This Upscale Restaurant In A Former Northern California Wine Cellar Offers An Unforgettable Dining Experience

Editor's Note: Since the publication of this article, Frasinetti's Winery & Restaurant has permanently closed.

Boasting a standing as "the longest," or the "oldest," or "the most significant" something or other usually has a deeper meaning than just a lofty title. That is definitely the case with Frasinetti’s Winery & Restaurant, named after an Italian immigrant, James Frasinetti, who moved to America to offer quality wines crafted in the "Old World" style.

Located in Sacramento about 20 minutes from downtown, the original Frasinetti’s Winery was founded in 1897.

In the beginning, horse-drawn wagons were used to deliver wine to the Sacramento region. But when James Frasinetti arrived the landscape changed from an import industry to a local, generational business featuring some 400-acres of wine grapes at its peak.

Operated by generations of the Frasinetti family, the winery now holds the distinction as the Sacramento Valley’s oldest family-owned and operated wine producer.

You can almost feel the rich history and commitment to adhering to the original Old World production practices while on the premises.

Today the enterprise is comprised of a winery and tasting room and restaurant.

Here guests can taste and purchase over a dozen unique, tasty, and aromatic wine varietals, in addition to taking home some great wine related accoutrement or as gifts for friends and family.

The original East Cellar has been converted into a fabulous, intimate, dining space. In addition to dining here, guests can also book private rooms for parties of up to 200 people.

The vibe here still captures the essence of what it was like in the 1940's when the winery was turning out stellar wines year after year. The repurposing of some of the former enormous wine vats, plus the addition of seating made from old-growth redwood trees add to the ambiance.

Menu items run the gamut from sautéed baby clams in butter, wine, and garlic, to delicious pizzas with homemade crusts, and classic pasta dishes like spaghetti and meatballs.

More inventive dishes incorporating salmon and shrimp, and the Gnocchi Gorgonzola are oh so delicious!

Sitting out on the patio is a wonderful option on a warm Northern California day.

The attention to detail and high-quality ingredients used in the wines as well as the upscale menu speak volumes about the family’s commitment to excellence.

If you’re looking for a classic establishment steeped in history and value with outstanding, upscale gastronomic fare to boot, then Frasinetti’s Winery & Restaurant is your kinda place.

Have you been to Frasinetti’s Winery & Restaurant? If so, we’d love to hear about your experience there.

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