OUR PORTFOLIO OF VINEYARDS & GROWERS
Gap’s Crown Vineyard
Gap’s Crown Vineyard is named after the weather phenomenon known as the Petaluma Wind Gap. The vineyard looks west to low-lying valleys that continue to the Pacific Ocean. Daily, these valleys fill with coastal fog, slowing the ripening process, creating a unique balance of rich flavors, textures and minerality.
- Pure expression of Petaluma Gap AVA Pinot Noir.
- Single clone bottling of Pinot Noir Clone 777.
- Fruit sourced from the same 11-rows of Pinot Block 13.
- Low yields + small berries + late ripening = a profound, svelte wine.
- Purest expression and example of cool weather Chardonnay.
- A racey, high acid, lower alcohol, Chardonnay; a delightful counterpoint from the “classic” California Chardonnay.
- Benchmark Gap’s Crown and Petaluma Gap terroir.
Chalone Vineyard
Chalone Vineyard is located on the west-side of Pinnacles National Park, in Central California. The Pinot Noir comes from 13 rows of the 667 Pinot Noir clone in the Vista 6-Block, at about 1,200’ elevation, plus or minus 100’ due to the rolling hills throughout the block. The Chardonnay comes from an older block of the vineyard planted in 1960 in rolling hills at 1,600 feet of elevation. The soil composition is unique to the Chalone area and is comprised of a high amount of limestone.
- One of California’s most historically significant vineyards, situated at an arid, high-elevation site, unlike most Pinot Noir vineyards.
- Soil composition significantly similar to Burgundy. Terrior can truly be tasted in this vivid Pinot Noir of pronounced varietal character.
- One of California’s most historically significant vineyards, situated at an arid, high-elevation site, unlike most Pinot Noir vineyards.
- Harvested from the same block of Chardonnay used in the 1974 bottling of Chalone Winery’s Chardonnay that placed third in the “Judgement of Paris” tasting in 1976, besting more famous Chardonnay’s from Chablis.
Maple Vineyards
Maple Vineyards contains 27 acres of exceptional head-trained zinfandel, on the high bench land in the heart of Dry Creek Valley. The oldest block was planted in 1910, linking our current wines to the rich history and traditions of the early immigrants of Dry Creek Valley. David Rafanelli continues these traditional, labor intensive farming techniques today, personally managing the farming as did Tom and Tina Maple before him. The sandy-loam riverbed soil has incredible drainage, allowing all nutrients and rains to reach down to the deep roots. The old-vines aren’t irrigated, causing a high level of stress on the vines before harvest, creating small grapes with big flavors, and continues the decades long practice of sustainability for Maple Vineyard.
Video courtesy of Zinfandel Advocates & Producers.
- The “text book” definition of Dry Creek Zinfandel
- Vineyard terrior of “peppery-spicy,” structure, and juicy, ripe fruit
- Dry farmed old vines – deep and concentrated, full bodied and fleshy
- Minimum age of vines is 85 years old
Tina's Block
Planted in 1910, Tina’s Block is the oldest section of the vineyard. This 2-acre parcel has records claiming that the block was planted to all Zinfandel, yet we know that Tina’s Block is currently comprised of at least 20% Mixed Black varietals. Petite Sirah, Carignan, Cinsault, Mission, and Alicante Bouschet are all inter-planted throughout the block giving this wine its unique character.
- The “text book” definition of a Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
- Dry farmed old vines – deep and concentrated, full bodied and fleshy
- “Old-Vine Field-Blend” adds uniqueness that changes with each vintage
Armida Redwood Estates
Our Estate vineyard was planted in 1996 alongside the historical Old Redwood Highway just south of the town of Healdsburg. Here, warm days and cool nights combine with the old-riverbed clay soil to produce an ideal growing climate for the Sauvignon Blanc grape. Meticulous farming and minimal irrigation allow this vineyard to express its full potential of flavors. Two different clones of Sauvignon Blanc are grown here to add increased variation and complexity to the wine - Old Wente and Sauvignon Musque clones. There is also a small acre of Pinot Gris next to the Sauvignon Blanc that is sometimes used in the final blend.
- A modern blend of Sauvignon Blanc from a cool site in the Russian River Valley appellation.
- 100% sur lees aged for four months and 10% of the blend was barrel fermented – refreshing, vibrant fruit wrapped in a round, sensuous mouthfeel.
Castelli-Knight Vineyard
Castelli-Knight Ranch is located in the northern section of the Russian River Valley AVA on the highly sought after area along Eastside Road. Twenty years ago approximately 4 acres of two different clones of Pinot Noir (777 and 115) were planted on the rolling hills of the ranch. The soil structure consists of sandy loam and red clay with very little topsoil, creating a stressful, low-vigor environment and producing Pinot Noir grapes with concentrated and powerful flavors.
- Benchmark expression of Russian River AVA Pinot Noir.
- Two clone bottling of Pinot Noir Clone 777 and Clone 115
Parmelee-Hill Vineyard
Located off Arnold Drive just south of the town of Sonoma and planted in 1994, the vineyard is located only 10 miles from San Pablo Bay. The marine influence of cooling afternoon winds result in Pinot Noir grapes with stronger protective skin, causing increased color and phenolics. This inimitable, challenging vineyard site displays the potential of Pinot Noir grown along the southern Sonoma Coast.
- Rolling hills throughout the Pinot Noir block give the grapes different light intensities and soils that result in a more balanced wine.
- Intensive attention to detail in the vineyard and operations means that we always receive pristine fruit at our crush pad.
Located off Arnold Drive, just south of the town of Sonoma, and originally planted to cool climate varietals, Steve Hill asked Armida’s Owners Bruce and Steve Cousins if they would like him to plant a special one-acre block of Zinfandel. After a resounding YES! from brothers Cousins, the acre was planted featuring steep southward facing terraces. Cool nights, well-draining soils, immaculate farming, and long hang time help achieve perfect ripeness and a surprisingly complex Zinfandel.
- One of the few single-vineyard bottlings of a “Sonoma Coast” Zinfandel.
- Vineyard terrior of a warm climate varietal in a cool climate environment.
- Uniquely concentrated, complex and elegant.
Armida Estate Il Campo
Il Campo is grown, fermented, and barrel-aged at our estate on Westside Road on the southern tip of the Dry Creek Valley. Six acres were planted in the late 1990’s on eastern-facing sloping hills. This vineyard orientation ensures that the vineyard would only see direct sunlight during the often foggy mornings. “Il Campo” is Italian for “the fields,” to mark and continue the rich traditions of the early Italian immigrants to the Dry Creek Valley, where some original plantings of field blends are still being used today. We followed suit and planted 5 acres of Zinfandel, one acre of Petite Sirah, and small amounts of Carignan and Alicante Bouschet. Today, using low-watering techniques and sustainable farming practices, Il Campo is poised to create its own history!
- A one-of-a- kind, traditional, Dry Creek Valley field blend
- Grown in the southern, cooler portions of the Dry Creek Valley – an elegant, bright, complex Zinfandel and a marked departure from most Dry Creek Zinfandels.
Gold Mine Ranch
Gold Mine Ranch’s 3-acre vineyard was planted to Zinfandel before the original owner was drafted into the service before World War I. Returning from war, the owner set out to discover precious metals on his property to craft jewelry. He burrowed two holes near the Zinfandel in search of gold, and henceforth the vineyard was known as “Gold Mine Ranch.” Today, the century-old vineyard is dry-farmed and organically managed using techniques and farming traditions similar to those of the original owner. Situated close to West Dry Creek Road, the Gold Mine Ranch is bordered by old-growth Redwood Forest and looks directly down to the Dry Creek Valley.
- Rare century old vineyard in the western hills of Dry Creek Valley
- Vineyard has remained 100% Zinfandel, and is not a “field blend”
- Redwoods casting shadows and hills sloping in every direction creates a balance of flavors in the vineyard
Stuhlmuller Vineyard
Block 8 in the Stuhlmuller Vineyard is located on a 300 foot knoll that faces east staring at Mount St. Helena. These vines are terraced in alluvial and benchland soil, sandy loam, gravel and rocks, and facing such that most of the sun they receive is morning sun. This allows the grapes to ripen on the vine longer than normal, without accumulating too much sugar. The gradual ripening allows produces low yields of small, intensely flavored berries.
- Old world style. Balanced and tightly knit. Violets and earth.
- 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Stuhlmuller is uniquely located on the southern border of Alexander Valley, and is only 1 mile from both the Chalk Hill and Russian River AVAs.