DeLoach Vineyards

Brand Description

DeLoach Vineyards is the leading producer of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel from California with an emphasis on the Russian River Valley in the heart of Sonoma County. DeLoach's dedicated and enthusiastic team has over 45 years of experience experimenting with the perfect combination of soil, rootstock, and clones, resulting in a history of high-quality, eco-friendly wines. DeLoach follows traditional French winemaking techniques imbued with those of California to capture the spirit of French Heritage with California Roots, producing exceptional and award-winning wines that spotlight the personality of the Russian River Valley and California terroir.

DeLoach was founded by Cecil and Christine DeLoach in 1970 when they purchased 24 acres of Old Vine Zinfandel where the estate still stands today. Cecil was the first to plant Pinot Noir on the Olivet Bench in 1973 as he felt it would do well as an early-ripening variety in a cooler climate. After years of selling grapes, DeLoach Vineyards produced their first vintage in 1975, helping to establish the reputation of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel in the Russian River Valley. In 1983 Cecil and Christine DeLoach emerged as leaders of the Russian River Valley AVA movement and were among the first to use that designation on their labels.

In 2003, DeLoach Vineyards was purchased by Boisset Family Estates, which brought their sustainable winemaking experience from Burgundy, France, to California’s Russian River Valley and replanted DeLoach's estate vineyards with cover crops to revitalize the soil and focus the winery's expertise on small lot Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel wines.

Location of Vineyard

The Russian River Valley was originally purchased by Russian fur hunters from the Pomo Native American Tribe in 1812 in hopes of establishing a trade port. They first planted grapes in 1836 in what is today Graton, in the Russian River Valley Appellation. With climatic similarities to Burgundy, France, the Russian River Valley is considered a top region for producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The nearby Pacific Ocean sends on-shore breezes and fog to cool the vineyards, and brisk water creates a cooling effect that results in wines that range from structured to silky textures. The fog from the ocean cools the vineyards, allowing a longer growing season which develops the flavors and balances the acidity. The soil is a combination of fractured sandstone and sandy loam creating Goldridge soil which is ideal for cool climate grapes. The variety of soils fosters the diversity of wines throughout the valley.

DeLoach’s 17-acre estate is planted on Huichica soil. Huichica is another fine-loamy soil that thrives in a sub humid climate and is known for its ability to produce high-quality grapes. The naturally calcium-rich Huichica and the sandy Goldridge soils provide what are considered the finest planting areas in America for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay yet identified. With all of the other alluvial sand, clay, and loam soils found in the region, there are more variations in soil types in the Russian River Valley than in all of France.

Winemaking and Viticulture Philosophy

DeLoach Vineyard’s dedication to traditional Burgundian winemaking techniques allows the winery to combine modern technology and centuries-old French customs, resulting in fantastic wines. The grapes are hand sorted and destemmed with a gentle destemmer to ensure quality and then cold-soaked before fermentation. Pigeage, a Burgundian method in which the grapes are gently crushed and the cap is punched down, is also used by the winemakers, followed by fermentation in open-top wood fermentors approximately 6 feet wide and 7’4’’ in diameter. This ratio allows the juice to have more direct contact with the skins, which results in deeper color and flavor extraction. Open top fermentors help soften and round out tannins, which results in velvety, balanced wines. The wines are whole-cluster fermented with their native yeasts which showcases the unique terroir of each vineyard.

Stewards of the land, the DeLoach Vineyards team feels a profound responsibility to pass along a clean environment and revitalized, healthy soil to future generations, following the Native American proverb that “We do not inherit this land from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” In that spirit, DeLoach looks to the future with a new focus on eco-friendly farming practices. In 2008 the winery was awarded organic certification by the CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers). The team is committed to biodynamics, beginning with the conversion of 17 acres of estate vineyards from sustainable to biodynamic farming methods, which involves the use of cover crops, the application of biodynamic specific preparations and composts, and the maintenance of biodiversity within the estate. In 2009, DeLoach received Demeter biodynamic certification for their estate vineyards and 1-acre garden.

Per the guidelines of biodynamics, DeLoach is as attentive to the other aspects of the property and the community as they are to the vines. The winery maintains and encouragse biodiversity on the winery estate with chickens, a thriving beehive, and a diverse vegetable and herb garden that includes the medicinal plants that are used in the compost preparations such as yarrow, chamomile, and dandelion. In the holistic spirit of biodynamics, DeLoach continues to cultivate a sense of community with their neighbors, growers, and natural surroundings.