OUR VINEYARDS
Russian River Valley – Sonoma County
Davis Bynum’s passion is in the land — the unique characteristics that each acre brings to the winemaking table. Davis saw the unique beauty that the Russian River Valley possesses in soil diversity, unique microclimates and some of the best vineyards in the world.
Our reverence for Russian River Valley and the individual qualities of each vineyard site inspire us to craft intentional wines that highlight the distinct terroir of this renowned region.
Russian River Valley
Our winemaker, Greg Morthole, believes the best vineyard sites yield fruit that distinctly express the characteristics of their location in the finished wine. The Russian River Valley climate is influenced by the consistent creep of cooling fog from the Pacific Ocean a few miles west. Much like the tide, it ebbs and flows through the Petaluma Wind Gap and the channel cut by the Russian River across the coastal hills. The fog arrives in the evening, dropping temperatures by as much as 35 to 40 degrees, and retreats to the ocean in the morning. This natural air-conditioning and temperature variation throughout the day allow wine grapes to develop full flavor maturity over an extended growing season while retaining their natural acidity.
Winemaker - Greg Morthole“Great wine comes from great grapes and we believe the best grapes are grown on River West – it is a truly special site, unlike any other.”
RIVER WEST VINEYARD
Our winemaker sources from exceptional vineyard sites across the Russian River Valley including our home, River West Vineyard, located in the heart of the Middle Reach neighborhood of the valley. This low riverside bench vineyard is home to 335 acres of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. The terrain is gently sloping and beautifully diverse, with a deep variety of soils and microclimates that allow us to meticulously plant each block to highlight the characteristics of the varietal grown there.
We’ve planted our Pinot Noir on the upper bench in well-drained, reddish soil that lends concentration to our wines. Our Chardonnay is planted down in the lower bench near the river in well-drained sandy loam soils interspersed with gravelly Cortina soils. This combination of varied soil types and distinctive climate allows room for innovation and creativity while letting the land speak, as he selects fruit that distinctly expresses the characteristics of the site.
