdsburg and Mark's goal of introducing more wine lovers to Italian varietal wines grown in California What Is Festa Italia di Healdsburg?

Festa Italia di Healdsburg is an Italian wine festival held at Orsi Family Vineyards in Healdsburg, Sonoma County. Founded by Mark Orsi, the event brings together California wineries producing Italian grape varieties for an afternoon of wine tasting, Italian food, music and wine education.

The third annual Festa Italia di Healdsburg takes place:

Date: Sunday, August 16, 2026