At Thomas George Estates, we produce estate-grown wines exclusively from our three distinct Russian River Valley vineyards, with a focus on Single Vineyard and Single Block wines that reflect the unique microclimates and terroir of each site. All of our wines are crafted in small lots, often just a few dozen to a few hundred cases, ensuring the highest attention to quality and detail. Our vineyards are Sonoma County Sustainable Certified, reflecting our commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible farming.
A Mosaic of Microclimates and Complexity
Acquired in 2008 from Davis Bynum, Baker Ridge Vineyard occupies a prime location on a ridgeline within the Middle Reach region of the Russian River Valley AVA, offering panoramic views of the Russian River and Mount St. Helena. This 40-acre site benefits from five distinct soil types and varying elevations, creating a range of micro-climates that influence the vineyard’s diverse produce.
The vineyard is planted with 16.5 acres of Pinot Noir, 3.5 acres of Chardonnay, along with smaller plots of 1 acre of Grenache Noir and 0.5 acres of Viognier. Although the original vines were planted in 1976, the vineyard has undergone significant replanting and redevelopment to optimize grape quality.
Elevated above renowned neighboring vineyards like Williams Selyem, Rochioli, and Flax, Baker Ridge is ideally positioned 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean, where coastal fog deeply influences the grapevines, providing unique flavor profiles and enhancing the complexity of the wines.
The vineyard’s soil ranges from rocky and sandy loam to silty clay, all providing excellent drainage and reducing vine vigor, which is less common on the valley floor. This setup divides the vineyard into 17 specific blocks, including 13 for Pinot Noir with seven different clones, contributing to the exceptional complexity and quality of the grapes harvested from Baker Ridge Vineyard.
A Coastal Terroir of Excellence
Nestled in the Green Valley sub-appellation of the Russian River Valley AVA, Cresta Ridge Vineyard was established in 1999 by Gary Farrell. Comprising 10 acres of Pinot Noir and four acres of Chardonnay, it sits on a gentle west-facing slope characterized by Goldridge fine sandy loam soil, unique to the Sebastopol/Forestville hills. This soil, a composition of decomposed granite from ancient ocean floors, imparts soft tannins to the wines.
Green Valley is the coolest area in the Russian River Valley appellation, with Cresta Ridge being the most coastal of our vineyards, located just 12.5 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The prevalent coastal fog significantly influences the vineyard, infusing the grapes with briar, herbal, and vegetal notes while allowing for ample sunlight due to the vineyard’s westward orientation. This is crucial for developing full flavors during the extended ripening period.
The vineyard’s soil, a fine sand once part of an ancient seabed, provides excellent drainage and minimal nutrients, which curbs vine vigor and promotes the growth of small, concentrated berries. These conditions are ideal for cultivating exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, making the fruit from Cresta Ridge some of the most sought after in the region.
The vineyard is meticulously divided into three blocks of Pinot Noir and two of Chardonnay, each contributing to the distinctiveness of its wines.
A Century of Winemaking in Chalk Hill
Situated off Old Redwood Highway in Windsor, Sons & Daughters Ranch Vineyard lies within the Chalk Hill sub-appellation of the Russian River Valley AVA. The vineyard’s name reflects the unique volcanic ash soil, mistakenly thought to be chalk, that defines this area. This slightly warmer region benefits from breezes that temper the climate, with less of the cool fog typical to the valley.
Only 30 miles from the Pacific, its valley floor setting ensures even ripening across the vineyard. Featuring classic alluvial soils comprised of dry, silty, loamy sand and gravel akin to a dried riverbed, the vineyard adopts the traditional California sprawl technique. This method allows dappled sunlight to protect the fruit from direct exposure, fostering a natural balance within the vines.
Sons & Daughters Ranch spans 24 acres of Chardonnay, 6 acres of a Cabernet blend, and includes historic vines such as 2.5 acres of Zinfandel planted in 1885. Additionally, it houses 1.5 acres each of Grenache Noir, Viognier, and Grenache Blanc, 3 acres of a Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blend, and 1.6 acres of Albariño. This diverse plantation has contributed to over 130 years of distinguished wine production, upholding the legacy of the Russian River Valley.
Discover the most celebrated wines from Thomas George Estates in our Best Sellers Collection. Featuring award-winning Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel, these handpicked selections showcase the finest expressions of our Russian River Valley estate vineyards.
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