Region:

Los Carneros, Sonoma

4200 Napa Rd.
Sonoma, CA 95476

707-938-8822

Winemaker:

Jacqueline Yoakum

Large

Days/Hours:

Daily, 10:00 to 6:00

Large

Event Facilities:

Extensive Event Facilities

Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah

Chardonnay

The Winery:
The winery building is a beautiful five-level gravity flow facility that looks like the old Spanish style ranch homes California is known for, but on an impressive scale, created in a color and style that blends in with the surrounding hills. The estate began life as a cattle ranch in 1800s, and was purchased by the Nicholson family in 1962. In 1996 the first vineyards were planted and the winery was begun in 2000. The full winery and tasting facility was completed in 2003, and the first wines released were Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The Vineyards:
Most of the wines are produced from the 30 acres of estate vineyards located just north of the Carneros AVA in Sonoma Valley. They purchase Syrah grapes from the Las Madres vineyard at the Sonoma end of the Los Carneros AVA, as well as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Sangiacomo Vineyards and Pinot Noir from the McHugh Vineyards of Los Carneros.

The Wines:
The wines of Nicholson Ranch include an unfined and unfiltered, French oak aged, Chardonnay and a whole-berry pressed, cold soaked Pinot Noir. The gravity-flow facility was especially designed for the gentle handling of their Pinot Noir. They also produce a big, bold, cooler region Syrah, as well as a small production Merlot created in a more Bordeaux than Napa style. The winery specializes in wines made with as little interference as possible.

The Winemaker:
Jacqueline Yoakum is the winemaker at Nicholson Ranch. She practices a minimal intervention approach to winemaking, which includes not adding sulfur at crush, utilizing wild yeast, and only allowing for naturally occurring malolactic fermentation. She worked at Littorai Winery prior to coming to Nicholson Ranch.