For Good Reason

They call it the Provence or Tuscany of California,
     this most favored piece of the world,
          with an artist's palette.

Stretching to the edge of the sea, 
     idyllic waving hillsides provide shelter
          and fodder for sheep and cows and deer. 

Vineyards lush with purple grapes and golden mustard
     mingle with orchards of apples and pears and evergreen trees, 
          bringing forth each season's gifts.

Farms of berry, mushroom, and arugula, 
     contrast with the wild natural landscape
          and illuminate all manner of abundance and rural splendor.

All this borders on a graceful river, 
     known to its earlier natives as the Snake River
          for its twists and turns created by ancient explosions.

A river once known to its Russian explorers as the Slavianka
    is now known as the Russian River
          in tribute to those same brave Russians.

This river is home to salmon, otter, heron, osprey 
     and all manner of flora and fauna,
          now a torrent, now a trickle.

The mercurial nature of the Russian River 
     gives way to grand forested mountains,
          covered with queenly redwoods, ferns, and fir.

A forest now secreting the shadowy mountain lion, 
     now unfolding gracefully to an ocean coast. 
          finally inspiring a poem about incomparable beauty.

     So, we who wax lyrical do so for love of this landscape and of the fruit of this earth, blessed, we think, because we live here, wanting to share it with those who want to visit and enjoy.

     This web site, devoted to the joys of wine in this most wondrous region, has a large task: to offer you comprehensive, current, and often opinionated information about the wineries and everything else you need to know to maximize your enjoyment of a visit to this area.  Here you will find in-depth information about our appellations: Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, and Russian River Valley with its sub-appellations of Green Valley, and Chalk Hill, and whatever might enhance your joy in our wines, our food , and our natural wonders. 

   What grape do you fancy?  We grow a grape for everyone; from household names like Pinot Noir, Cabernet, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Zinfandel to lesser known varietals like Petite Sirah, Gewurtztraminer, Muscat, Carignane, Mourvdre, and Sangiovese.