Greetings from TARTINO Vineyards!
The name “TARTINO” comes from a combination of our two vineyard dogs: “TARTufo” (a Spinone Italiano) and “nocINO” (our rescue dog).
We craft wine from the Cabernet Sauvignon vines that we grow in our small hillside vineyard, tucked away in the secluded hills of Ramona, California, USA. Our vineyard is within the Ramona Valley AVA, and sits at around 1500ft (460m) elevation, with a fairly constant breeze. The wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and made entirely from the vines grown on our property. Our production is small at around 300 bottles per year, and the wine was aged for 24 months in a French oak barrel. As we prefer to taste the fruit rather than the oak, we selected a once used barrel for this vintage.
Our wine label was designed by Japanese calligraphy artist Mr. Kawahara. In 2021, we asked him to create something impactful and simple — a design that would stand out strongly among countless wine labels, yet still carry a sense of calmness and healing. Despite the abstract nature of our request, he captured our vision perfectly and brought this logo to life.
We would also like to share the meaning behind the seal “Seizan” (正山), which appears on our wine label.
The seal “Seizan” symbolizes the spirit of walking the righteous path with the steadfastness of a mountain — a reflection of our philosophy in winemaking.
Meaning: The kanji character 正 (Sei) means “righteous” or “true,” while 山 (Zan/San) means “mountain.” Together, they convey the idea of a “True Mountain” — a symbol of strength, stability, and an unwavering presence.
Philosophy: This philosophy emphasizes long-term dedication and a commitment to quality, rather than pursuing short-term results.
Warm regards,
Simon & Izumi Graham
TARTINO Vineyards
