Don Sebastiani
Encyclopedia
Don Sebastiani is an American
vintner
and politician
from the state of California
.
Sebastiani grew up in Sonoma, California
. Born to parents August and Sylvia Sebastiani, he was the youngest of three children, with older siblings Sam and Mary Ann. He attended St. Francis Solano School in Sonoma, Bellarmine Prep in San Jose
, and the University of San Francisco
(USF). In 1975, he married fellow USF student Nancy Cecchetti, of San Francisco, with whom he had three children, Donny, August, and Mia.
Sebastiani served in the California State Assembly
as a Republican
from the 8th district
from 1980 until 1986. In 1986, he ran in the primary for California State Controller
but lost. Soon thereafter, he returned to Sonoma to run his family's wine business, Sebastiani Vineyards, where he took production from little more than 200,000 cases to just shy of 8 million in his 15 years at the helm. Also, in 1986, along with brother-in-law Roy Cecchetti, Sebastiani began a negociant
-style winery, Cecchetti Sebastiani Cellar (CSC). CSC developed the label Pepperwood Grove and Don & Roy grew their business to nearly 400,000 cases in 1999.
In the Spring of 2001, he left the old company and, along with his sons Donny and August, started Don Sebastiani & Sons, developing well-known labels such as Smoking Loon and Plungerhead.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
vintner
Vintner
A vintner is a wine merchant. You pronounce it like this In some modern use, in particular in American English, the term is alsoused as a synonym for winemaker....
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from the state of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Sebastiani grew up in Sonoma, California
Sonoma, California
Sonoma is a historically significant city in Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA, surrounding its historic town plaza, a remnant of the town's Mexican colonial past. It was the capital of the short-lived California Republic...
. Born to parents August and Sylvia Sebastiani, he was the youngest of three children, with older siblings Sam and Mary Ann. He attended St. Francis Solano School in Sonoma, Bellarmine Prep in San Jose
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, and the University of San Francisco
University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco , is a private, Jesuit/Catholic university located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1855, USF was established as the first university in San Francisco. It is the second oldest institution for higher learning in California and the tenth-oldest university of...
(USF). In 1975, he married fellow USF student Nancy Cecchetti, of San Francisco, with whom he had three children, Donny, August, and Mia.
Sebastiani served in the California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
as a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
from the 8th district
California's 8th State Assembly district
California's 8th State Assembly District is one of 80 districts in the California State Assembly. It is currently represented by Democrat Mariko Yamada of Davis.-District profile:...
from 1980 until 1986. In 1986, he ran in the primary for California State Controller
California State Controller
The State Controller is the Chief Financial Officer of the State of California in the United States. The post has broader responsibilities and authority than the California State Treasurer...
but lost. Soon thereafter, he returned to Sonoma to run his family's wine business, Sebastiani Vineyards, where he took production from little more than 200,000 cases to just shy of 8 million in his 15 years at the helm. Also, in 1986, along with brother-in-law Roy Cecchetti, Sebastiani began a negociant
Négociant
A négociant is the French term for a wine merchant who assembles the produce of smaller growers and winemakers and sells the result under its own name....
-style winery, Cecchetti Sebastiani Cellar (CSC). CSC developed the label Pepperwood Grove and Don & Roy grew their business to nearly 400,000 cases in 1999.
In the Spring of 2001, he left the old company and, along with his sons Donny and August, started Don Sebastiani & Sons, developing well-known labels such as Smoking Loon and Plungerhead.