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| Our Vineyards |
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At Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery, we are proud to work with grape growers that observe the same viticultural
methodologies and practices that we implement in our own vineyards.
Canopy management, vine nutrition, natural pest control, sustainable winegrowing, careful clonal and rootstock selection and
deficit irrigation are all vital components in growing high
quality grapes. Many of our prized vineyard blocks are "Old Vines" that were planted 30-110 years ago, tended
by the second, third and even fourth generations of the original
owners.
Sonoma County is segmented into twelve sub-appellations, each with unique topography and weather. We source fruit from seven of the sub-appellations. Listed below are
brief descriptions of the unique growing regions and descriptions
of the vineyards within those sub-appellations that we use today.
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Sonoma
Valley
Located at the southern tip of Sonoma County, the Sonoma Valley
appellation encompasses the town of Sonoma, runs north along
Highway 12 through the Valley of the Moon -- flanked by the
Mayacamas mountain range on the east and Sonoma Mountain on
the west - and ends southeast of Santa Rosa. Fog and breezes
from San Pablo Bay cool the lower end of the valley and Pacific
Coast influences cool the north end of the Valley. The middle
of the Valley is the warmest area.
The region's climate and mostly volcanic, well-drained soils
create an ideal environment for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,
Zinfandel, Barbera and  Mourvedre grapes. Cool climate varietals
such as Pinot Noir, Merlot and Chardonnay do well in the southerly
vineyards bordering on Carneros, while Zinfandel flourishes
on the arid, rocky slopes of the Mayacamas.
Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery is located within the Sonoma Valley
sub-appellation along with several of our most prized vineyards.
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Carneros
Several of our most prized Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyards are located in this historic region. We are fortunate to have Estate vineyards planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah, with plans to further expand the plantings throughout the next decade. Grapes have been grown in Los Carneros (commonly known as Carneros, which is Spanish for  sheep or "the rams") since the second half of the 19th century, and although modern plantings did not take root until after World War II, it is considered one of California’s oldest wine districts. Agoston Haraszthy planted grapes in Carneros before 1870, undeterred by the persistent fog and vine-rattling winds. Originally a sub-appellation of Napa Valley, Carneros officially became an independent viticultural area in 1983. It spans the southern boundaries of both Napa and Sonoma counties (although the larger part of the appellation lies within Sonoma County), sprawls across the last, low hills of the Mayacamas Mountain Range and slips beneath the San Francisco Bay at the north end of San Pablo Bay. This region is particularly unique due to the coastal influences and the low, rolling hills of shallow soils that vary from thick clay to chalky and  rocky alluvial deposits. Carneros benefits from the Bay’s cooling effects and the fog that the hotter inland areas draw over the land. The climate is ranked Region I, which is the coolest climate ranking; Carneros’ climate is similar to that of Burgundy and Beaujolais, which is why the region is known best for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. When compared to other Californian appellations, Chardonnays from Carneros tend to have more aging potential, and Carneros Pinot Noirs are renowned for their opulence. Without the aesthetic charm of the valleys to the north, this desolate, windswept area's claim to fame is the quality of the wines it produces. We produce both a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from growers active in the Carneros Quality Alliance.
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Russian River Valley
This 150-square-mile appellation grows a number of grape varieties but it is the cool-climate-loving Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that make the biggest mark here. The Russian River Valley, which encompasses the Green Valley and Chalk Hill sub-appellations, has cool, foggy mornings and warm afternoons during the growing season, which favors early-ripeners like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Due to the cool conditions, these varieties mature slowly, which concentrates the character of the fruit without losing its natural acidity. The result is wines of great depth and balance.
 One of our primary growers in the Russian River Valley is the Dutton Family, owners of the large Dutton Ranch vineyards. The ranch is not one contiguous vineyard but rather some 50 separate blocks, most of them in Green Valley in the southwestern corner of the Russian River Valley -the coolest sub-appellation in Sonoma County. The Duttons' own, lease or manage approximately 1,000 acres, and while the soils and microclimates vary, grape quality is uniformly high due to the overall growing conditions and the Duttons' expertise. The ranch employs "sustainable, minimum-input" farming techniques that show responsible stewardship of the land and improve wine quality. They also pioneered the introduction of Dijon clones to Sonoma County vineyards.
The Sebastiani family has maintained a warm relationship with the Duttons over the years and the grapes have long been a vital part of the winemaking program. Dutton Ranch fruit is the foundation for the Appellation Selection Russian River Valley and Sonoma County Chardonnays. Sebastiani's Russian River Valley Pinot is comprised of Dutton Ranch fruit.
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Alexander Valley
This is the longest and most homogeneous viticultural area in
Sonoma County. Located in northern Sonoma County, this appellation
borders the Russian River from just east of Healdsburg and  extends
north to Cloverdale. It is comprised of rocky hillsides, valleys,
riverbeds and benchlands. The Alexander Valley is one of the
warmer areas of Sonoma County, as fog is not as prevalent there;
the low hills just northeast of Healdsburg shelter the area
from the ocean influences. It is considered a Region III climate,
which is a warmer climate similar to that of France’s
Rhone region. Because of the climatic conditions and rich, gravelly
loam soils, the vines are vigorous with large leaf canopies.
Canopy management techniques such as leaf pulling and shoot
thinning are used to direct all of the energy and vigor of the
growing vine toward the fruit. Alexander Valley is renowned
for the voluptuousness of its wines. Both Cabernet and Merlot
from this region feature ripe berry and fruit flavors, and a
full body. The warm day and cool night temperatures coupled
with the heavily graveled and sandy loam soils that characterize
this region produce Cabernets with lush, black cherry fruit
and earthy, terroir flavors. Alexander Valley Cabernets are
known for their soft and fluid tannins, which make them more
approachable in youth yet still capable of longevity. The alluvial
soils also contribute a distinctive almost chocolaty richness
to Cabernets grown in this region. Alexander Valley Merlots
are often characterized by plum and currant flavors. We produce
both appellation selection Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from
the Alexander Valley.
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