Great wines begin in great vineyards.
Each season as we walk the vineyards, we realize how our wine exemplifies the intersection of true potential of incredible Sonoma Coast terroirs, our clones and our passion for winemaking. As the growing season progresses, our constant vigil of walking the rows and monitoring the progress of the vines helps us to determine the perfect moment to harvest our fruit.
Gap's Crown Vineyard
Gap's Crown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
If one were to pick a single Petaluma Gap vineyard to declare as “the best,” Gap’s Crown would be the obvious choice. It’s big—138 acres big—but the farming quality is hands-on, with a boutique-level approach. The site, on the slopes leading up to Sonoma Mountain, naturally mitigates the challenges of the Petaluma Gap: wind, fog, heat, and cold (sometimes all in the same day). The vines are densely planted in intensely rocky soil: A recipe for greatness, if the vigneron is patient. Once bottled, these wines seem to know they need time in the cellar. We don’t mind, there’s no hurry. We’re in it for the long run.
Petersen Vineyard
William and Diane Petersen
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Our relationship with William and Diane Petersen goes back to our home winemaking days when they supplied us with some of our first Pinot Noir grapes. The Petersens planted their 7.5 acres of vines in 1997, but the family has been farming the property since the 1860s. It’s a very cold site but the vines thrive, thanks to the Petaluma Gap’s defining temperature shifts and daily cooling winds. The Petersens are exceptional friends growing the exceptional grapes we use for our Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. Although it’s labeled as a Sonoma Coast bottling, this is a single-vineyard wine.
Four Brothers Vineyard
Jim and Marlene Sullivan
Four Brothers Vineyard Chardonnay
Jim Sullivan’s California bona fides go back generations: his grandfather was the first forest ranger at Yosemite National Park. Jim, who was formerly a stockbroker, planted the Four Brothers Vineyard in Bennett Valley in the late 1990's. The 11 ridge-top acres, planted with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, are the perfect site for Burgundian grape varieties. Jim’s sons are also prolific winemakers, with Patrick serving as our consultant. We do like to keep things in the family around here!
Indindoli Family Vineyards
Carmine Indindoli
Indindoli Vineyard Chardonnay
When you first meet Carmine Indindoli, he will tell you his motto:
I love to grow grapes.
I love to grow grapes for good wine.
I love for people to enjoy good wine.
We love Carmine. We’ve known him going on 30 years. In 1976, he escaped a career as an electrical engineer to grow great grapes in the Russian River Valley. And when we were home winemakers, he was our first winemaking mentor. He was Erica’s first winemaking teacher, too. His vineyard is in the Vine Hill region, where cool weather means a longer growing season and more complex grapes. Great vineyard, great guy.