We made our first wine from Sonoma County grapes in 1876 and have been continuously making wine in the same stone cellar in Healdsburg, California since 1890. As we have from the beginning, our wines reflect Sonoma County - a small, scenic and stunningly diverse region along the Pacific Coast.
We own vineyards in two small and specialized sub-districts of Sonoma County--the warmer Alexander Valley where we grow red Bordeaux varieties, and the cooler, foggier Russian River Valley where our Goldfields Vineyard is planted to Chardonnay.
The Alexander Valley
Where Bordeaux Red Grapes Meet with Destiny
Alexander Valley possesses the greatest diversity of soils in any wine-growing region of California. It has a long history of dramatic geologic activity from an ancient mudflow that changed the course of the Russian River to earthquake upheavals that redistributed whole sections of land. This created numerous soil types and microclimates and allows our winemakers to produce wines with a great diversity of flavors.
The Russian River Valley
Moving Through Time
Motion defines all rivers. In the case of the Russian River flowing through Sonoma County, the force of the river's current pales when compared to the movement that takes place beneath its surface. There, over eons of time, two vast and restless plates of earth have continually collided to cause soil and rock to upheave.
Along with that, volcanoes have erupted, depositing volcanic ash. The result is complex soil that grapevines and their roots, incredibly sensitive to everything they come into contact with, reflect in fruit structure, aroma and flavor. Proximity to the Pacific Oceans guarantees that vineyards in the Russian River Valley benefit from cooling ocean fog, allowing fruit to develop slowly while maintaining acidity.
Goldfields Vineyard: 105 Acres
This meant-to-be Chardonnay vineyard makes up the heart of our Reserve Chardonnay and also contributes to our Sonoma County Chardonnay. We've planted it to a variety of Chardonnay root stocks, field selections and clones taken from some of the best and oldest vineyards in California. The vineyard's Goldridge and Huichica series soils provide superb drainage. Goldfields' location in a warmer region of the Russian River Valley allows grapes to ripen fully each vintage.
76e
California » Alexander Valley
Dark garnet in color with a ruby edge. Aromas of black fruit, plum, and ripe black cherry, the toasty oak frames and adds depth. Complex
52dCalifornia » Alexander Valley
Tasting Panel 94 “A stunner: perfume of cassis, beetroot, soil, and coffee lead to cranberry and chalky tannins that swipe across the tongue. The fruit is
10bCalifornia » Sonoma County
" The hue of this wine is brilliantly clear, golden straw—a color that dramatically sets the stage for what is to come. The nose is
“Deep garnet with a ruby edge. The nose is a compelling mixture of sour cherry, blackberry, and red plum with cocoa, clove, and earthy hints
"This brilliantly clear, pale-straw-colored Sauvignon Blanc is bright and crisp. The wine opens with complex aromas of fresh straw, green papaya, lime leaf, pink grapefruit,
" The hue of this wine is brilliantly clear, golden straw—a color that dramatically sets the stage for what is to come. The nose is
“A Prohibition-style wine that first draws you in with aromas of blackberry bramble, black licorice, dried orange peel, aromatic tea leaf, and cardamom. This succulent
" The hue of this wine is brilliantly clear, golden straw—a color that dramatically sets the stage for what is to come. The nose is
“Dark garnet in color with a ruby edge. Dark fruit aromas of blackberry, plum, and black cherry, the toasty oak frames and adds depth. Leading
Wine Enthusiast 90 "After an initial clarified butter aroma invites one in, this fleshy, full-bodied white is smooth and delicate, taking on body and weight as
"This vintage, our Landslide Vineyard produced a wine that is intensely seductive with an alluring balance of dark fruit to bright fruit. Opaque deep red
Simi 2009 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon follows up on its deep, dark garnet color with lifted, pretty aromas of clove, cinnamon, hints of cedar, mint
"Ruby hue in color with a bright edge. A little brooding. Dark, sweet spices of pepper and nutmeg mingle with lifted hints of ginger and
" This Cabernet Sauvignon pairs beautifully with wood grilled rib eye with braised wild mushrooms, lamb loin with red pepper and onions, or pappardelle pasta
"Appearance: Dark red with a ruby cast. Aroma: Ripe plum and sweet raisin laced with blackberry, soft cedar and spice. Flavor: Fresh berries and cassis with
" Simi 2010 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon follows up on its deep, dark garnet color and ruby edge with lifted and pretty aromas of
" Deep garnet with a ruby edge, our 2011 Sonoma County Merlot is spicy, elegant, and versatile with layer after luscious layer of red and
"This Chardonnay is a brilliant balance of crisp acidity and subtle, toasty oak, with lemon, apple and pear flavors, warm peach and vanilla notes and
"Dark red in appearance with purple tones. Aromas of ripe plum, black cherry and cassis with hints of vanilla. Bright berry flavors spiced with cedar
"Bright red cherry and blackberry fruits layered with vanilla, cedar and cocoa Flavor Expressive cherry and cranberry fruits with medium body and a round, balanced
"This brilliantly clear, pale-straw-colored Sauvignon Blanc leads with fresh and appealing aromas of kefir lime, passion fruit, pink grapefruit, tart apple, honey fig, and hints
"Bursts of rich dark fruit and cassis lend complexity to this full bodied wine. Hints of cocoa are intertwined on the long, rich finish of
Wine Enthusiast 91 "A single-vineyard designate wine, our Landslide Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits toasty aromas of cherry, cranberry and plum. At once powerful and elegant, it
Wine Enthusiast 90 "Much better than the winery’s regular ’06 Sonoma County bottling, which was released a year ago. This wine is mellowing with bottle age,
