From the first harvest, the Lolonis family sold grapes to other winemakers. During Prohibition shipments to the Christian Brothers and other religious winemakers kept the business afloat. Then, in the1940s and 50s, more winemakers - Charles Krug, Geyser Peak, Italian Swiss Colony, Parducci, Sebastiani - sought out Lolonis grapes for their wines. By the mid 50s a pioneering transformation was taking place in the vineyards as the next generation became more involved. Son Nick sought his father's permission to apply the lessons he had learned as one of the first students of enology and viticulture at the University of California, Davis. He persuaded Tryfon to try organic farming methods. Eschewing chemical treatment, to keep pests away beneficial predators (ladybugs) were released in the vineyards. Cover crops were employed to aid in keeping pests from the vines and in returning nutrients to the soil. The decision to deploy flights of ladybugs in the vineyards was pivotal, and 50 years later, it continues to shape the Lolonis legacy.
In 1982, after many years of selling grapes to other wineries, and with an enviable reputation for outstanding grapes, sons -Petros and Ulysses - established Lolonis Winery, putting a Greek family name on an American wine label for the first time. The brothers continued to sell grapes to other wineries such as Steele, Kendall-Jackson, and the Hess Collection, but by the 1990's their dedication to organic grape growing practices and handcrafted wines had established Lolonis Winery as one of the premier producers of old vine wines.
Today, in consultation with Jed Steele, and with the active management of second and third generation family members, Lolonis Winery continues grafting onto traditions begun over 80 years when the first young vines took root in the rocky soil of Redwood Valley.
