Interesting Sonoma County Vineyards (Part 2)

The previous post was Important Vineyards in Sonoma County. This is a follow-up of other vineyards that didn't make that list, but are still interesting, and somewhat important.

  

Jackass Hill Vineyard, a great place to farm   :)
image from martinelliwinery.com

Other Interesting Vineyards

Chianti Station, Alexander Valley
A 1910 Sangiovese planting that contains clones no longer found anywhere else in the world.

Durell, Carneros
Since the early 1980s, the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have been highly-respected.

Dutton Ranch, Russian River Valley
A huge ranch of scattered vineyards farmed by a local family that started with prunes in the late 19th century. You've come a long way, baby!

Gap's Crown, Petaluma Gap
A newer vineyard in the newer Petaluma Gap AVA, that has everyone excited about the Chardonnay and especially the Pinot Noir coming from here. The Gap's Crown Vineyard is the crown of the Petaluma Gap growing area.

Jackass Hill, Russian River Valley
Martinelli Winery's historic Zinfandel vineyard sitting on a steep hillside.

Maple, Dry Creek Valley
About 25 acres of what might be the best Zinfandel on the planet.

Montecillo, Moon Mountain
Sitting in the same mountains as Monte Rosso (see the previous blog entry). Both vineyards are known for producing top-notch Cabernet. Both also contain some of the oldest producing Cab vineyards in the county. This was the main vineyard used in the old Kenwood Vyds Artist Series Cabernet. 

Pagani, Sonoma Valley
First planted in the late 19th century. This vineyard has produced some memorable Zinfandels for some big name wineries, such as Ridge/Lytton Springs, Seghesio, and Bedrock. Some vines were pulled out and replaced about ten years ago.

Rhinefarm, Sonoma Valley
Gundlach-Bundschu's estate vineyard was founded in 1858. It fell into disrepair after the 1906 earthquake, then Prohibition. A descendant, Jim Bundschu, restarted the winery and replanted the vineyards in the 1970s.

St. Peter's Church, Alexander Valley
This old vineyard helped put the Rockpile AVA (see previous blog post) on the map as cuttings from here were used for replanting early Rockpile vineyards. Rosenblum was the first to make a single-vineyard Zinfandel from here. You can find one at Ridge/Lytton Springs now.

Teldeschi, Dry Creek Valley
Started in the late 19th century and has been in the same family for four generations. Some of the oldest vines in Dry Creek are here, going back to the 1880s.

Trenton, Russian River Valley 
Joseph Swan helped put the Russian River Valley on the map for Pinot Noir. Joseph Swan Vineyards' Trenton Estate Vineyard contains the oldest Pinot in the RRV. 

100+ year old vines at St. Peter's Church Vineyard,
and the legendary vintner, the late Ulises Valdez
image from Randy Caparoso Photography