Inside the Vineyard with Wine Spectator's James Molesworth
Few people know America's great wine regions as well as James Molesworth, Senior Editor at Wine Spectator. During a recent visit to Dutton-Goldfield, he joined fifth-generation farmer Steve Dutton and Head Winemaker Melissa Stackhouse for a walk through vineyards that tell the story of our winery's past and future, including a stop at Dutton Ranch-Bodega Vineyard, a dramatic new West Sonoma Coast site perched nearly 800 feet above the Pacific Ocean. On a clear day, you can see Bodega Bay shimmering in the distance, while cool ocean winds and morning fog shape every vine below.
There, among rows of young Pinot Noir vines and sweeping coastal views, the conversation naturally moved beyond tasting notes to the deeper subjects of farming, stewardship, and the pursuit of wines that faithfully express where they're grown. The resulting feature explores the history of Dutton Ranch, Steve's lifelong connection to Sonoma County farming, Melissa's thoughtful approach to vineyard-driven winemaking, and the partnership shaping the next chapter of Dutton-Goldfield. It's a story about people, place, and the enduring belief that great wines begin long before the grapes reach the cellar.
The resulting feature is much more than a winery profile. It's a conversation about farming, stewardship, and the people behind the wines.
A Few Highlights
Steve Dutton's journey from helping on the family tractor as a child to becoming one of Sonoma County's most respected growers.
Melissa Stackhouse's path from large-scale production wineries back to the small-lot, terroir-driven wines that first inspired her career.
The evolution of Dutton-Goldfield as Steve and Melissa continue building on the winery's vineyard-first philosophy.
A first look at the promising new Dutton Ranch-Bodega Vineyard vineyard on the West Sonoma Coast.
Vineyard visits and conversations that reveal how farming decisions shape every bottle.
Looking to the Coast
One part of James Molesworth's visit that especially resonated with us was his time exploring Dutton Ranch-Bodega Vineyard, one of the newest vineyards in the Dutton Ranch portfolio and a site we're incredibly excited to introduce later this year.
Perched nearly 800 feet above Bodega Bay on the rugged West Sonoma Coast, Dutton Ranch-Bodega Vineyard is unlike any vineyard we've bottled before. Just six miles from the Pacific Ocean, the vineyard is shaped every day by coastal winds, persistent fog, and one of the longest growing seasons in Sonoma County.
Steve planted the vineyard primarily to Calera clone Pinot Noir (and a little bit of Swan), believing it was particularly well suited to this challenging coastal environment. The clone's naturally small berries, balanced yields, and savory character are already revealing why this site has generated so much excitement.
During his visit, Molesworth noted the site's promise, tasting a barrel sample of the 2025 vintage and describing a wine filled with crunchy strawberry and pomegranate fruit carried by mouthwatering acidity. For Melissa Stackhouse, the vineyard immediately speaks its own language.
"It's strawberry when you eat the fruit and stem together," she explained during the tasting, capturing both the bright fruit and the subtle savory edge that make wines from this coastline so distinctive.
A New Chapter for Dutton-Goldfield
Later this year, our members will be among the first to experience the inaugural 2024 Dutton Ranch-Bodega Vineyard Pinot Noir. Every great vineyard has a first chapter. For us, the 2024 vintage marks the beginning of what we believe will become one of the defining wines in the Dutton-Goldfield portfolio.
While every vineyard tells a different story, Dutton Ranch-Bodega Vineyard speaks with a distinctly coastal voice. Bright red fruit, wild herbs, black tea, lifted spice, and vibrant acidity come together in a style that's both elegant and untamed. It's the kind of Pinot Noir that invites another sip, revealing something new each time you return to the glass.
Melissa chose to include approximately fifteen percent whole-cluster fermentation, adding aromatic lift, savory spice, and an extra layer of complexity that complements the vineyard's naturally vibrant fruit and coastal character.
Wine lovers who appreciate the expressive coastal Pinot Noirs of Occidental, Littorai, RAEN, and Kistler will immediately recognize the remarkable landscape surrounding Dutton Ranch-Bodega Vineyard. Our goal is to offer a distinctly Dutton-Goldfield expression of this extraordinary stretch of the West Sonoma Coast, shaped by Steve's farming and Melissa's thoughtful approach to winemaking. For us, Dutton Ranch-Bodega Vineyard represents more than a new label on a bottle. It reflects our continued belief that the world's most memorable wines begin with remarkable places and the people who care for them. We can't wait to share its first chapter with you later this year.
The article also features tasting impressions of several current releases, including our 2023 Redwood Ridge Pinot Noir and 2023 Fox Den Vineyard Pinot Noir, both recognized for their distinctive expression of place.
Read the Full Story
We're grateful to James Molesworth and the entire Wine Spectator team for taking the time to experience our vineyards firsthand and share the story behind the wines.
Read the full Wine Spectator article here: https://www.winespectator.com/articles/catching-up-with-steve-dutton
