Tudal Winery

About Winery and Wines

The story begins with George "Bacci" Cerruti, the grandfather to the current proprietor. Emigrating from Italy in 1912, he found his new home in Bay Farm Island, now known as Alameda. He began a produce company selling largely to the developing city of Oakland.  ​​While serving in the Navy during World War II, a young man by the name of Arnold Tudal met George Cerruti's only daugter, Alma. Arnold fell for the "farmer's daughter," and when the war was over, they married, allowing Arnold entry into the family's vegetable business. Arnold always liked to say that he was a "male war bride." ​ ​Tudal Winery was founded in 1974 when Arnold and Alma Tudal retired to northern Napa Valley from Alameda. After 27 years as a vegetable farmer, Arnold purchased ten acres within the shadow of the Mayacamas Mountains with the Napa River running alongside the property. On the advice of Louis P. Martini, Arnold planted Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and by 1977, he was producing his own "home-made" wines from those vines. The first commercial release of his Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was seen in 1979 as Arnold's winery and homestead neared completion. By the time of his passing in July of 2006, Arnold had built his reputation in the valley not only as a winemaker but as an enthralling storyteller. He was one of the Napa Valley's congenial "old-timers," known as one of the few vintners that baseball great Joe DiMaggio would make a pilgrimage to visit.  ​Arnold's children John, Marilyn, and Janet now own the winery and endeavor to carry on what Arnold began. Arnold's son, John Tudal and his nephew Matt now carry on the family tradition of growing and winemaking with the help of expert winemakers Ron Vulsteke, and Ruddy Zuidema. ​ ​In this way, the Tudal Family draws upon Four Generations of growing and winemaking experience to create a portfolio of limited-production, fine wines. Now into our 5th decade operating the iconic Tudal Winery in St