Family Farm Vineyard
Family Farm Vineyard is the result of special partnership between neighbors. Realizing the potential of its loamy clay soil and eastern aspect, in 2002 the Sletten, Martin, Sullivan and Harvey families decided to convert this former Christmas tree farm into a vineyard. The weather is very similar to our Home Vineyard, while the alluvial sand and clay soils are unique. Like many of the vineyards in Burgundy, the Eastern aspect shelters the vines from the warmer afternoon sun, allowing the grapes to retain freshness and an aromatic dimension. The climate, sandy clay loam soils and aspect remind us of some of the wonderful vineyards of the Russian River. Family Farm wines are powerful yet elegant with red and black fruit, and a distinctive Burgundian loamy earthiness that becomes more pronounced with age.
In 2007, the partners of Family Farm Vineyard decided to undertake the expensive task of regrafting some of the original Dijon clones to lower yielding “Suitcase” clones of superior quality. This has limited early availability but the vineyard will return to full production in 2008.
Elevation: 400'
Soil: Alluvial Clay Loam
Geology: Decomposed Butano Sandstone
Clones: 115, Pommard, Swan and 8 different “Suitcase” clones