Rising nearly 360 feet above the Alexander Valley floor just west of Jimtown, “The Crown” is undeniably one of Sonoma County’s best-known Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards. First released in 1974, Alexander’s Crown Cabernet Sauvignon became Sonoma County’s first single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Roughly 66 acres are planted, primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon (with just three acres of Merlot). Soils here are predominantly well-drained gravelly loam derived from river sediments and volcanic activity. In Block 1, found at the very pinnacle of the hill, the soils are deeply red and produce the most intensely flavored grapes. One of the first parts of the valley to feel ocean breezes in the afternoon, The Crown expresses Cabernet Sauvignon in a quite Bordeaux-like style, with ripe flavors centered on red fruit, generous round tannins and beautifully balanced acidity.

The Brothers Ridge vineyard is found in the hills just east of the small town of Cloverdale. Its 141 acres are mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with small blocks of Merlot and Malbec making up the difference. Soils are well-drained loam supported by sandstone, fractured shale and ancient greenstone. With elevations surpassing 1,000 feet, vineyards are planted on west-facing slopes, perfectly situating the vines to capture the full warmth and light of the afternoon sun. Cabernet Sauvignon develops well into the chocolate and black fruit profile, with immense body, firm structure and exceptional richness.

Located in the southern end of the Alexander Valley, the deep sandy loam soils of Bud’s Ranch are ideal for Chardonnay, producing soft, rich and ripe flavors that border on tropical. Bud’s Ranch is named in honor of Bud Klein, proprietor Tom Klein’s father.

Tucked between Alexander’s Crown and the Russian River, Charlotte’s Home was named for Rod Strong’s wife. The deep soils and gravel favor Sauvignon Blanc. Charlotte’s Home vineyard must be harvested in several passes: the gravel areas ripen first, giving ripe pear and melon character. Later-ripening vines on deeper soils provide crisp citrus flavors.

Cut in half by Gill Creek, the Hubbard Ranch vineyard has gravelly Cortina soils and is planted to 30 acres of classic head-trained Zinfandel vines. Recent plantings included Petite Sirah and Touriga Nacional. Touriga is one of the finest grapes in Portugal and used in the “True Gentleman’s Port”.

Bordering Sausal Creek, this very gravelly vineyard is on the locally famous Cortina soil series, esteemed for production of Bordeaux varieties. We grow Merlot here, which often finds its way into our Meritage, Symmetry.

Acquired in 2003, Rockaway Vineyard is planted almost exclusively to Bordeaux varietals, with just a bit of Syrah. On the eastern slope of Alexander Valley just above Geyserville, the property rises to an elevation of 750 feet, with the contour sloping northeast and southwest. Soils here are fairly acidic, comprised of gravelly clay subsoil over fractured sandstone. This well-drained, low pH earth encourages the development of small clusters, giving us a high juice to skin ratio that is ideal for making bold, concentrated reds. An excellent site for our single vineyard designated program, the first vintage of Rockaway Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was the 2005 vintage (released in 2008).

Rodney Strong Vineyards was the first to release a Chardonnay with “Chalk Hill” on the label. Chalk Hill was named for its reflective white soils. The result of ash deposits from an ancient volcanic eruption, soils are shallow, fast draining and slightly acidic. Vines are naturally low-yielding, producing intensely flavored wines with a distinct “petrichor” character – a word that refers to the scent of rain on dry earth.

Located in the southern end of Chalk Hill, Chalk Hill Pleasant was purchased in 2014 for its ideal location set on a hillside. The soils here are fairly well-drained, rocky loam with a moderately acidic subsoil. The site also has a fairly gentle slope from east to west that makes it slightly warmer than the surrounding area, and helps with cold air drainage.

When Rod Strong acquired this Russian River Valley property in 1968, it was a prune-plum orchard. He replaced the trees with a winery and a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyard.

When Rod Strong acquired this Russian River Valley property in 1968, it was a prune-plum orchard. He replaced the trees with a winery and a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyard. Warm air rising in the interior valleys of north Sonoma County pulls cool ocean air and fog deep into the Russian River Valley, helping to naturally balance acidity.

Cooley Ranch is located in rugged northwestern Sonoma County. Ranging in elevation from 800–2000 feet, the vineyard is mostly planted on volcanic soils that are rare in this part of the world, but ideal for growing Bordeaux varietals. Bald eagles and prize bucks are a common sight at this remote property.