Wine Road Podcast - Episode 258: Italian Wines in Sonoma County with Mark Orsi | Festa Italia di Healdsburg

Italian Wines in Sonoma County with Mark Orsi | Festa Italia di Healdsburg

Wine When and Where Podcast
Guest: Mark Orsi, Orsi Family Vineyards

What Italian grape varieties grow in Sonoma County? Why are grapes like Sangiovese, Barbera, Aglianico, Negroamaro and Sagrantino finding a home in Northern California? And where can wine lovers taste Italian varietal wines from dozens of California producers in one place?

In this episode of the Wine When and Where Podcast, we sit down with Mark Orsi of Orsi Family Vineyards in Healdsburg, California, to explore Italian wine in Sonoma County, the region's Italian-American wine heritage and the story behind Festa Italia di Healdsburg, an annual celebration of Italian grape varieties, wine, food and culture.

In This Episode

Mark shares why Sonoma County is particularly well suited to Italian grape varieties and how his own Italian heritage inspired the wines grown at Orsi Family Vineyards.

We talk about:

• Why Sonoma County has become an unexpected home for Italian grape varieties
• The Italian immigrant families who helped shape Healdsburg and Sonoma County wine history
• The 13 Italian grape varieties grown by Orsi Family Vineyards
• Familiar Italian wines including Sangiovese and Barbera
• Lesser-known grapes including Biancolella, Schioppettino, Negroamaro and Aglianico
• Why Italian wines are so naturally suited to food
• Which Italian wines might appeal to Cabernet Sauvignon drinkers
• Why Mark believes Aglianico deserves more attention
• The story behind Festa Italia di Healdsburg and Mark's goal of introducing more wine lovers to Italian varietal wines grown in California

What Is Festa Italia di Healdsburg?

Festa Italia di Healdsburg is an Italian wine festival held at Orsi Family Vineyards in Healdsburg, Sonoma County. Founded by Mark Orsi, the event brings together California wineries producing Italian grape varieties for an afternoon of wine tasting, Italian food, music and wine education.

The third annual Festa Italia di Healdsburg takes place:

Date: Sunday, August 16, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM–3:30 PM
VIP Access: Begins at 10:00 AM
Location: Orsi Family Vineyards in Healdsburg, California, approximately half a mile from downtown Healdsburg
Tickets: $75-$85

Guests can taste Italian varietal wines from approximately 25–30 wineries, enjoy live music, pizza from Shelley Lindgren of A16 San Francisco, Gio Gelato and additional Italian food vendors.

The event also includes a wine panel hosted by wine expert Chris Sawyer, with Mick Unti and Shelley Lindgren, focusing on Italian white wines.

Participating wineries include Orsi Family Vineyards, Kokomo, Ramazzotti, Colagrassi, Seghesio, Unti Vineyards, Jupiter Wine Co, Benessere, Saini, Graziano, Buonguido, Solo Nostro, Muscardini Cellars, Idlewild, Martha Stoumen, Massican, Hawley Winery, Tansy and other California producers working with Italian grape varieties.

Festa Italia tickets and information: festaitaliahbg.com
Orsi Family Vineyards: orsifamilyvineyards.com

Italian Wine Rapid Fire with Mark Orsi

Pineapple on pizza? Hard pass.

Favorite pasta pairing? Cacio e pepe with...anything.

Most underrated Italian grape? Aglianico.

What Italian wine could convert a Cabernet drinker? Sagrantino.

Most overrated wine trend? Orange wines — the hype, not necessarily the wine itself.

Dream celebrity spokesperson for Italian wine? George Clooney. Consider this his official invitation.

Mark Orsi's Cacio e Pepe Recipe

Looking for a simple pasta to pair with Italian wine? Mark shares his recipe for cacio e pepe, the classic Roman pasta made with Parmigiano-Reggiano and black pepper.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns

4 1/2 cups finely grated Pecorino Romano, plus more for serving

1 1/2 cups finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

1 pound dried tonnarelli

Directions
1) Bring a large pot of water to a boil. (Do not add salt)

2) Meanwhile, in a very large nonstick skillet or pot set over high heat, toast the peppercorns just until fragrant. Let cool, then grind or crush very coarsely. Reserve 1 teaspoon for serving.

3) In the same skillet or pot, combine the cheeses and remaining pepper. Add 1 ½ cups warm water and stir to make a thick pecorino cream.

4) Add the pasta to the boiling water and stir. Keep the heat very high until the water returns to a boil, then stir again and adjust the heat as needed to keep the water bubbling. Set a timer for 8 minutes.

5) Set the pecorino cream over very low heat.

6) When the timer goes off, scoop out about ½ cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside. Taste the pasta and continue cooking until the pasta is done to your liking.

7) Drain pasta very well (this is important, as adding too much hot water can cause the cheese to clump) and add to the pecorino cream. Use tongs or two forks to stir, turn and toss the pasta in the sauce over low heat until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes sticky. Don't add any water yet, just keep tossing. To test, squeeze a drop of sauce between your thumb and finger. When the sauce is thick and forms strings like glue, it is ready.

8) If it starts to dry out, add cooking water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and toss thoroughly before adding more. Twist the pasta into a nest, if desired.

9) Dust with additional pecorino and the reserved pepper.

10) Serve immediately with a glass of Italian wine, preferably Orsi

Hugo Spritz Recipe

For another taste of Italy at home, make a refreshing Hugo Spritz with Prosecco, elderflower liqueur and fresh mint.

Ingredients

• 4–5 fresh mint leaves
• ½–1 ounce elderflower liqueur, such as St-Germain
• 4 ounces chilled Prosecco
• 1 ounce club soda or sparkling water
• Ice
• Lime wheel or lemon slice for garnish

Instructions

1. Place the mint leaves in a large wine glass.
2. Gently press the mint with a muddler or spoon to release its aroma.
3. Fill the glass with ice.
4. Add elderflower liqueur, followed by Prosecco and club soda.
5. Stir gently.
6. Garnish with lime or lemon and serve.

About Orsi Family Vineyards

Orsi Family Vineyards is a Healdsburg winery specializing in Italian grape varieties grown in Sonoma County. Its estate vineyards feature 13 Italian varieties, offering visitors an opportunity to explore both familiar and lesser-known Italian wines without leaving California wine country.

Learn more at orsifamilyvineyards.com.

Listen to Wine When and Where

Wine When and Where is the podcast of Wine Road Northern Sonoma County, exploring the wineries, winemakers, food, people and experiences of Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, California.

Follow along for more conversations about Sonoma County wineries, wine tasting, food, events and things to do in Northern Sonoma County.