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The portal to Sonoma Valley has a new landmark with the July 3 opening of Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Winery, in partnership with the  Olive Press.

The separately owned but combined businesses occupy an imposing, 18,000-square-foot Italian stone villa on 190 acres along Highway 121, directly across the road from Cline Cellars. Sonoma residents Fred and Nancy Cline own both wineries, which produce bottlings from separate vineyards, although a Jacuzzi spokesperson said the two labels may share some vineyard sources in the future. Fred Cline is the maternal grandson of Valeriano Jacuzzi, one of the five Italian-American brothers who invented a variety of injector pumps that ultimately led to creation of the famed Jacuzzi spa. With an inheritance from his grandfather, Cline started Cline Cellars in 1982 near the family home in Oakley. He moved his family, which now includes seven children, to Sonoma in 1991. The new winery is modeled on the Jacuzzi family home in the northern Italian city of Casarsa and loosely resembles a medieval monastery, organized around a central courtyard.

Cline said he founded the Jacuzzi brand to honor his grandfather and to "continue the family legacy of producing upscale, high-quality products. This winery is the next step in continuing that tribute." One wing of the winery houses the Olive Press, which lays claim to being "the most highly awarded producer of California extra virgin olive oil." The business was located in Glen Ellen but joined Jacuzzi to share space in the new winery.  Managing partner Deborah Rogers oversees the custom pressing operation, consults with growers on growing and harvesting their crops, and is responsible for pressing and blending the company's oils.

Rogers is a member of the California Olive Oil Council and is a certified master taster for the University of California-Davis Research Taste Panel. She is partnered with Glen Ellen philanthropist Ed Stolman, perhaps best known for helping launch the Dove ice cream bar.

Like Cline Cellars, Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Winery employs "Green String" biodynamic farming practices, which rely on natural products for composting and employ no chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Weed control is provided in part by sheep. The winery's varietals include barbera, pinot noir, sangiovese, merlot, primotivo, giuseppina and sorrelle.

The winery tasting room, at 24724 Arnold Drive, is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The Olive Press offers a complimentary tasting bar, gourmet gift shop and an on-site pressing facility. It, too, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and private tours are available by appointment.

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