It’s Friday evening at Lucca Winery, and that means one thing—pizza night. This monthly gathering is a favorite among club members of the Ripon-based winery, nestled at 16265 E. River Road.

Owner Mark Lucchesi shared that Lucca wines were originally crafted for family enjoyment only. The Lucchesi family farm, rich with history, once produced a variety of fruits and vegetables on the same land where the winery now thrives.

The roots of this legacy stretch back to Dionisio Lucchesi, who immigrated from Italy generations ago. He settled in Oakley, a small farming town in the Delta region of California’s Central Valley, eventually purchasing land just outside Ripon along O’Hara Avenue.

Dionisio’s love for farming was passed down to his son, Guido, who nurtured the land by cultivating trees, vines, and working the sandy soil. Though Guido had no formal training in winemaking, he began producing wine from his zinfandel grapes—sharing his homemade vino with family and friends.

The winery began to take shape in 1990 when Alan Lucchesi took over stewardship of the farm, expanding operations to over 400 acres of vines. He shared his Oakley-harvested grapes with his brother Mark, who was then farming almonds and peaches. Mark began experimenting with small batches of wine, and as his passion grew, so did his production.

That journey led to the founding of Lucca Winery in 2011—a tribute to the family’s dedication to craft and community.

The tasting room, located on the family farm, is open Friday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Club members—who can sign up on-site—receive discounts on multi-bottle purchases and invitations to exclusive events, including twice-yearly release parties.

During pizza night, guests enjoy homemade pies cooked in an 800-degree outdoor fire oven, perfectly paired with Lucca’s diverse wine offerings.

The current lineup includes reds like the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020 Petite Sirah, 2020 Enzo, 2020 Syrah, 2020 Mourvèdre, 2020 Oreste, 2020 Dionisio, 2020 Cab Franc, and 2020 Guido. “Some of the wines are named after family members,” noted Mark Gainor in the tasting room.

White wine selections feature the 2022 Viognier, 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, 2021 Maria Rosa, and 2021 Chardonnay.

Lucca Winery also participates in community events, such as the recent Wine & Words gathering hosted by the Manteca Historical Society.

For more information, visit www.luccawinery.com.