Ferraro Cellars Winery

Dick and Mary Ferraro have been making wines for family and friends since 1972.  Along the way, sons Tony and Dominic began to help. Dick was born and raised in Walla Walla, Washington, and grew up among a large family of Italian Immigrants - many who made their own wines. It was an annual Fall event for his father Antonio and grandfather Domenico Loiacono both Italian immigrants.  During the 1940’s and 50’s, Grandfather Domenico Loiacono organized consolidated grape orders for many of the Italian immigrants in Walla Walla, then traveled to Rosemont, California to negotiate the order for quality and price. The grapes of choice were mostly Zinfandel for a red wine and Moscato for white wine. The grapes were transported by rail to Walla Walla.  Dick remembers unloading the boxcars and then crushing the grapes.  The wine was stored for aging in a dirt cellar, which also contained other home made products such as fresh sausage, dry cured soppressata, prosciutto, capocollo, cured olives and Grandma’s wonderful homemade bread and pastries. The cellar represented all the wonderful Italian food products to be enjoyed for the coming year.

These experiences kindled his interest in winemaking. He did this through winemaking classes, much reading, hands on research and experimentation.