Vineyards
At Dashe, we are committed to partnering with some of the finest small growers in Sonoma and Mendocino counties and beyond. We focus on crafting wines with a distinctive sense of place and look for that perfect balance of steep hillside vineyards, older vines, and vigor-reducing growing conditions. With almost two decades partnering with many of our growers, we work together to limit yields and reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals in the vineyards. In addition, all harvesting decisions are made by Michael Dashe.
Louvau Vineyard - Dry Creek Valley
When John Louvau bought this Dry Creek property in the late 1980s, he believed it would be an ideal site for growing grapes. Apparently, he wasn’t the first to think so. Under a sea of weeds and wild raspberry bushes, John discovered a block of 90-year-old Zinfandel vines hidden among the bramble. Surviving by growing deep roots to find the underground water table, these vines are among the most magnificent old Zinfandel vines we have ever seen. Although John Louvau sadly passed away in 2016, his wife Linda Emmanuel has continued Louvau Vineyard’s commitment to the highest standards of quality.
Florence Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
Planted in 2002 and farmed by legendary grower Jack Florence, the vines on this former riverbed were grown from cuttings of the famous St. Peter’s Church clone, taken from Jack’s renowned Rockpile Ranch. Though still relatively youthful, these vines produce vibrant fruit with intense floral aromatics that create wines with aromas that can linger for days. Although Jack retired in 2016, his techniques and vineyard workers are still in place, producing the same high-quality grapes as were grown previous to his retirement.
Lily Hill Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
Owned and operated by Scott and Lynn Adams, Bella Vineyards is located at elevations of 800-1,000 feet at the top of a ridge overlooking northern Dry Creek Valley. The vineyard was planted almost two decades ago with the 112-year-old Big River Zinfandel clone and the coveted St Peter’s Church clone. Because of the steep hillside, the vines are forced to struggle, keeping yields naturally low. And thanks to the cooler conditions at this high elevation, the grapes enjoy extended hang time and produce excellent acidity.
Todd Brothers Ranch, Alexander Valley
Planted in 1958, the Todd Brothers Ranch produces some of the finest zinfandel grapes in Sonoma County. Approaching their 60s, these distinguished vines grow in bright red volcanic soil on steep hillsides. The head-trained vines undergo extensive canopy management and leaf pruning to produce yields of less than three tons per acre. The Zinfandel fruit from the Todd Brothers Ranch is incredibly complex, showing intensity and layers that, at times, are Cabernet Sauvignon-like in their stature.
McFadden Farm, Potter Valley
After years of searching for the ideal site for our Riesling, we finally found what we were looking for at Guinness McFadden’s ranch high up in the mountains of Potter Valley in Mendocino. This organic-certified vineyard sits in a distinct micro-climate with moderately warm days and cool nights, allowing the fruit to ripen slowly and to develop complex flavors
Heart Arrow Ranch, Eagle Peak Mendocino County
Spanning over 1,000 acres in Mendocino County, the Heart Arrow Ranch is a certified biodynamic and organic farm in Eagle Peak, one of California’s newest designated American viticultural areas. Vineyards are nestled among olive groves and vegetable gardens, and are fertilized by the cows, pigs, chickens, and sheep that roam the land.
Evangelho Vineyard, Contra Costa County
Planted in 1890 on an ancient sandbar, the Evangelho Vineyard sits at the crossroads of where the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers intersect with the waters of the San Francisco Bay. The sandy, dry-farmed vineyard is home to some of our favorite gnarled vines that are head trained and on their original rootstock. Defying the odds, the Carignane in the vineyard has survived blights of disease, age, and encroaching developments, while still offering deep, luscious fruit.
Bedrock Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
A beautiful historic vineyard from which Dashe Cellars crafts a blended wine of Mourvedre, Carignane, and Zinfandel, that we simply call “Ancient Vines.” Founded in 1854 by Generals William “Tecumseh” Sherman and General “Fightin’ Joe” Hooker, Bedrock Vineyard has grown grapes for over 150 years. Following the first epidemic of phylloxera in the mid-1880s, the vineyard was replanted in 1888 by Senator George Hearst—a mining magnate, an early father of California, and the father of publisher William Randolph Hearst. It is from these vines that we make our Ancient Vines bottling.
Heringer Vineyard, Clarksburg
One of the most recent vineyards from which we source fruit, this produces some of the most interesting mix of varietals we make at Dashe Cellars. Currently, we make Chenin Blanc, Barbera (from which we make Dry Rose), Grenache, Tannat, Teraldego, and Cabernet Franc from this unusual vineyard in the Sacramento River Delta. The vineyard is in Clarksburg California, growing out of the rocky farmland of the Delta and cooled by the breezes that come from the ocean up the San Joaquin river. The land has been farmed for 4 generations by the Heringer family; currently the land is farmed by Steve and Mike Heringer.
West Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley
An excellent old-vine vineyard primarily of Zinfandel with a bit of Petite Sirah. Planted and farmed by the talented mechanical engineer Tom West, these vines consistently provide some of the darkest and most stylish zinfandels in the Dry Creek Valley. Located quite close to the town of Healdsburg, on some steep hillsides just north of the city, the West vineyard has provided fruit for some of our best zinfandels since 2006.