Silvio ‘Tony’ Ciccone is a first generation American. His parents immigrated to Pennsylvania from Pacentro, Italy. He served in the Air Force and on completion of his enlistment earned a degree in Physics from Geneva College. Armed with his degree he gained employment with Chrysler and then General Dynamics in suburban Detroit, where he worked as an Optical Engineer.
He and his wife Joan lived in Rochester Hills for over 30 years, raising eight children. Joan operated a daycare out of their home. Tony always had a couple rows of grapevines in the back yard carrying on his father’s tradition of making wine which he learned growing up in Pennsylvania.
When Joan and Tony retired, they headed north to wine country to pursue his dream of owning and operating a vineyard. Searching for the best place to plant grapes, they acquired the Hilltop Rd. property in October of 1995. The following spring, they planted the first five acres of grapes by hand. The varieties include Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Gewürztraminer.
The tradition has now been passed on to his children. Mario, his son, is the vineyard manager. He maintains the vines and property. Over many years he as learned to produce the best grapes to be turned into wine. Paula, his daughter, learned to make wine from her father and has continued her research to refine her craft. Paula is now the winemaker as Tony has retired to a consulting role. Paula has produced many award-winning wines at the vineyard. Daughter Jennifer has joined the team to assist her father and continues to oversee the dream that he and Joan have created.
Ciccone Vineyard and Winery was among the first 10 wineries in Leelanau County. They are in good company with L. Mawby, Bel Lago, Willow, and Black Star Farms.
