DaVero Farms & Winery is a Biodynamic estate (Demeter-certified) located in the Dry Creek Valley AVA of Sonoma County in the North Coast of California. DaVero was founded in the late 1980s after Ridgely Evers (software) and Colleen McGlynn (chef) planting cuttings from 800-year-old olive trees from Tuscany. Wine grapes followed.

Staff: Evan LaNouette (Winemaker).

Estate Vineyards: 2017 4.8 hectares (12 acres) of vines, plus olives (see below), on 31.2 hectares (77 acres) of land.

– Hawk Mountain Vineyard: The Hawk Mountain Vineyard is on the main farm, perched on a steep, northeastern-facing slope, which means that it gets early morning sun but is shielded from the hottest rays of the late afternoon. The soil is heavy clay. First planted in 2000 to Sangiovese (from which are made both a red and a rosé) on a combination of 3309 and 110R rootstock using a vertical trellis, with 8-foot rows and 4 feet between vines. In 2004 the owners began grafting a bit more than half the vineyard over to Sagrantino.

– Tasting Room Vineyard: This is by the Tasting Room property.

The Valley floor block: 16 acres of classic Dry Creek/Russian River: cooling fog blankets the ground until late morning, then burns off to yield hot afternoons and warm evenings. Farther up the hill, our original farm’s 51 acres are usually above the fog bank, with a fantastic, primarily eastern exposure that gives our land the first rays of sun, yet shields it during the burning late afternoon.

– Valladares Vineyard: This vineyard was acquired as of 2008. The owners say ‘we’ve been watching it for over 25 years because it’s right across the road from our driveway. When we bought it, we immediately named the vineyard after Juan Valladares, our farm manager, who has been with us since the very beginning, and is the backbone, heart, and soul of the farm. (We call him “The Magic Juan,” with good cause!). The vineyard is about 6 acres, planted to Chardonnay on a standard ‘T’ trellis at classic 9ft by 12ft spacing. Immediately adjacent to Dry Creek, the soil is alluvial — quite sandy, with a few pockets of clay. It has relatively low nutrient levels, and the roots dive quickly to the water table some 20 feet down. We’re also undertaking a slow, steady conversion to Biodynamic® farming practices (you can’t just flip it over), and restoring the riparian habitat that borders the property to the east and the south by removing non-native species. Over time, we will change out most of the Chardonnay for some more interesting and unusual varietals more in keeping with our Italian affections.’ This happens as the Valladares Vineyard is now planted with Barbera, Pinot Noir, and a red field blend of Sagrantino, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano. White Italian varieties include Pallagrello Bianco, Greco, Fiano, Moscato Bianco and Malvasia Bianca.

Biodynamic certification: 2009 Certified organic for the first time. | 2010 First vintage with full Demeter Biodynamic certification for the vineyards. | 2015 Demeter Certification.

Red wines

Barbera Estate: 2015 From Barbera on St George rootstock. 18 months in oak. 325 cases. Nice crunchy clear fruit (International Biodynamic Wine Conference 2018).

White wines

Moscato Estate, Late Harvest: 2015 Moscato Bianco. 200 cases. Slightly bitter finish (International Biodynamic Wine Conference 2018).

Other activities: 4 hectares (10 acres) of olive oil olives in 2018. Also Meyer lemons, oranges, tangerines, peaches, plums, apples, pears, blackberries, quince, figs, persimmons, pomegranates, lavender. Huge vegetable garden. Also pigs, and chickens for eggs.

Contact

DaVero Farms & Winery

766 Westside Road

Healdsburg, CA 95448, United States

Tel+001 707 431 8000 | Website www.davero.com