Premium Ports since 1946
Resting unobtrusively on a back road in Madera County is the home of Ficklin Tinta Port. As it was from the beginning, Ficklin's Port is widely acclaimed as one of America's finest Port wines created in the Portuguese tradition.
Walter C. Ficklin and his wife Mame, Peter's grandparents, purchased the present acreage in 1918, but not until after World War II did Port production begin.
During the 1940's, the University of California at Davis was testing the grape varieties used in the production of Portugal's premium red dessert wines under California's growing condition. The San Joaquin Valley showed promise for the propagation of these Portuguese varietals, and Walter Ficklin, Sr. became interested in growing wine grapes and producing a premium Port.
In 1946, the family made decisions which would greatly affect the winery's future sucess: They would produce only Port in the tradition of Portugal's Duoro Valley, using Portuguese grape varieties. They also decided to keep the operation small so each step could receive the personal attention of the family. Ficklin Vineyards was incorporated on September 30, 1946.
While David was studying Fermentation Science at U.C. Davis, his brother planted about 15 acres of Souzao, Tinta Cao, Tinta Madeira, Alverelhao and Touriga.
David's first responsiblity as vintner was to build the winery. Since temperature control was a matter of architecture, large adobe bricks were handmade and dried in the scorching sun. These bricks formed thick walls helping to shut out the summer heat. Casks, puncheons, and barrels were accumulated. A used crusher was purchased, as was bottling equipment. Meanwhile, the vines were maturing, getting ready for their first crop. In 1948, Ficklin Vineyards began making their highly acclaimed and awarded Port.
In 1978, the third generation joined the family business--Peter Ficklin graduated with a BS desgree in Enology from UC Davis and became Assistant Winemaker to his father, David. In 1983, David retired, and Peter was named Winemaker, and later in 1991 he became the President of the corporation.
Today, Ficklin Vineyards receives Portuguese varietal grapes from small vineyards across California. While continuing to maintain the flagship Old Vine Tinta Port Solera, in exceptional years Ficklin bottles a Vintage-dated Port for the PortFolio Society Wine Club. Wines are set aside for the Aged 10 Year Tawny Port as well as for 15, 20, 25, and 30 Year-Old Barrel Aged Tawny Ports.
Distribued in numerous states outside of California, Ficklin Vineyards continues to product small batch premium Ports for their wine clubs: The PortFolio Society, Liga da Caravel, and Club Cortica. In addition, small-lot Ports are available for purchase through the Tasting Room and this website.
Still today, each step of the Port process and decision-making receives Peter's personal attention.
Walter C. Ficklin and his wife Mame, Peter's grandparents, purchased the present acreage in 1918, but not until after World War II did Port production begin.
During the 1940's, the University of California at Davis was testing the grape varieties used in the production of Portugal's premium red dessert wines under California's growing condition. The San Joaquin Valley showed promise for the propagation of these Portuguese varietals, and Walter Ficklin, Sr. became interested in growing wine grapes and producing a premium Port.
In 1946, the family made decisions which would greatly affect the winery's future sucess: They would produce only Port in the tradition of Portugal's Duoro Valley, using Portuguese grape varieties. They also decided to keep the operation small so each step could receive the personal attention of the family. Ficklin Vineyards was incorporated on September 30, 1946.
While David was studying Fermentation Science at U.C. Davis, his brother planted about 15 acres of Souzao, Tinta Cao, Tinta Madeira, Alverelhao and Touriga.
David's first responsiblity as vintner was to build the winery. Since temperature control was a matter of architecture, large adobe bricks were handmade and dried in the scorching sun. These bricks formed thick walls helping to shut out the summer heat. Casks, puncheons, and barrels were accumulated. A used crusher was purchased, as was bottling equipment. Meanwhile, the vines were maturing, getting ready for their first crop. In 1948, Ficklin Vineyards began making their highly acclaimed and awarded Port.
In 1978, the third generation joined the family business--Peter Ficklin graduated with a BS desgree in Enology from UC Davis and became Assistant Winemaker to his father, David. In 1983, David retired, and Peter was named Winemaker, and later in 1991 he became the President of the corporation.
Today, Ficklin Vineyards receives Portuguese varietal grapes from small vineyards across California. While continuing to maintain the flagship Old Vine Tinta Port Solera, in exceptional years Ficklin bottles a Vintage-dated Port for the PortFolio Society Wine Club. Wines are set aside for the Aged 10 Year Tawny Port as well as for 15, 20, 25, and 30 Year-Old Barrel Aged Tawny Ports.
Distribued in numerous states outside of California, Ficklin Vineyards continues to product small batch premium Ports for their wine clubs: The PortFolio Society, Liga da Caravel, and Club Cortica. In addition, small-lot Ports are available for purchase through the Tasting Room and this website.
Still today, each step of the Port process and decision-making receives Peter's personal attention.