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Mr. Vincente Rizzo moved to Detroit, Michigan as part of the from St Louis, they had a son in 1939 named Ross Rizzo, who
Marshall Plan after participating in World War I as an would go on to become the owner, and president of the
infantryman for the Italian Army. His first job in the US was Bernardo Winery for longer than any other owner or president
building fruit boxes in a factory for pennies. Again, as records has. For forty-four years, from 1964 to 2008, Ross Rizzo
are very sparse, we do know that Mr. Rizzo traveled to Texas Senior was the director of Bernardo Winery and really
to work on a Cattle Rancho by 1920, and then by 1921, Mr. changed the landscape of the business internally, to reflect
Rizzo moved to Tijuana, Mexico. The ever-present alcohol the changing landscape around and outside of the business.
prohibition pushed many of the alcohol-seeking patrons to Olive oil was produced once again and made available for sale
Tijuana from Southern California to Las Vegas. With a very at the winery, and the winery village shops and artisan village
ripe economic outlook for the area, Mr. Rizzo prospered and came to be, as well as the several event venues in use today.
became a very prominent individual, owning bars, clubs and a In 2008 Ross Rizzo Sr passed away, leaving the winery in the
hotel. capable hands of his son Ross Rizzo Jr. to continue the family
With the potential to own a winery, which was a family wine tradition. Today, Ross and his mother Veronica and
tradition dating back to generations before Mr. Rizzo, and the sisters, Selena and Samantha, run the family winery and
opportunity, Mr. V Rizzo became a partner and ultimately the continue to shape and grow the winemaking business in an ever
sole owner of the Bernardo Winery in 1928. changing and growing San Diego wine region, while preserving
history and keeping the old ways alive and well.
During the late 1930’s, Mr. Rizzo married Elizabetta Curia

San Diego Woman

17

Photos by
Shadowcatcher Imagery
www.shadowcatcherimagery.com

The family phoTo:

Back Row from L to R
Rick Roberts, Selena Roberts, Veronica Hall-Rizzo, Samantha Nawrocki, Weston Nawrocki

Front Row from L to R
Spencer Pewitt, Ross Rizzo, Max Pewitt