History::John Tyler Wines

Over 50 years ago Charles Bacigalupi, John’s father, and Paul Heck, Tyler’s grandfather, met and formed a friendship. Moving to Asti in 1951, Paul was hired to manage the Asti Winery. A dentist practicing in Healdsburg, Charles became the dentist for Paul and his family. Thus began a long family friendship.

In the Heck family it all began with great grandpa, Adolf Ludwig Heck Senior, born in Alsace-Lorraine, a territory bordering on France and Germany. Born in 1890, Adolf immigrated to America in the early 1900s. Working throughout his life in the wine industry, Adolph Heck Sr. culminated his career at the American Wine Company in St. Louis, Missouri. His extensive traveling led him to California and industry connections with the California Wine Institute.

Purchasing Korbel Champagne Cellars in Guerneville in 1953, Paul and his brother Adolf L. Heck Jr. began the renovation and expansion of the facility. Paul continued his interest in the champagne and brandy enterprises as well as still wines. His fondness for the pinot varietal was well known, as exemplified by the name of his favorite horse, Pinot.

In 1956, Charles and Helen Bacigalupi purchased 121 acres on Westside Road, a few miles south of town. In a simple beginning, Charles began to care for the 16 acres of existing vineyards, which consisted of zinfandel, mission, golden chaslis, and muscat. Envisioning the demand for premium wine grapes, Paul encouraged Charles to plant chardonnay and pinot noir. In 1964, Charles began his plantings with six acres of each varietal. The vineyards now consist of 125 acres of premium grapes, which have been planted and managed for the past 30 years by John and his family.

Patrick, Paul Heck’s second child and Tyler’s father was raised among the vineyards of Korbel Champagne Cellars. Patrick was immersed in the wine growing and winemaking operations, at an early age. In Patrick's 34 year career he traveled extensively in the American wine growing regions of California, the Pacific Northwest, Texas, New Mexico, Mexico and Baja California, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. Discovering new and innovative techniques, Patrick was always on the forefront of the industry. A strong, loving father, Patrick encouraged his son Tyler toward a career in the wine industry. Through the years, Patrick’s passion for winemaking and his broad knowledge of winemaking styles and grape cultivation were passed on to his son, Tyler.

The plan for a winemaking venture began shortly after Tyler’s graduation from Cal Poly. After earning his degree in Ag Business with a minor in enology and the experience of seven winemaking seasons, Tyler was ready for his own enological endeavor. The idea to begin a winemaking venture began to unfold in 2001. John desired to culminate his grape growing tasks and complete the process by making his own premium wine. Suggesting this joint venture to Tyler, John supplied a half ton of pinot noir in the fall of 2001. Based on the quality of the initial wine, John and Tyler felt confidant about future vintages. The very best in winemaking skills and materials were used and the resulting vintage was bottled in 2003. Both John and Tyler were very pleased with the results. In 2002 the venture was commercialized by crushing 14 tons of Pinot Noir for John Tyler Wines.

Tyler acknowledges the same challenges and potential of this difficult but rewarding varietal that his grandfather recognized over 50 years ago. John Tyler Wines have been very favorably reviewed by several well known local winemakers.