In 1992 Fred Favero, owner and founder of Favero Vineyards, decided to make his dream a reality and planted his first three acres of grapes in Sonoma Valley. After producing wine for several years from fruit raised on properties adjacent to Favero Vineyards, Fred knew his next project would be planting the exact root-stock and variety needed to perfect his proprietary blend, "Monte di Sassi" and to make a stunning sangiovese.

Raised in a classic extended famiglia italiana, Fred enjoyed experiences unknown to most youngsters who grew up in San Francisco in the 50's and 60's. Ultimately, this solid self-reliance and confidence in doing things for himself, led him from managing his own businesses in the city, to creating and managing vineyards and a winery on the rocky hillsides just outside the picturesque town of Sonoma, in northern California.

In 1996 Fred wanted to house his premium wines in a facility on site. The natural solution, a cave burrowed into the side of Monte di Sassi. When local tunneling contractors suggested he would have to wait two years, he decided to, "do it himself." Ginger realized Fred was about to dig his way through their hillside, by learning how to run a 35 ton, 40 foot long, tunneling machine! And so he did.

From the heavy metal doors to the copper grape-leaf light sconces, Fred designed and created his own underground cave for the production and storage of Favero Vineyard wines.