Marty Spate is the winemaker at Riboli Winery in Paso Robles, CA. He grew up in a small farming community in the heart of Fresno County’s agricultural lands. Marty continued his education at California State University, Fresno. Working and studying at the campus winery, gaining a true hands-on learning experience, he earned his degree in Food Science/Wine Production. After college, Marty joined the wine business as a winemaker and has continued making wine for over 20 years. Marty expanded his appreciation for old world and new world winemaking while working in Italy, Spain, Australia, California’s San Joaquin Valley, and most recently, California’s Central Coast. Marty’s love for the wine industry goes beyond crafting quality blends. He is also known for his dedication to coaching and team building and his passion for wine education within the community and industry.
Marty joined the Riboli Family wine team in 2022. In his free time, he can be found relaxing and BBQing with his 3 boys.
Media Inquiries: Audrey Mulligan amulligan@riboliwines.com | https://sanantoniowinery.com/locations/paso-robles/
What’s the ONE THING most unique, authentic, & memorable about your brand?
Riboli Family Wines stands out for its rare blend of tradition, innovation, and heartfelt authenticity, rooted in over a century of family winemaking. Founded in 1917, it’s one of the few remaining family-owned wineries in California, now led by the 3rd and 4th generations of the Riboli Family. What makes Riboli Family Wines truly memorable is its deep respect for heritage, while also pioneering sustainable practices and award-winning wines like those under the San Simeon and Highlands 41 wine labels. Every bottle tells a story of legacy, resilience, and a genuine love for the craft.
Describe how and what you’d do with your winemaking career or winery business if you were not constrained.
This is a difficult one to answer because I feel like I have access to incredible fruit, state-of-the-art facilities, and a passionate team that shares my love for the craft. I feel very fortunate to have that – not many of my peers can check off all of those boxes; maybe one or two categories, but not all. That said, the one thing I find myself always wishing for is more time. It’s the mother of all constants and is the one thing I find I do not have enough of. If I had more time, I’d have the opportunity not only to make wine, but also be out in the market sharing our amazing wines with even more Oenophiles.
What is the One Wine most emblematic of your brand and/or winemaking style? Tell us its story.
Our San Simeon Cabernet Sauvignon captures the essence of Riboli Family Wines’ commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and sustainability. Sourced from our estate vineyards in Paso Robles—an AVA known for producing world-class Cabernets—San Simeon reflects the balance of bold character and refined elegance that defines our style. It’s a wine that tells a story of family, of California terroir, and of our passion for creating wines that are both expressive and enduring. More than a reflection of our heritage, this Cabernet represents the future the Riboli’s are building—one rooted in sustainability and a deep commitment to giving back to the land that gives us so much. Read the San Simeon wine review here.
Bonus Question: Why Winemaking?
For me, it started in the vineyard. I grew up farming grapes, and somewhere along the way, chemistry caught my attention in high school. When I got to college, I found out you could not only get a degree in winemaking but also build a career out of it. Winemaking brought everything together in a way that felt natural and deeply fulfilling. I have always felt like I don’t get up and go to “work” in the morning – I get up every day, go to a beautiful winery and practice my hobby every day, and somehow, that hobby turned into a career that comes with a paycheck, health benefits, and a 401(k). I consider myself incredibly lucky.