10/10/2025
On the eve of the Harvest Fair we are proud to spotlight Mel Sanchietti, our 2025 Ag Awardee for Lifetime Contribution to Sonoma County Agriculture.
Mel was born in 1948 where his family was farming their home ranch on the Santa Rosa Plains, established by his grandparents in 1919 after immigrating from Italy. Today, Mel Sanchietti and his wife of over 40 years, Janeen, continue to live in the same home Mel’s grandparents built in 1929. “My ranch is my hobby,” he says, “I never get tired of it.”
When Sanchietti’s grandparents purchased the Irwin Lane property it was planted to wine grapes, but when prohibition hit, the family planted prunes, walnuts, pears and apples and raised poultry. As Mel grew, he found that he liked be a farmer. As an adult, he started a small custom farming business and in 1984 he purchased the property from his parents. In the late 90’s, at the age of 50 and after many years of contracting with Korbel (his largest client), Mel accepted a position at the winery as Vice President in charge of farming. In his role, he helped purchase property and led grower relations, a position he held for 15 years before retiring.
Mel Sanchietti has two daughters, Angela and Lori, who live locally and work outside of farming. His son, Mark, started his own farming business with his wife, Jenny. Today, they have over 400 acres in their own portfolio. “Today, I work on my ranch. It’s not like a job. It’s what I love to do.” Said Sanchietti. “I have five grandchildren and they all live here. And it doesn’t get much better than that.”
Cheers to Mel, and the entire Sanchietti family. 🥂
