Dutton-Goldfield Stands Out in International Wine Report's Sonoma County Review
Nine wines rated 93-94 points, including top scores for Azaya Ranch, Redwood Ridge, Devil's Gulch, and Rued Vineyard
When respected wine writer Jeremy Young set out to evaluate Sonoma County's exceptional 2023 and 2024 vintages, he tasted more than 400 wines from across the county as part of his comprehensive report, "Sonoma County: The 2023 and 2024 Vintages, From Fog to Finish."
The resulting article paints a compelling picture of two remarkable back-to-back vintages. After years of drought and challenging growing conditions, Sonoma growers benefited from replenished groundwater, balanced growing seasons, and the kind of extended hang time that winemakers dream about.
We're honored that several Dutton-Goldfield wines were highlighted among the report's highest-rated bottlings.
Our Top-Rated Wines
94 Points
2023 Rued Vineyard Chardonnay
2023 Azaya Ranch Pinot Noir
2023 Redwood Ridge Pinot Noir
2023 Devil's Gulch Pinot Noir
93 Points
2023 Morelli Lane Vineyard Zinfandel
2023 Walker Hill Vineyard Chardonnay
2023 Five Wells Vineyard Pinot Noir
92 Points
2024 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
2024 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
For a winery focused on small-lot, vineyard-designate wines, it's especially gratifying to see recognition spread across such a diverse collection of sites, from the cool coastal influence of Devil's Gulch and Redwood Ridge to the wind-swept Petaluma Gap character of Azaya Ranch, and the classic Russian River Valley expression found in Rued, Walker Hill, and Morelli Lane.
Why These Vintages Matter
In his report, Young describes 2023 as a vintage defined by patience.
A cool growing season, abundant winter rainfall, and extended hang time allowed grapes to develop remarkable flavor complexity while retaining freshness and natural acidity. For Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in particular, he notes that the vintage produced wines with precision, aromatic lift, and exceptional balance.
The 2024 vintage offered a different personality.
After another wet winter replenished vineyard soils, Sonoma experienced a smooth, consistent growing season that delivered wines with generous fruit, excellent concentration, and impressive balance. Young describes 2024 as a "crowd-pleasing" vintage, combining ripeness and approachability without sacrificing structure.
For Russian River Valley Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, he concludes that both vintages are outstanding:
"2023 leans precise, 2024 leans plush."
That assessment perfectly captures what we love about these two years.
Vineyard Character Shines Through
One of the most rewarding aspects of the report is its emphasis on site expression.
Young notes that 2023 may be one of the finest Chardonnay vintages Sonoma has seen for showcasing differences between individual vineyard sites. That's a philosophy that has guided Dutton-Goldfield from the beginning.
Whether it's:
The bright citrus and mineral tension of Rued Vineyard Chardonnay
The hillside intensity of Redwood Ridge Pinot Noir
The coastal wildness of Devil's Gulch
The red-fruited energy of Five Wells Vineyard Pinot Noir
Or the savory complexity of Azaya Ranch Pinot Noir
our goal is always the same: let each vineyard tell its own story.
A Bright Spot for Sonoma County
The report also serves as a reminder that despite well-documented industry challenges, Sonoma County continues to produce some of the most compelling wines in California.
Young highlights Sonoma's strengths: family-owned wineries, diverse growing regions, authentic stories, and wines that deliver exceptional value and sense of place.
Those qualities are exactly why we're proud to call Sonoma County home.
Most importantly, he concludes that the quality of the wines being produced today is among the best in recent memory.
We couldn't agree more.
Explore the Wines
Several of these highly-rated wines are currently available through our tasting room and online shop, but you will only find our newly released 2024 Russian River Valley Chardonnay, 2024 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir at restaurants and other retailers across the country.
Two exceptional vintages. Ten highly-rated wines. One remarkable place.
