Our vineyards were planted in 2000 with the 5 Bordeaux varietals, the traditional varietals grown in western France. There are 13.5 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 2 acres of Merlot, and 1 acre each of Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot, making our 18.5 total mountain acres. They reside between 1600 and 1800 feet on the west side of Spring Mountain in the Mayacmas Range, in Sonoma County. All five varietals are known as red grapes, although Malbec and Petite Verdot are actually ‘black’ grapes varietals.

Our North Vineyards are 12 acres and are nestled between 1600 and 1700 feet in elevation. Our South Vineyards, nearly 7 acres, reside between 1700 and 1800 feet in elevation, the two divided by a ridge where our ‘Estate Home’ site is located.

Our vineyards, North and South, are independently deer fenced to 7’2”, to protect our vines from the abundant deer munching our grapes. These independent fences provide the wildlife in these mountains with a corridor between our vineyards, which allow them passage through our 60 acres and provides them access to streams.

Families of deer are our regular visitors. On occasion we’ll spot a grey fox or raccoon. Our day is often interrupted with the call of a Golden Eagle or Red Tailed Hawk. Flocks of Turkey can often be seen strutting their feathers and Bobcats can be spotted with a sharp eye, for they are shy and prefer to remain unseen. The wildlife here is a part of the neighborhood.

A stroll behind the deer fencing and into the vineyards brings you onto the perimeter road surrounding each vineyard. This is the place for a peaceful walk or a jog to remember. Our North Vineyard is gently sloped for easy strolling and our South Vineyard has a ‘cardiac hill’, 900 feet in length, for those who wish to break a sweat. The top brings you to an unforgettable view above Sonoma County, and some 60 miles to the south, you’ll see Mt. Tam, just above the Golden Gate Bridge.

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While in the vineyards, you are likely to encounter our Lady Llamas, either grazing in the winter months when there are no grapes, or in one of their pastures during the growing season. They are eager to determine if you’ve brought carrots for their hand feeding. These gentle, slightly apprehensive creatures, are similar in disposition to a horse mixed with a little Labrador, and their curiosity is famous. They are happy you are here.

We offer tours through our vineyards to those who have an interest. They may be as limited, or extensive, as your interest in grapes or wine determines. Should you schedule a tour upon your arrival, we are confident that visits you make to other wineries will be greatly enhanced with the information you gain here. We are proud of our accomplishments here and we’ve often been told that our tour is the finest in the premium wine country. Set aside a couple of hours and decide for yourself!

www.sthelenardwinery.com has additional, detailed, ‘Vineyard’ farming information