Ray Sr., (died in 1998) used to work for the San Francisco Chronicle and later was an executive for North Pacific Mines LTD in Vancouver and a mining promoter. Ray Sr’s dreams of owning a summer house in Napa, which was never actually built (although Ray Jr later built a home on the property), transitioned into building their physical winery which was completed by 1988. This was the the first vintage of Signorello Estate. In 1985, due to a larger than normal crop, they kept their grapes for their own use and produced several thousand cases of Chardonnay made at what was Koves-Newlan Winery near Yountville (now the site of Silenus Vintners).
Their winery permit was approved in 1980. Realizing the premium quality of wines being produced from their vineyard, the Signorello’s decided to build their own winery. He initially sold the grapes to other wineries including Cakebread, Caymus and William Hill. Neighbors including Frank Altamura were growing premium vineyards in 1980 with the help of his son, Ray Sr. Signorello Estate was founded in 1977 when Ray Signorello Sr purchased property in the hills next to the southern part of the Silverado Trail his original intent was to own a summer home away from San Francisco Bay area where he lived at the time.