Jim and Cheryl Zanello purchased the 80-acre lot in Sandown, NH in 2000 with dreams of a quiet retirement. A home was built, and a small number of vines were planted before Jim began filling his time with hobbies of winemaking and woodworking. His passion and talent for both crafts caught on quickly and four years later, Zorvino Vineyards was born. The “Zor” in Zorvino comes from the origin of the family name Zorzanello and “Vino” is, of course, Italian for wine. Family and wine… the perfect pairing!
When it was built, the current structure was never intended to be used as an event space. The post and beam design appealed to many visitors with its rustic elegance and open concept which led to several requests to host weddings and special events. And so, the journey of becoming an award-winning wedding and event venue began. Similarly, the Zanello’s small planting of vines and homemade winemaking projects began to garner community support and quickly evolved into a commitment to growing high-quality fruit and producing award-winning wines here in New Hampshire.
Today, we host over 100 events each year where guests can enjoy many of our picturesque amenities from the gazebo overlooking the vineyard, man-made koi pond, and vine-lined archways to the sun-drenched patio, fire pits, and bocce ball courts. We produce over seven thousand cases of wine annually, featuring a robust portfolio of more than 60 different wines made from fruit sourced not only from our own two-acre vineyard but from some of the best grape-growing regions in the world.
Zorvino Vineyards remains a family-owned and operated business. Today, Jim and Cheryl’s daughter, Amy, is at the helm, continuing the legacy of dedicated hospitality and helping to champion the New Hampshire wine industry. Jim’s touch can still be found in every detail of the company. All the woodwork and creative design, from tasting tables to stairways, that you see at Zorvino are designed by Jim and created utilizing timber from the property. He’s a fixture on the grounds, impossible to miss with his infectious and jovial personality, and remains a guiding force behind the company.
The combination of beautifully landscaped grounds, rustic ambiance, and artisanal wines has not only made Zorvino a perfect place for wine tasting or a wedding but a successful venture as well. With the hard work of our extended Zorvino family, the winery and venue continue to grow and prosper. We are thankful for the support we receive from our local community and for all our visitors from near and far.
