For as long as Ed and Phyllis Pedrizzetti have been married,
they have run the Pedrizzetti winery off of San Pedro Avenue. But
after 56 years in business, the couple is retiring.
For as long as Ed and Phyllis Pedrizzetti have been married, they have run the Pedrizzetti winery off of San Pedro Avenue.
But after 56 years in business, the couple is retiring.
The winery is on the market and will be sold in the near future, though an exact date was not given.
However, before they go, they will be bestowed with one more honor: The Chamber of Commerce’s Showcase business of the year award during the annual recognition night Jan. 22 at the Community Center.
The Pedrizzettis have been committed to Morgan Hill and only donated to local organizations throughout their five plus decades they have been in business.
Phyllis Pedrizzetti said she receives many requests from organizations from around the country, but she insists if it doesn’t benefit Morgan Hill, she won’t entertain the offer.
The winery plays host to barbecues for volunteers involved in the community, parties for local politicians or other conventions, including a convention for 120 Hispanic priests.
Among other things, Pedrizzetti was on the governor’s mental health council, the first woman president in the wine growers association in California and serves on the Orange County wine tasting competition that attracts entries from around the world.
Ed was the president of Kiwanis for four years, a member of the Elks, is certified by the Red Cross for first aid and taught Morgan Hill children how to swim.
Janey Pedrizzetti Muirhead, one of the Pedrizzettis’ daughters, has worked in the family business since the early 1990s. She, according to her mother, has been instrumental in keeping the winery going. Over the years, Muirhead has taken on an ever increasing role including working with the city events that are held at the winery.
Muirhead said her parents have “bent over backwards” to help organizations in Morgan Hill through donations and hosting events at the winery.
In all, there are three children in the family, Daniel, the oldest, Kathleen and Janey, along with three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The winery originally was founded in 1913 by Ed Pedrizzetti’s parents. When he married Phyllis, he took over the 80 acres of grape vines.
When the Pedrizzettis started their business, Pedrizzetti would travel to Oakland and San Francisco every week to deliver ugs of wine.
Eventually, Phyllis said, they reached a fork in the road. Either they quit or expand. They decided to expand.
In 1968, the family opened their first tasting room off Burnett Avenue.
For 13 years, the Pedrizzettis stayed at their location until city growth forced another decision: Stay near the expanding 101 freeway or move to a quieter location. They decided to move to their current location on San Pedro Avenue between Hill and Murphy avenues east of Morgan Hill.
The winery offers 12 different types of wines including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, White Zinfandel, Barbera and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Until 1979, the grapes were grown on site. Muirhead said the winter frosts harmed the crops so family began to contract out the grape growing to other areas.
“The land was more valuable and there were too many frosts,” Muirhead said.
In 1996 The winery was nearly lost when a faulty regulator on a butane stove ignited a fire during a barbecue that quickly spread through out the tasting area.
After the fire the couple thought long and hard if they would rebuild or retire. But Muirhead stepped in and agreed to help.
“We would not have rebuilt after the fire had it not been for Janey,” Pedrizzetti admitted.
Now the wine making duo are working to sell the business and retire. But they still plan to keep a presence in Morgan Hill to keep in touch with family and friends.
While the Pedrizzettis are planning leaving the business, they are honored to be recognized before they go.
“The Pedrizzettis would like to thank the Chamber judging committee that appreciate businesses that have been around for 50 years, that have donated and participated in and involved in the community,” Muirhead said.
Pedrizzetti winery is located on 1645 San Pedro Ave. The winery gift shop and tasting is open from 10am to 5pm Tuesday-Sunday. Tours are available by appointment. Details 779-7389.
