Six Generations of Sonoma County farming recognized in national exhibit exploring American history and home.
April 30, 2026 (Forestville, CA) — For six generations, the Martinelli family has farmed the same tract of land in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, California. Their story of perseverance and dedication is now being shared with a global audience at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library in Austin, Texas as part of its special exhibit, “What We Bring to the Table: Tales of History and Home,” on view from April 11, 2026, through January 3, 2027. Timed to coincide with the nation’s 250th anniversary, the exhibit invites visitors to explore the stories that have shaped American life through one of its most familiar settings: the kitchen table. Across generations, tables have served as gathering places where traditions are shared, values are passed down, and communities are built. Through personal stories, everyday objects, and immersive experiences, the exhibit highlights how people from diverse backgrounds have lived, worked, and created a sense of home in the United States. A timeline of federal policies and national milestones runs alongside these narratives, connecting individual family journeys to the broader arc of American history.
At its heart, the exhibit is about connection—how individual stories come together to form the ever-evolving American story.
“Being featured at the LBJ Presidential Library is a tremendous honor,” said Lee Martinelli, Sr., third generation. “My grandparents came to America as immigrants with little more than a dream to plant a vineyard. To see our family’s journey recognized and shared in this way means a great deal to all of us.”
About Martinelli Winery
The Martinelli family has been farming in Sonoma County since the 1880s. All wines are produced from estate-grown grapes, carefully cultivated by Lee Martinelli Sr. and his sons, Lee Jr. and George, continuing a multi-generational legacy of stewardship of the land.
Working alongside winemaker Courtney Wagoner and consulting winemaker Erin Green, the team is involved in every step of the process—from soil analysis and rootstock selection to vineyard management and final blending. Martinelli Winery is best known for its single-vineyard Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Syrah.
Learn more at martinelliwinery.com
