Important Vineyards in Sonoma County

Not necessarily the best, oldest, biggest, or most famous vineyards, though they could be. These are important because of their influence. We are talking about the vineyards that grow wine grapes, not wineries. 

 

Bacigalupi's Goddard Ranch, home of the Paris Block
image from bacigalupivineyards.com

   Important Sonoma County Vineyards 

Bacigalupi, Russian River Valley 
Helen Bacigalupi made five trips in an old truck over the mountain from the Russian River Valley to Calistoga delivering Chardonnay grapes to Mike Grgich to help make Chateau Montelina's 1973 Chardonnay, the one that beat the French at the Judgment of Paris. The Bacigalupi winery still makes a special Chardonnay from what they call the Paris Block.

Bedrock, Sonoma Valley
The vineyard was founded in 1854 by Generals William Sherman and Joe Hooker then replanted by Senator George Hearst in the 1880s after phylloxera went through. Yes, real star power here. It was known as the Madrone Ranch until 20 years ago when it was purchased by Joel Peterson of Ravenswood Winery fame. If you believe that points are important, the highest scoring Zinfandel from the Wine Spectator comes from this vineyard.

Hanzell, Sonoma Valley
The home of the first modern day plantings (1953) of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Sonoma County. The first Pinot in the county was probably planted at the long-gone Fountaingrove Winery in Santa Rosa in the 1880s. Hanzell was the place for Pinot Noir before Pinot became a thing 30-ish years ago.

Monte Rosso, Moon Mountain
First planted in the 1880s, it was purchased by Louis Martini in 1938. Zinfandel, Semillon, Burger, and Muscat were the first grapes planted. Yes, Burger, and not with cheese. Martini planted Cabernet Sauvignon and the Louis Martini Winery has always been known for their Cab. Some of the original Zinfandel and Semillon blocks are still producing wine. The Louis Martini Winery is now owned by Gallo. Monte Rosso's special location perched in the mountains on red volcanic soil makes some very special wines.

Rochioli, Russian River Valley
The Rocholi family's first wine grapes were French Colombard and others used for jug wines. In 1959, they tried Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cab came out as the climate isn't warm enough, but the Sauv Blanc was excellent. In 1968, they started planting Pinot Noir then Chardonnay. The first Pinot made from all of their own grapes, a 1985, was named the Best Pinot in America by Wine Spectator. Rochioli Winery was off and running. Joe Rochioli, along with Joseph Swan, Burt William, and Ed Selyem, were early pioneers of Russian River Pinot Noir.

Rockpile, Rockpile
Wine grapes were first planted in this remote area of the county in the 1870s. The modern era begins with Rod and Cathy Park in 1992 when they bought the Rockpile Ranch and planted Cabernet Sauvignon. Shortly afterward, they were followed by Gary Branham and Jack Florence. Budwood for the Florence Vineyard Zinfandel came from the nearby St. Peter's Church Vineyard, planted in 1872. These modern era farmers got the Rockpile AVA approved in 2002. The Rockpile Ranch is now owned by Ken Wilson, of Wilson Winery fame. Rockpile is a spectacular location for Cab and Zin, visually and terroir-ally. Some of the vineyard up here are off the grid with no power lines. Like I said, it's remote.

The rugged, remote Rockpile AVA
image from sonomacounty.com

The next post will be on other interesting vineyards that didn't make this list. Stay tuned!