HEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA — [DATE] — Brookside Vineyard Company, one of California’s oldest family wine legacies, announced today the acquisition of Sbragia Family Vineyards. The Sbragia brand, inventory, and wine club will now merge with Brookside Winery bringing together two respected wine families whose combined contributions have helped shape the history and reputation of California wine.
Founded in 1832 by Theophile Vaché, Brookside traces its roots to the earliest generations of California winegrowing. The Vaché family had some of the first commercial vineyards and steadily grew their winemaking operations in the Southland of California.
During construction, a young French brick mason named Marius Biane arrived in California in 1892 to help build their facility. After two years, Marius fell in love with Theophile’s great niece Marcelene Vaché and together they raised four children, including their eldest son, Francois “Pomp” Biane, who would become the grandfather of Tim Bacino.
Under the leadership of the Biane family, Brookside expanded into Rancho Cucamonga where they bought Guasti Winery, turning it into their flagship location, Brookside Winery. Their success in wine production and unique retail store operations paralleled the remarkable growth of California’s wine industry throughout much of the twentieth century. Doing business with many of the pioneering wine families that helped establish California’s reputation as a world-class wine region, the Bianes’ contributed to the expansion and evolution of the state’s wine business during a transformative era.
In 1980, the company received an unsolicited offer from a conglomerate to purchase their entire operation and land holdings. Their financial partner, along with some family members, decided to sell. The land later became the Ontario International Airport, and the abandoned flagship winery can still be seen standing there today.
Brookside Winery grew into the largest wine producer in California and the sixth-largest winery in the United States. At its peak, the company operated 36 retail tasting rooms and produced more than 150 different wines, establishing Brookside Winery as one of the most influential family-owned wine enterprises in American history.
Today, that legacy is carried forward by sixth-generation family member Tim Bacino, son to Rosanne Vache’ Biane Bacino. He is the founder of GEN 7 Wines, named in honor of his daughter Gabriella and the rest of the seventh generation.
The acquisition took shape from a reconnection between Bacino and legendary winemaker Ed Sbragia in 2025.
“When I reconnected with Ed in late 2025, I recognized the opportunity,” said Bacino. “Few individuals have had a greater impact on California wine than Ed Sbragia. His commitment to excellence, family values, and vineyard stewardship mirrors everything our family has stood for since my great-great-great-great Uncle Theophile founded our family Winery. Combining that legacy with the history of Brookside creates something truly special for future generations.”
The connection between the families extends back decades. Tim Bacino’s cousin, Jon Biane, worked alongside Ed Sbragia at Beringer Vineyards, serving as Western Zone Vice President of Sales and Vice President of Marketing for Luxury Brands. Their professional partnership further strengthened the longstanding relationship between the Sbragia and Brookside families and together they helped elevate Beringer’s reputation as one of the world’s premier wine estates.
Widely regarded as one of America’s most accomplished winemakers, Ed Sbragia spent 32 years as Winemaster at Beringer Vineyards, helping establish the winery among the most respected names in the wine industry. Throughout his distinguished career, Sbragia earned a reputation for producing wines of exceptional quality and consistency, garnering acclaim from critics and collectors around the world.
Among his many achievements, Sbragia remains the only winemaker in history to have earned Wine Spectator’s prestigious Wine of the Year award twice. Once for a white wine and once for a red wine. This unprecedented accomplishment cemented his standing as one of the most influential and versatile winemakers of his generation and helped elevate California wines onto the global stage.
“For me, preserving the future of Sbragia Family Vineyards was always about finding the right family to continue our story,” said Sbragia. “Tim understands the importance of legacy, authenticity, and quality. I believe Brookside Winery is uniquely positioned to honor what we have built while continuing to move the brand forward.”
Since reviving the Brookside Winery through GEN 7 Wines, Bacino has focused on reconnecting the family’s historic roots with a modern vision centered on premium winemaking, hospitality, direct-to-consumer relationships, and long-term stewardship.
“This acquisition represents more than the purchase of a winery,” Bacino added. “It is the joining of two historic wine families whose stories are deeply connected to the evolution of California wine across nearly two centuries. We are honored to become stewards of the Sbragia legacy and to ensure that both family histories continue to thrive for generations to come.”
Brookside Winery intends to preserve the heritage, vineyard relationships, and uncompromising quality standards established by the Sbragia family while investing in the future growth of the brand.
“You’ll see Ed at our events, be the Sbragia Ambassador and whisper some of his magic to our guests,” said Bacino. Together, Brookside Winery and Sbragia Family Vineyards represent nearly two centuries of winemaking tradition, family heritage, and a shared belief that great wines are built over generations.
The renovated Brookside Winery estate and tasting room is scheduled to open in Spring 2027. The transformation is being led in collaboration with Tim Bacino’s wife, Susanne’ Bacino, an award-winning interior designer and founder of Atmospheres Interior Design and their daughter, Gabriella. With more than 40 years of experience designing luxury residences and hospitality environments, Susanne has built a distinguished career creating elegant, timeless interiors that are works of art.
Drawing inspiration from the property’s rich heritage and the natural beauty of Sonoma County, every aspect of the tasting room and hospitality spaces has been thoughtfully designed to honor Brookside Winery’s nearly two-century legacy while incorporating contemporary amenities and inviting guests to gather together in community. The result will be a destination that celebrates nature, craftsmanship, history, and hospitality—providing visitors with an immersive experience that reflects the Bacino family’s vision of preserving California’s winemaking heritage while creating a world-class wine country destination for future generations.
