Dear Friend,

The 2011 harvest is finally over and thank goodness – it was certainly an exciting roller coaster ride. The weather was inconsistent to say the least but that won’t stop us from producing another outstanding vintage of fine wines. Our vineyard crew was especially instrumental in ensuring that the vines were well cared for during all the crazy weather. The grapes looked incredible coming into the winery and our initial reaction is that this could be a blockbuster year for Zinfandel. Stay tuned on that front!

How time flies! In 2012, our family winery will celebrate 40 years of grape growing and winemaking in the Dry Creek Valley. For our founder Dave Stare, it seems like only yesterday that he was a young maverick transplant from Boston with a vision to start his own Loire Valley chateau in Sonoma County. Dave broke a lot of “rules” back then pursuing his dream and thankfully he did! 

We are excited about the upcoming year and look forward to sharing our celebratory plans.

Stay tuned!

On Saturday, November 5, 2011, at Mary Agatha Furth Center in Windsor, California winery President Don Wallace was presented with a Leadership in Sustainability Award through the Leadership Institute for Ecology and the Economy.

For more than 20 years, Don has been actively involved in sustainable agriculture in Sonoma County. First suggesting sustainable grape growing to the Wine Institute of California, Don's early adoption of concepts such as cover crops, soil mapping, water emitters and creating a symbiotic, healthy environment for the vineyard, have made him a leader among sustainable grape growers in the wine industry.

All of us at the winery are proud of Don for his commitment to the environment and sustainable grape growing. With Don's leadership in place, our family owned winery is assured of leaving a small carbon foot print and the land in better shape for a third generation of ownership.

Dry Creek Vineyard has embraced the sport of sailing for decades. From our nautical themed labels to our support of numerous regattas and sailing related events, our family winery is known as the wine for sailors.

In 2012 and 2013, the premier race in the sport of sailing will be held in the San Francisco Bay. The America’s Cup is the NASCAR version of the Daytona 500, with the exception being the race is held only once every four years. In anticipation of America’s Cup activities and building up to the race, we are contemplating a number of different ways to involve the winery. As we know more, be sure to look for information about how Dry Creek Vineyard will be involved at the America’s Cup.