Quivira Vineyards & Winery is an estate winery in the Dry Creek Valley AVA in Sonoma County within the North Coast AVA of California.
Owner: The Kight family.
Background: In the 16th to 18th centuries, the area of what is now Sonoma County appeared on European maps as a mythical kingdom called “Quivira” whose streets were said to be paved with gold. Named in honor of this mythical realm, the small, family-owned Quivira Vineyards & Winery was founded in 1981 by Holly and Henry Wendt. Decades later, in the spring of 2006, Pete and Terri Kight purchased the winery from the Wendts, shaking hands on the purchase after just the second meeting.
History: 1980: Founded by Henry & Holly Wendt (check date)
Staff (Henry & Holly Wendt): Winemaker & General Manager: Grady Wann. Vineyard Manager: Tony Castellanos. In house oenologist: Matt Michael. Biodynamics: Alan York. Staff (Kights): The Kights installed Steven Canter (who trained in Italy, South Africa and Australia) as Quivira’s winemaker. They went on to make significant changes to the winery and the existing vineyards, all with a focus on making world-class wine. Canter began managing the vineyards by the plant and block rather than by the acre, tripling plant density. He moved some blocks from cordon trellising to more labor intensive head training for the vines, and he reoriented the vineyard crew to farm for maximum quality rather than quantity. Quivira also acquired additional high elevation vineyards and a 100-year-old Zinfandel vineyard in Dry Creek. In 2010, Hugh Chappelle joined Quivira as head winemaker.
Biodynamic Certification: 2005: The 64 acre home estate vineyard was Demeter certified biodynamic and Stellar NOP organic certified on November 15, 2005. This includes the Fig Tree Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc and the Wine Creek Ranch, which is the source of the WCR Zinfandel, Mourvedre Rose and Steelhead Red Rhone blend. 2009: Demeter USA
Terroir: The property sits in the heart of Dry Creek Valley at the confluence of Wine Creek and Dry Creek that are natural steelhead and salmon spawning streams.
Vineyards: The Quivira estate comprises four distinct vineyards within the Dry Creek AVA which is located just to the north of the Russian River AVA in Sonoma County. The estate has a total of just under 93 acres of vines. Sauvignon Blanc is planted at the bottom of the bench on the west side of Dry Creek Valley. Zinfandel is planted at the top of the bench on the west side of Dry Creek Valley In addition to Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc, Quivira grows several Rhone varieties such as Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. Winemaker Hugh Chappelle introduced the Counoise and Montepulciano varieties, which he believes will thrive in the Dry Creek Valley.
Anderson Ranch: 1650 Lytton Springs Rd., Healdsburg, CA 95448. This Ridge top site has wonderful exposure with gravely clay loam soil. There is a small lake at the center of the ranch, a former kiwi fruit orchard. This ranch is considered estate, it is 100% Demeter certified organic biodynamic, and is under a long term lease from the Anderson Family. Dry Creek Appellation.
Goat Trek Ranch: 10377 Chemise Ridge Rd., Healdsburg, CA 95448. Purchased by Quivira in 2007, the Chemise Goat Trek Ranch is a site we feel has a great deal of potential. At approximately 1200 ft. above sea level this ridge top site is off the grid deep, in North West Sonoma County. This estate vineyard is organic and Biodynamically certified. Dry Creek Appellation.
Katz/Absher Ranch: 930 Maybee Lane Healdsburg, CA 95448. Owned by the Katz/Absher Family and sustainably farmed by Stan Chavez, this site is located in the in the Lytton Creek watershed of the Dry Creek Valley AVA. The more than 100 year old pre prohibition vines on this site are dry farmed and grow in a former creek bed featuring deep soil composed of sandy clay loam. The Katz/Absher Ranch is under long term contract to Quivira.
Wine Creek Ranch: 4900 West Dry Creek Rd., Healdsburg, CA 95448. Wine creek ranch is 100% Demeter Certified Organic Biodynamic. All Zinfandel is grown on hillside sites which are principally Dibble Clay Loam and Clough Gravelly Loam. All the valley floor sites are a mix of clay and loam. This ranch is bisected by Wine Creek and bordered on the North by Dry Creek. (Please note that there is no Block #7).
Biodynamics: 2005 The estate’s 64 acre home estate vineyard was Demeter certified biodynamic and Stellar NOP organic certified on November 15, 2005. This included the Fig Tree Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc and the Wine Creek Ranch, which is the source of the Wine Creek Ranch Zinfandel, Mourvedre Rose and Steelhead Red Rhone blend.
Biodynamic certification: 2009 Certified Biodynamic by Demeter USA.
Biodiversity: Quivira’s garden grows plants used to make the Biodynamic preparations on site. Animals produce nutrient rich manure. The owners restored Wine Creek which is now a healthy spawning locale for Steelhead and Coho. Biodynamic garden open for guests to enjoy which includes beehives and chickens.
Winery: Solar-powered winery. A 55kW solar electric system, projected to supply 100% of the estate’s electrical needs, has been installed by Synergy Electrial Energy Systems. Called a grid intertie system, it runs in parallel with the electric utility. Unused solar power is exported to the utility who pay for it with credits. On high energy use days, or when the sun is not shining, those credits can be used by the estate when importing electricity.
White wines
Sauvignon Blanc: Dry Creek is known for its Sauvignon Blanc. Staggered picking. Slightly grassy, tempered here by a little oak.
Red wines
Grenache:
Dry Creek Cuvée:
Petite Sirah:
Syrah:
Zinfandel Wine Creek Ranch:
Zinfandel Anderson Ranch:
Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley:
Zinfandel Dieden Vineyard:
Contact
Quivira Vineyards & Winery
4900 West Dry Creek Road
CA 95448 Healdsburg, California
Website: www.quivirawine.com
Bibliography
Telephone conversation with Alan York on Thursday afternoon 16th October 2003.