Meet The Franscioni Family

For four generations, the Franscioni family has farmed the Santa Lucia Highlands. ROAR Wines was founded in 2001 by Gary and Rosella Franscioni, grounded in a belief that great wine begins with thoughtful, hands-on farming. It remains, to this day, a family-run winery whose primary focus is winegrowing.

Gary Franscioni is a third-generation farmer who grew up in his family’s agricultural business in the Salinas Valley. After graduating from Cal Poly, he transitioned the family’s focus from row crops to viticulture, planting Rosella’s Vineyard in 1996 and co-founding Garys’ Vineyard and Soberanes Vineyard with Gary Pisoni soon after. He later established Sierra Mar Vineyard, which is among the appellation’s most dramatic and expressive sites. Today, Gary continues to oversee the family’s vineyards, orchards, and winery with his two sons.

Rosella Franscioni has been a guiding creative force since ROAR’s beginning. From shaping the original label to cultivating the beauty of the family’s home and gardens, her influence is woven throughout the winery. The vineyard that bears her name reflects the same grace and elegance she brings to both family and place.

Nick Franscioni represents the next generation of ROAR. Growing up among the vines, he began working alongside Gary in the vineyards and orchards before transitioning into winemaking, where he now helps shepherd the winery’s vision forward.

Adam Franscioni, though not in attendance, plays an integral role in managing the family’s vineyards and farming operations, ensuring the continued stewardship of the land for generations to come.