Rich Parducci, who began learning his family’s wine business at age 12, has been named the 2026 recipient of the George Zeni Award for his contributions to Mendocino County’s wine industry.
Mendocino Winegrowers Inc. announced the award Oct. 27. The memorial trophy recognizes a grower or vintner with a sustained record of advocacy and dedication to the county’s wine community. Parducci will be honored at the organization’s annual Harvest Party on Saturday, Nov. 14, at BARRA of Mendocino. The event is open to the public.
The winemaker and managing partner at McNab Ridge Winery, Parducci is the fourth generation of a family whose Mendocino County winemaking roots date to 1932, when his great-grandfather, Adolph Parducci, established the family business. His grandfather, John Parducci, later helped build the region’s reputation for wine.
Parducci’s early training took him through vineyards, bottling lines, the laboratory and the cellar. He earned an associate degree in viticulture from Santa Rosa Junior College in 1989 and graduated magna cum laude from California State University, Fresno, with a bachelor’s degree in enology in 1992.
He returned to Parducci Wine Cellars as assistant winemaker, working there from 1992 to 1998 before becoming winemaker at Associated Vintage Group’s Hopland winery. He joined McNab Ridge in December 1999.
At McNab Ridge, his work includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Chardonnay, along with Family Reserve wines, vineyard-designated bottlings and The Fun Bunch collection. In the announcement, Parducci described the growers’ role in straightforward terms: “People behind the vines. That’s what it’s all about.”
His industry service has included a decade on the Mendocino Wine Growers Alliance board, from 1998 to 2008, followed by service on the Zinfandel Advocates and Producers board from 2009 to 2021.
“We make wines that get people to ask for a second glass,” Parducci said in the announcement.
Plan a visit to McNab Ridge winery to taste some delicious wine. Note that McNab Ridge is very dog-friendly, and your dog is welcome to join you. Fun fact: McNab Valley is named after the Scottish immigrant and American soldier Alexander McNab, who raised sheep on a 10,000-acre land grant in 1866. He became well known locally for the skill of his herding dogs — Peter and Fred — who became the patriarchs of the McNab dog breed, still a beloved working breed throughout the Pacific Northwest and Mendocino County.