Dry Creek Valley Wine

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The Carneros AVA straddles between both Napa and Sonoma Valleys, with distinct climates. The Napa side is warmer, more suited to varietals such as Cabernet, Syrah and Merlot, while the Sonoma side is cooler, where Pinot Noir and Chardonnay can thrive.

The history of wine-making in Carneros dates back to the 1840s, when California was still under Mexican control and General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, who was also the Director of Colonization of the Northern Frontier, secured a land grant to settle and cultivate Rincon de los Carneros and surrounding territories. This section was managed by his son-in-law, Jacob P. Leese. Grape cultivation began with Leese and as the US gained control over California, more settlers became attracted to the fertile land in Sonoma and Napa Valleys and planted their own vineyards. By the 1870s, William H. Winter purchased 1,200 acres from Leese and cultivated what became the area’s first commercial vineyard, Winter Winery.

In 1881, Winter Read more »

In 1881, Winter Winery was sold to James Simonton, who renamed it Talcoa Vineyards. By this time, the Phylloxera epidemic that devastated most of Europe had taken hold in California. Simonton, with aid from Missouri oenologist George Husmann, was the first to experiment in grafting Phylloxera-resistant rootstock. By the late 1880s, the Stanly Ranch winery in Carneros was winning awards at viticultural fairs.

The Prohibition halted most of the grape production in the region between 1920 to 1933. But soon after, wineries such as Beaulieu, Bouchaine and Louis M. Martini came into prominence, with others on their heels. By the 1940s, wine-makers were discovering that varietals such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay were well suited to the cool climate region on the Sonoma side, heralding the modern era of local wine-making in Carneros. ~Amanda Schuster

– Description from Amanda Schuster (hide)

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It’s not all about Zinfandel.

Zinfandel lovers unite in Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley. Eno-tourists are anxious to visit the area known to some as the Zinfandel grape’s spiritual home. But please, don’t come for the Zinfandel alone.

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Varietals Produced in Dry Creek Valley View all

Cabernet Sauvignon

“King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Caber...
Zinfandel

Parentage of the grape: Crljenak to Austria to America. In the 1970s, claims surfaced that the Italian Primitivo is l...
Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is widely grown in California -- at over 15,000 acres, it’s now the third most planted variety -- and...
Syrah

The irony here is that Syrah’s origins could give Carmen Sandiego a run for her international wallet. Syrah’s deepest...
Chardonnay

British wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson, once noted that throughout the 80’s and 90’s in the United States, C...
Merlot

The Occitanian word “merlot” translates to “young blackbird.” An accurate description for this popular, early-budding...

Popular Wineries in Dry Creek Valley View all

Wine Guerrilla

Wine Guerrilla is a hero to those who seek wines of unabashed uniqueness and character. Wherever...
Terlato Family Vineyards

After 50 years in the wine industry, wine is still an inspiration for me. Every vintage brings an...
Thumbprint Cellars

Hand-crafted, small lot, micro-wines are created using the highest quality grapes from Sonoma Cou...
Forchini Vineyards and Winery

Forchini Vineyards & Winery has been growing premium wine grapes in Sonoma County since 1971. Th...
Mauritson Family Winery

With over 270 acres of estate vineyards and close relationships with longtime growers throughout ...
Optima Winery

Optima began as a dream producing just 400 cases in 1984,now, the winery is continuing their trad...

People getting updates on Dry Creek Valley Wines

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Dry Creek Valley on Snooth

September 2008

Mccray Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Creek Valley 2001

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by monkeylush
September 2008

Unti Vineyards Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 2006

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by paulc
September 2008

Unti Vineyards Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 2005

Snoothrank:

Huge forward fruit and Dry Creek dust. A fantastic wine for red meat. Read More

Wine review by Derek67
September 2008

Wilson Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Creek Valley Reserve Sydney Vineyard 1994

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Jestex
September 2008

Ravenswood Zinfandel Teldeschi 2006

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by jnagro
September 2008

Dry Creek Vineyard Chenin Blanc Clarksburg Dry Chenin Blanc 2007

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by WildmanDan
September 2008

Forchini Vineyards & Winery Papa Nonno Tuscan Style Red Sonoma County-Dry Creek Valley Estate 2006

Snoothrank:

A no-nonsense blended red (zin, cab and carignane) that is always fantastic and shows true Dry Creek character with dust and spice. The dark fruit is secondary. Read More

Wine review by Derek67
September 2008

Frick Winery Cinsault Dry Creek Valley 2005

Snoothrank:

Dark fruits up front with a big tannin end Read More

Wine review by jkagel
September 2008

Mauritson Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 2005

Snoothrank:

Wonderful Cab. Everyone at the table really enjoyed it. Soft fruit flavors with just the right amount of tannin. Read More

Wine review by adamlevin
September 2008

Pernod Ricard Usa Jacobs Creek St Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Snoothrank:

I thought this was a wonderfully balanced wine--I liked all the fruit, and I felt like the acid rounded out the palate. Read More

Wine review by matthewj

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