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16 | OHCC LIVING | JANUARY 2022 | Ferrari-Carano Estate, Healdsburg, California Don and Rhonda Carano opened the Eldorado Hotel and Casino in downtown Reno, Nevada, in 1973. It became a premier location for fine dining, great wine lists and impeccable service. While searching for wines for their wine lists for the Eldorado, they visited some Northern California vineyards. They purchased a 60- acre parcel of land in the Alexander Valley. The vineyards that were on that property aroused their curiosity about winemaking, so they took classes about the science and practical application of viticulture at the University of California, Davis. They began making wines in their barn under the name of Carano Cellars. In the beginning, the wine was given away to friends and family but later it appeared on the wine list at the Eldorado. The Caranos began to purchase additional vineyard land in Dry Creek Valley in 1985. The first wines under the Ferrari-Carano label were released in the mid-1980's. The first was a 1985 Chardonnay followed in 1986 by a Fumé Blanc. Over the years more additional properties were purchased. Today, Ferrari-Carano produces more than 20 white, red and dessert wines from vineyards in Sonoma Valley (Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley and Russian River Valley) as well as Anderson Valley and Mendocino Ridge in Mendocino County. In 2015, all of Ferrari-Carano's 24 vineyards earned California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance Certification by demonstrating that their wineries have implemented sustainable wine growing practices that are environmentally sound, socially equitable and economically viable. Don Carano passed away on October 3, 2017, at the age of 85, surrounded by his family at his home in Reno, Nevada. In June of 2020, Foley Family Wines added Ferrari-Carano to its collection of estate wineries. Foley generally leaves its acquired companies intact, so we can look forward to enjoying Ferrari- Carano wines going forward. The Fumé Blanc is a steal at our local Albertson's. All residents of Ocean Hills Country Club are eligible to join the Wine Tasting Club. The annual dues are $12 per person. Wine Tasting Club