Our Vineyards

With our focus on the production of high-quality, world-class wines, producing wines with varietal characteristics and pleasing to the palette is our goal. Beginning with the highest quality of fruit is our foundation and we pride ourselves of paying special attention to this important stage of the winemaking process. Our wines stand out in taste and quality - boasting those very flavors distinctive to each varietal we produce - while remaining unique to La Czar.

Our vineyards are located in a handful of different Northern California growing regions within Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. Each American Viticultural Area (AVA) represents a uniquely different terroir, largely dictated by climate and soil type. The characteristics of the wines produced are greatly influenced by the AVA in which they are planted.

Pinot Noir
Our estate Pinot Noir vineyards are located in the heart of the Russian River Valley.

Just one ridge away from the Sonoma Coast, the Russian River Valley AVA is noted for it’s milder climate and well-drained, sandy-loam soils. On a typical day we get a gently hydrating, early morning fog swept in overnight from the Pacific Ocean. Late morning, as the rising sun slowly burns through, the valley warms up to ideal growing temperatures. A gentle ocean breeze travels up along the river in the evenings preventing too much heat on the vines, and cooling off the valley. The mild climate, paired with river-bottom soil, makes the Russian River AVA one of the few places in the world where high-quality Pinot Noir grapes can be grown.

Sauvignon Blanc
The fruit for our 2007 Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from vineyards within the Sonoma Mountain AVA. Sonoma Mountain is known for its east facing, steep hillside terrain.

Rocky folds amongst the hillsides are cause for a variety of microclimates and therefore home to several different grape varietals. With its eastern exposure, the Sonoma Mountain AVA enjoys the early morning sun, bringing warm growing temperatures throughout for varying lengths of time. The vineyard we source our Sauvignon Blanc grapes from is located within the Sonoma Mountain AVA where there is maximum sun exposure.

Chardonnay
Our 2006 Chardonnay is a classic Russian River Valley Chardonnay produced from fruit sourced from the Russian River Valley AVA. Chardonnay vines grown in this cooler region produce fruit which lends itself well to producing a finished wine in a more “Burgundian” style – for those who prefer a crisp, food friendly Chardonnay.

Our 2007 Chardonnays, one of which will be our Russian River Chardonnay, will include two others – a Manchester Ridge Chardonnay, from within the Mendocino Ridges AVA and a Sonoma Mountain AVA Chardonnay. The differences in the fruit from the different vineyard locations allow us to produce three Chardonnays, each in a distinctive style, and each of which is sure to please the palette.

Syrah
Our Syrah fruit comes from the Palindrome Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley. The Dry Creek Valley AVA is considerably warmer, reaching temperatures favored by the Rhone and Bordeaux varietals. The warmer temperatures allow for the fruit to fully ripen, allowing for a finished wine that tends to be more fruit forward while retaining great acidity.

As the soil types tend to vary a bit more throughout this AVA, (especially where the valley gives way to the surrounding hills,) grapes grown in this region also vary - integrating varying amounts of pepper and spice notes to the finished wines.

Zinfandel
Our Maple Vineyard Zinfandel, hand-crafted from grapes sourced from the highly reputable Maple Vineyard, located in the Dry Creek Valley AVA. The Maple Vineyards is home to old zinfandel clones which are interplanted with Petit Sirah and a bit of Carignane, Alicante-Bouchet and Cincault vines - a typical scenario for many of the older zinfandel vineyards in the Dry Creek Valley. When these vineyards were first planted long ago - some of them close to 100 years ago – a few other varietals were sprinkled in here and there to blend in with the Zinfandel – like a sprinkling of spice to enhance the flavor of the wine.

The old head-pruned vines, once a more common sight in both Sonoma and Napa Counties, are slowly disappearing. As the older vines yield less and less with age, the vineyards are re-planted and newer pruning techniques are employed. We, along with those of you who have the opportunity to taste this wine, are fortunate that Maple Vineyards old Zinfandel vines still exist and will continue to be farmed in this style for vintages to come.