Estate Vineyard. Farming on the Edge
Grape growing at the extreme
Situated on the steep ridgetops of the Sonoma Coast near the Pacific Ocean, Fort Ross Vineyard is distinguished by its high elevation and diverse terroir. Spanning just over fifty acres, the vineyard’s 33 small blocks vary in terroir and farmed to the strictness standards.
The rugged topography and climate necessitate arduous farming practices. We are dedicated to sustainable farming and in addition to cultivating distinguished vines, we aim to preserve the natural habitat around us.
Fort Ross-Seaview AVA
The Fort Ross-Seaview American Viticultural Area (AVA), located in far western Sonoma County, was officially established in 2012, though wine grapes have been sporadically cultivated there since 1817, beginning at historic Fort Ross. Covering about 555 acres, the AVA features vineyards planted on steep coastal ridges at elevations between 920 and 1,800 feet, offering a unique “Coastal Cool” climate shaped by its elevation and proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Its rugged terrain and low yields make viticulture especially challenging, attracting only a handful of growers, including top Pinot Noir and Chardonnay producers like Flowers, Wayfarer, and Martinelli. Pioneers Lester and Linda Schwartz played a key role in the AVA’s formation and founded the Fort Ross-Seaview Winegrowers Association to promote the region.
Diverse Geology
The California coast is a dynamic place. With a long history of seismic activity the soil and terrain is beautiful and diverse. Various soils, exposures, and slopes that all reside near the ocean bring about vines that have great character. Farming requires dedication, yields are naturally low, but we are rewarded with exceptional wines.
In the mornings, fog rolling off the Pacific shrouds this vineyard in a magical haze. By noon, the sun’s rays transform the illusion, revealing perfectly manicured Pinot Noir vines planted on rugged coastal slopes.Food & Wine Magazine
Winemaking
The vision is to create beautiful wines that represent this place. Our winemaking approach to achieve this is to observe, study and bring the wines to life gently. Techniques such as night harvest, native fermentation, and aging in carefully selected French Oak barrels bring us exceptional wines.
The Wines ›