“That saying ‘only in America’ – I am living proof that the generosity of this country is there if you really work hard for it and do things right.”
25 years ago, an amateur winemaker looked out over a humble parcel of undeveloped land and pondered his next stage in life. After building a successful auto repair business, Marcelo Doffo realized that something was missing. He yearned to return to his roots and once again cultivate the earth. While he grew up on the family soybean and corn farm in rural Argentina, this venture would be about his new passion: winemaking.
Marcelo surveying his land in the early days
Marcelo purchased that land, once used as a cattle ranch, and began transforming it into a vineyard. Four years after planting those first vineyard blocks, the Doffo family tasted the first wine produced from their own land. “It started as a hobby,” Marcelo explains. “I bought some land so I could play in the dirt. I bought a tractor so I could play with the tractor. We never intended to become a big winery, we just wanted to make wine for ourselves.”
Marcelo punching down grapes in the early days
That all changed when outsiders began to recognize the quality of the wine Marcelo was producing. “Before we were even a winery, people would see the vineyards and the house and would drive up asking to taste our wine. When people wanted to buy our wine – that’s when I knew we could make a viable product.”
Doffo Winery then and now
Fast forward more than two decades and Doffo Winery has grown into one of the most respected wineries in the booming Temecula Valley AVA, in no small part due to the hard work, dedication and vision of Marcelo and his children Samantha, Brigitte and Damian.
Samantha Doffo reflects on the milestone: “It’s an incredible feeling to get to 25 years, even though it feels like in some ways we have only just begun. I look back and remember those early days when I could look up and see my siblings and my Dad all working the tasting room, and that still happens today. What a cool ride we are currently on!”
“To be honest, it’s extraordinary to see the growth, to see all the people we are employing, and to see my children seriously involved in the family business,” Marcelo continues. “It’s very overwhelming and satisfying to experience the response from everybody who loves our wine. And to watch the Temecula Valley as a whole rise up and receive the attention it deserves; it’s very special to be part of that growth.”
“Reaching this 25 year milestone for our family is truly humbling,” explains Winemaker and CEO Damian Doffo. “I think back to those long summer days as a young teenager, working what seemed like endless hours. It makes me nostalgic for the good ol’ days. I’ve enjoyed the ride to this point and look forward to the next 25 years of continuing to build upon my father’s legacy in Temecula Valley.”
In recent years, Marcelo has stepped back from daily operations and his children have taken over. “Dad’s legacy is important to all of us, and we still want to make him proud,” Samantha explains. “I like to think that folks who have been customers for years still see a part of my Dad in each of us, and we want that legacy to continue on to our children.”
Indeed, the third generation of Doffos, who have been growing up right alongside the winery itself, are beginning to get involved. Marcelo reflects, “It’s a totally special feeling to see both generations come back to the winery. As amazing as it has been to watch my kids take over and run the winery, it is even more special to see my grandchildren step up. They are the torch carriers, and I am very proud.”
“At the end of the day, none of us would be here without this crazy idea he had,” Samantha says. “All we hope for is to continue doing what we love and be able to share it as siblings and with our kids, so that everyone can enjoy the fruits of Dad’s labor.”
As the mission statement on the back of our bottles says: “Family unity is our priority, nurturing the soils of our vineyards is our legacy, and handcrafting exceptional wines is our passion.” We raise a glass to everyone who made this first 25 years possible, and look forward to the next 25! Salute!
