Posted
by Adam Morganstern
on Mar 18, 2008
in Mendocino
Ceago Vinegarden is owned by Jim Fetzer, former President of Fetzer Vineyards. Jim grew up with his ten brothers and sisters in the vineyards of Mendocino County. The Fetzers built their family business into an internationally recognized and respected winery. The family started on the “home ranch” (now “Kathleen’s Vineyard”) producing just a few dozen cases. When the family sold the winery in 1992, Fetzer Vineyards was producing two and a half million cases of wine annually. The Fetzer family led the wine industry in United Sates in organic farming and ecological business practices. In 1993, Jim Fetzer established Ceago Vinegarden at the McNab Ranch in Mendocino County. At Ceago, Jim has integrated that experience with all his learning, from his father and from his own forty years of grape growing and wine making, to take California winegrowing to a new level. Jim teamed up with Alan York to convert Ceago Vinegarden over to Biodynamic Farming techniques and became certified by Demeter in 1995. Ceago Vinegarden has recently established a new Biodynamic Farm in neighboring Lake County. With “Ceago Del Lago’s” diversity of plant, animal and lake front influence, it is a perfect farm to showcase and educate people on Biodynamic principles.
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Posted
by Adam Morganstern
on Mar 18, 2008
in Mendocino
Patti Fetzer Burke is producing wine from her Patianna Organic Vineyard, a 126-acre property nestled alongside the Russian River in Mendocino County. Patianna’s inspiration comes from the tenets of biodynamic farming and the traditions of the Fetzer family; exceptional quality in wine is achieved because the land, the farmer and the winemaker operate in harmony. The flavor, structure and texture of Patianna’s wines reflect progressive farming techniques, practices based on a broad knowledge of and deep respect for the cycles of nature.Patianna approaches winegrowing through lessons learned from Patti’s father, Barney Fetzer, who often said, “Many footprints in the vineyard show that the vines are wellcared for.” At Patianna Organic Vineyards, the footprints belong to Patti, consulting winemaker Mike Lee, vineyard foreman Horacio Ortega and his field crew, abundant indigenous wildlife – and flocks of resident chickens patrolling for insect pests. Keen observation guides grape growing at Patianna, and farming constantly adjusts to the conditions of the vines, soil and seasons.Patianna’s inaugural release was a 2003 estate grown Sauvignon Blanc. Drawing on her vast experience and love of the business, Patti Fetzer Burke designed her label and package.
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Posted
by Adam Morganstern
on Mar 18, 2008
in Mendocino
After establishing 30 acres of premium wine grapes, Edward & Deborah Wallo released their first Yorkville Cellars wines in 1994. According to published records Yorkville Cellars is the most awarded California winery using certified organically grown grapes. It is also the only winery known to grow and produce all seven of the main Bordeaux grapes as varietals each vintage.All wines are made from certified grapes. Small amounts of sulfites are added to allow normal ageing.1986- 2006 – Celebrating 20 years of certified organic grapes (CCOF).
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