Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Emerald Ridge Vineyard
Few endeavors in our craft are more satisfying than working with a vineyard as it matures and develops the character of its land. Our Emerald Ridge Vineyard exemplifies this process. Situated on an east facing ridge right in the middle of the Green Valley, and planted in perfect Gold Ridge sandy loam soil in 2001, Emerald Ridge truly came into its own with the spectacular 2009 vintage. While the fruit has been a part of our Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir for several vintages, we added this spectacular wine to our single-vineyard offerings starting with 2009. From our chosen clonal blocks we produce 3 separate lots each year: deep, dark, chewy wine from the mixed block of Pommard and 2A; strikingly focused and precise blackberry fruit-driven wine from the 667; and perfectly structured wine with wonderful juicy black cherry fruit from the 828. For the first vineyard designated release, we blended only our 6 favorite barrels (4 barrels of 828, 1 barrel of Pommard 2, and a barrel of 667) for our closest friends.
Wine from this Vineyard: Emerald Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir
Fox Den Vineyard
This is a vineyard that Dan and Steve planted together in 2002, and Dan has been crafting wine from since 2004. Owned and lovingly overseen by Ed and Sue Smith, the vineyard is located at their home atop Stoetz Ridge on the western edge of the Green Valley appellation. Here on the hill, it's a touch warmer than the bottom of the valley, but the low nitrogen sandy soil grows vines and ripens fruit slowly, and is always among the last pinots we harvest. It gives us wine of tremendous silkiness, bright raspberry fruit and perfect natural acidity-classic Green Valley. The eight acres is split into three clones: 667 for its vivid fruit, 777 for its chewy tannins and 115 for its brightness and floral aromatics.
Wine from this Vineyard: Fox Den Vineyard Pinot Noir
Green Valley Vineyard
When Steve Dutton told us in 2005 that he was going to bud 0.7 acres of the very cold Green Valley Vineyard from Pinot Noir to Gewürtraminer, we were thrilled. No varietal is more suited and less planted in the cold nooks of the Green Valley appellation than Gewürtraminer. This varietal shines when it ripens slowly to attain the enticing floral aromatics denoted by an even pink color at harvest. With its super thick skins, it easily weathers difficult times of heat and rain, but requires our long season to give us the ethereal aromatics and juicy freshness that we love in it. The Green Valley Vineyard, situated just along the cold east bank of Atascadero Creek, is a perfect site for this grape. This tiny block is just enough for us to make about 150 cases a year to share a special and unique offering with our best friends.
Wine from this Vineyard: Green Valley Vineyard Gewürtraminer
Rued Vineyard
Warren Dutton planted this Chardonnay vineyard on an east-facing hillside west of the town of Graton in 1969. The clone planted in the vineyard, which produces exceptionally exotic, highly identifiable fruit, has since been propagated across California and is now referred to as the "Rued Clone." This vineyard's old vines produce clusters with tiny golden translucent berries with incredibly enticing flavors, floral aromatics and tropical freshness.
Wine from this Vineyard: Rued Vineyard Chardonnay
Shop Block Vineyard
When Warren Dutton purchased his original ranch in 1964, French Colombard, Gray Riesling and Rome apples were planted at the site; in the mid-1970s, more French Colombard replaced the Riesling and apples. This is a wonderful spot for cold loving white grapes, situated in the valley of Purrington Creek, a tributary of Green Valley Creek. Here the cold coastal air lingers through the mornings and produces fruit of great acid balance and flavor concentration, while the deep but well drained Goldridge sandy loam soil grows healthy, balanced vines. When it was time to finally replant this block in 2003, the Duttons decided to try a bit of Pinot Blanc to augment the killer Chardonnay adjacent to this spot. Another native of Burgundy, and a white skinned cousin of Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc is prized for its fresh stone fruit flavors and cleansing mouthfeel. This vineyard is now completely dry farmed. As a special little treat to our best friends, DG is vinifying just a small amount of this mouthwateringly fresh Pinot Blanc.
Wine from this Vineyard: Shop Block Vineyard Pinot Blancay
Walker Hill Vineyard
Walker Hill Vineyard is an important component of our Dutton Ranch Chardonnay. The vineyard is more than 30 years old, planted to old Wente clone field selection vines. Located in the cold heart of Green Valley, the fruit provides the beautiful citrus backbone, spicy floral nose, and tropical and mineral overtones we love in our Chardonnay.
Wine from this Vineyard: Walker Hill Vineyard Chardonnay