CHARTER OAK WINERY

08/28/2026

https://www.thewomenstories.com/exclusive-features/layla-fanucci/

From music educator to acclaimed painter, Layla Fanucci built an artistic career inspired by cities, architecture, color, and creative reinvention.

08/27/2026

08/16/2026

Charter Oak Winery is a small, family-owned winery and art studio in St. Helena, at the heart of Napa Valley. Rather than producing wine on a large commercial scale, the winery focuses on handcrafted, old-world winemaking traditions that have been passed down through generations of the Ragghianti–Fanucci family.

Some of the things that make Charter Oak Winery unique include:

A century of family tradition. The winery traces its roots to Guido Ragghianti, an Italian immigrant from Lucca who began making wine in the early 1900s. Today, his grandson Robert Fanucci continues many of the same methods using Guido’s original equipment.
Traditional, handcrafted wines. Grapes are hand-harvested and hand-sorted. Fermentation relies on indigenous (natural) yeast, and the wine is pressed with a historic redwood basket press that has been in the family for over 100 years. Natural malolactic fermentation is encouraged, reflecting a minimalist approach to winemaking.
Small production. The winery produces roughly 1,000 cases per vintage, allowing close attention to every barrel and bottle.
Wine and art together. The property is also home to Layla Fanucci’s art studio, making it an unusual destination where visitors can experience both fine art and handcrafted Napa Valley wines in one setting.
Visitors often describe Charter Oak as a place that feels more like stepping into Napa Valley’s past than visiting a modern production winery. The emphasis is on authenticity, craftsmanship, and hospitality rather than large crowds or elaborate tasting rooms. According to the winery, its wines are intended to be elegant, balanced, and expressive of traditional Napa Valley winemaking. CHARTEROAKWINE.COM
LAYLAFANUCCI.COM

08/16/2026

Charter Oak Winery is a small, family-owned winery and art studio in St. Helena, at the heart of Napa Valley. Rather than producing wine on a large commercial scale, the winery focuses on handcrafted, old-world winemaking traditions that have been passed down through generations of the Ragghianti–Fanucci family.

Some of the things that make Charter Oak Winery unique include:

A century of family tradition. The winery traces its roots to Guido Ragghianti, an Italian immigrant from Lucca who began making wine in the early 1900s. Today, his grandson Robert Fanucci continues many of the same methods using Guido’s original equipment.
Traditional, handcrafted wines. Grapes are hand-harvested and hand-sorted. Fermentation relies on indigenous (natural) yeast, and the wine is pressed with a historic redwood basket press that has been in the family for over 100 years. Natural malolactic fermentation is encouraged, reflecting a minimalist approach to winemaking.
Small production. The winery produces roughly 1,000 cases per vintage, allowing close attention to every barrel and bottle.
Wine and art together. The property is also home to Layla Fanucci’s art studio, making it an unusual destination where visitors can experience both fine art and handcrafted Napa Valley wines in one setting.
Visitors often describe Charter Oak as a place that feels more like stepping into Napa Valley’s past than visiting a modern production winery. The emphasis is on authenticity, craftsmanship, and hospitality rather than large crowds or elaborate tasting rooms. According to the winery, its wines are intended to be elegant, balanced, and expressive of traditional Napa Valley winemaking. CHARTEROAKWINE.COM
LAYLAFANUCCI.COM

08/15/2026

https://youtu.be/SoAFpc9V8Y8?is=VHzyGR_ejog8iySc

Collection of paintings for museum exhibit.

07/22/2026

Charter Oak Winery is a small, family-owned winery and art studio in St. Helena, at the heart of Napa Valley. Rather than producing wine on a large commercial scale, the winery focuses on handcrafted, old-world winemaking traditions that have been passed down through generations of the Ragghianti–Fanucci family.

Some of the things that make Charter Oak Winery unique include:

A century of family tradition. The winery traces its roots to Guido Ragghianti, an Italian immigrant from Lucca who began making wine in the early 1900s. Today, his grandson Robert Fanucci continues many of the same methods using Guido’s original equipment.
Traditional, handcrafted wines. Grapes are hand-harvested and hand-sorted. Fermentation relies on indigenous (natural) yeast, and the wine is pressed with a historic redwood basket press that has been in the family for over 100 years. Natural malolactic fermentation is encouraged, reflecting a minimalist approach to winemaking.
Small production. The winery produces roughly 1,000 cases per vintage, allowing close attention to every barrel and bottle.
Wine and art together. The property is also home to Layla Fanucci’s art studio, making it an unusual destination where visitors can experience both fine art and handcrafted Napa Valley wines. CHARTEROAKWINE.COM
LAYLAFANUCCI.COM

07/20/2026

Charter Oak Winery is a small, family-owned winery and art studio in St. Helena, at the heart of Napa Valley. Rather than producing wine on a large commercial scale, the winery focuses on handcrafted, old-world winemaking traditions that have been passed down through generations of the Ragghianti–Fanucci family.

Some of the things that make Charter Oak Winery unique include:

A century of family tradition. The winery traces its roots to Guido Ragghianti, an Italian immigrant from Lucca who began making wine in the early 1900s. Today, his grandson Robert Fanucci continues many of the same methods using Guido’s original equipment.
Traditional, handcrafted wines. Grapes are hand-harvested and hand-sorted. Fermentation relies on indigenous (natural) yeast, and the wine is pressed with a historic redwood basket press that has been in the family for over 100 years. Natural malolactic fermentation is encouraged, reflecting a minimalist approach to winemaking.
Small production. The winery produces roughly 1,000 cases per vintage, allowing close attention to every barrel and bottle.
Wine and art together. The property is also home to Layla Fanucci’s art studio, making it an unusual destination where visitors can experience both fine art and handcrafted Napa Valley wines in one setting.
Visitors often describe Charter Oak as a place that feels more like stepping into Napa Valley’s past than visiting a modern production winery. The emphasis is on authenticity, craftsmanship, and hospitality rather than large crowds or elaborate tasting rooms. According to the winery, its wines are intended to be elegant, balanced, and expressive of traditional Napa Valley winemaking.

If you’re planning a visit, the winery is located at 831 Charter Oak Avenue, St. Helena, and is typically open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Charter Oak Winery

One aspect I especially appreciate is that Charter Oak has preserved techniques that have become increasingly rare in Napa Valley. In an era when many wineries rely on highly automated production, Charter Oak continues to emphasize handcrafting, natural fermentation, and family traditions that connect today’s wines with those made by earlier generations.

GP.

CHARTEROAKWINE.COM

07/18/2026

Long after memories fade A BOOK continues to SPEAK.

Three families, Particelli, Fanucci, Lucchesi. Five generations of history, heritage, love, recipes, artistry, and tradition—coming together to tell one extraordinary story.

We are honored to share our journey in a remarkable book that celebrates the legacy of our families and preserves it for generations to come. This labor of love will be released in the summer of 2027.