Anton Nichelini founded the Nichelini Winery in 1890. On the southern slope of Sage Canyon, he and his wife Caterina built their home and winery and raised twelve children. Ownership passed to their eldest son, William, in 1937 and to his son James Edward in 1963. James served as winemaker, owner, and operator until his death on April 22, 1985. Jo-Anne Nichelini Meyer, James' daughter, continued the family tradition in the fourth generation.