Budbreak in the Vineyards

After a very long and wet winter and spring, the vineyards are waking up from their dormancy. During the winter, the bare vines have been pruned to preserve the shape of the vine and determine the number of buds that will bear fruit for the coming vintage.

Little flecks of green spread throughout the vineyard to signal the start of the annual growth season. The soil begins to warm around this time of year, and osmotic forces push water up from the root system, containing organic acids, hormones, minerals and sugars. The tiny buds that are left behind during pruning begin to swell and sprout green shoots, and eventually grape leaves with miniature grape clusters.

The timing of budbreak holds considerable importance. If budbreak occurs too early, the young shoots may be vulnerable to frost damage during spring. However, if budbreak occurs too late, the grapes may not have enough time to fully ripen before harvest. It typically happens between mid-March and mid-April, depending on how cold the winter has been and the amount of rainfall that has occurred during the winter months.

All in all, budbreak is a hopeful event. It marks the beginning of a season of growth, and the beginning of the new vintage for our family winery.

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Dry Creek Vineyard Awarded U.S. Patent For Wine Cork Closures With Sustainable Sourcing Information

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HEALDSBURG, Calif. – APRIL 25, 2017 – Dry Creek Vineyard announced the issuance of U.S. Patent No. D779,938, related to the design of printed sustainable sourcing information on its wine cork closures. This is the first patent issued to Dry Creek Vineyard, which is celebrating 45 years of family winemaking in Sonoma County, California.

The innovative closure is laser printed with ornamental and detailed information about the source of cork material, including the age of the cork forest, the harvest date of the trees and the sustainable habitat these remarkable forests provide to the Iberian Lynx and Spanish Imperial Hawk.

This revolutionary concept was introduced with the release of Dry Creek Vineyard 2013 Old Vine Zinfandel. President Kim Stare Wallace developed the idea in an effort to provide transparency and authenticity of the winery’s extensive portfolio.

“I wanted to provide valuable knowledge to consumers about our sustainability efforts and the benefits of cork closures,” said Stare Wallace. “Dry Creek Vineyard is one of the last truly private, family-owned, iconic wineries, and it is important to communicate our ‘no compromises’ philosophy on every aspect of our packaging.”

“We make wines with integrity and soul,” continued Stare Wallace. “No detail is overlooked, including when and from where our corks are harvested.”

Founded in 1972, Dry Creek Vineyard is 100% Certified Sustainable and a leader in the sustainability movement in the Dry Creek Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) and the wine industry as a whole.

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Contact:

Sara Rathbun
Director of Marketing & Communications
Dry Creek Vineyard
SaraR@drycreekvineyard.com
(707) 433-1000 x128

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April Fools' Day!

April Fools’ Day! Our family winery is celebrating 45 years of family winemaking and we wanted to have a little fun!

No, we are not introducing a ‘Single Berry Series’ for $2000 per bottle, but we do have an incredible portfolio of small lot, limited production, winery-exclusive wines – at a much more reasonable price! You can learn more about all of our wines here >> store.drycreekvineyard.com.

Thanks for playing along with us and let’s keep the conversation going! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and share your favorite Dry Creek Vineyard moments.

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Dry Creek Vineyard Is The Only American Winery To Release 45 Consecutive Vintages Of Dry Chenin Blanc

Dry Creek Vineyard announced the release of its 45th consecutive vintages of Dry Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc to celebrate the winery’s anniversary of 45 years of family winemaking in Sonoma County, California.

The love of the Loire Valley led Founder David S. Stare to produce his inaugural 1972 Dry Chenin Blanc, and the winery has continued to craft the varietal every harvest since. Dry Creek Vineyard remains the only American winery to produce 45 consecutive vintages of Chenin Blanc.

Stare is widely known as the first to plant Sauvignon Blanc in Dry Creek Valley, against the advice of vineyard specialists. 45 years later, Sauvignon Blanc is the most planted white grape in Dry Creek Valley. Dry Creek Vineyard has proudly produced Sauvignon Blanc each year of its history and currently features four distinct Sauvignon Blanc bottlings in its portfolio.

Founded in 1972, Dry Creek Vineyard paved the way for a renaissance of winemaking and viticulture in the Dry Creek Valley. Before Stare’s arrival, the Dry Creek Valley was planted to prune orchards. It was his vision to start a Loire Valley-inspired winery, which triggered a viticultural reawakening in northern Sonoma County.

Stare’s daughter, Kim Stare Wallace, is currently the President of Dry Creek Vineyard and continues to lead with a “no compromises” philosophy producing appellation-focused, terroir-driven, varietal-defining wines.

“Competition is at an all time high in our industry, so being true to our wines, our vineyards and the terroir of our region is more important than ever before,” said Stare Wallace. “Instead of getting sucked into the increasing corporatization of the industry, we are bucking the trends and are an increasingly rare breed.”

“We are proud to be one of the few remaining family-owned members of the illustrious ‘Class of ’72’,” continued Stare Wallace. “Our goal is to continue forward into the future as an iconic, family-owned, heritage brand – reflecting the true essence of Sonoma County.”

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Taste of Bordeaux Wine Cruise: May 25-June 1, 2017

Are you looking for a one-of-a-kind vacation that combines your love of travel and wine? Taste, tour and discover Bordeaux and the Loire Valley with Dry Creek Vineyard owners, Kim Stare Wallace and Don Wallace.

Bordeaux is the capital of Aquitaine in Southwestern France and one of the world’s undisputed wine capitals. While on this 7-night cruise, you’ll discover stately châteaux, abundant vineyards and stunning scenery as you sail along the Garonne River and its surrounding estuaries, calling upon port cities like Cadillac, Bourg and Libourne. Enjoy tastings of some of the region’s most distinguished wines and visit notable sights on this incredible journey.

Prior to the cruise, join Kim and Don on a remarkable three day Loire Valley Trip. Experience the French countryside that inspired Kim’s father, David Stare, to head to California 45 years ago to start his own family winery, Dry Creek Vineyard. Discover the landscapes, unspoiled nature, beautiful gardens and breathtaking castles of the Loire Valley, all while sampling the incredible wines that made the region famous.

Here is a closer look at this delicious adventure. We hope you will join us!

PRE-CRUISE LOIRE VALLEY TRIP INCLUDES:
• Private car transfer from airport to hotel
• Welcome wine reception
• One night at the Hotel Regina in Paris
• Two nights at the Hotel Château de la Bourdaisière in the Loire Valley
• Tours and tastings at three wineries in the Loire Valley
• Visit to Chambord Castle
• Tour of a Cognac house in Cognac
• Breakfast included each morning
• Lunch and dinner included both days in the Loire Valley
• All tours, entry fees, guides and motor coach transportation included
• Luggage transfer to AmaDolce
• Tour ends at AmaDolce to begin your cruise

TASTE OF BORDEAUX WINE CRUISE:
During our seven night voyage, you’ll enjoy the following:
• Three dinners featuring Dry Creek Vineyard wines
• Two Exclusive Wine Seminars
• A vertical perspective of Bordeaux blends featuring library tasting of Bordeaux blends and Dry Creek Vineyard “The Mariner”
• Two exclusive wine-themed shore excursions not available to other guests

Contact Expedia Cruise Ship Centers at 877-651-7447 or WineClub@CruiseShipCenters.com to reserve your space today!

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