Like most people who visit the Valley for the first time, he was amazed that land so beautiful, so untouched by commercialism, could exist only an hour from San Francisco. Paul and his family were captivated by the quality of life in the Valley, including fabulous wines and world-renowned restaurants, and marveled at the open spaces that seemed to enhance the very essence of nature itself. In 1997, they and six of their friends purchased their winery and vineyard with the goal of producing superior wines to share with other wine lovers - wine that lives up to Napa Valley's standard of excellence.
Paul, who has always enjoyed beginning new businesses, says, "I'm a builder. I was attracted to the wine business because it can be a very hands-on experience, not just with making the wine itself but also in recognizing the people who enjoy it." He adds, "To me, there is no greater satisfaction than knowing that people's love for life can be enhanced by visiting our beautiful valley and enjoying its remarkable wines."
People Behind the Brand
Jerry and Lorrie Vanoli
Jerry Vanoli is realizing a lifelong dream. As a boy he came to the Napa Valley with his grandfather to purchase barrels of wine from some of the Valley's most famous producers. Back home in Palo Alto his father and grandfather would bottle the wine for sale in the family-owned "Wine Cellar" retail shop. Today he is a managing partner of Astrale e Terra.
Jerry and Lorrie Vanoli have worked together as a team for 30 years. Moving to Napa in 1986, they planted a Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard and made wine under the family's "Wine Cellar" label. Now, together, they direct winery operations, production and sales for Astrale e Terra. Their love of quality wine, respect for the winemaker's creativity, and demand for excellence is a driving force behind the brand.
Steve Bagby
Steve Bagby believes it's just as important to be inspired as to inspire. He lives it as president and lead creative of Bagby and Company in Chicago. It's in the work he creates. He feels it when he stands on the hills of Napa Valley, greatly moved by the richness of the land and the magnificence of the sky. And it inspired in him a vision of the wine he has helped bring to life.
Steve has taken pride in spearheading the brand image initiative to put a face on Astrale e Terra and it products. He has personally crafted every aspect of the physical design. Through his creative vision, Astrale e Terra's brand design serves as a stunning metaphor for the awe-inspiring partnership between the land, the sky, and the group of friends who started this venture. The name Astrale e Terra means "the heavens and the earth", the two most fundamentally important affects on the vine. The label mirrors this, with a rich design that separates the land from the sky, yet puts the wine between them, where heaven and earth meet.
In 1999 Arcturus was born. This wine was named after the brightest Red Giant star in the sky. Steve manipulated an actual NASA photograph of Arcturus to create a visual that truly reflects the personality of the grape while integrating elements of the original Astrale e Terra label. The look of Arcturus is a fine complement to the family of products.
Inspiration. Vision. The heavens and the earth. The essential elements of a truly great wine.