In celebration of Women’s History Month, we sat down with pioneering women winemakers who launched their careers in the cellar of Dry Creek Vineyard. Julia Iantosca was studying to become a veterinarian at the University of California, Davis, when a wine appreciation class inspired her to switch her major to fermentation science. Julia’s first experiences in the cellar were as an intern at Dry Creek Vineyard in 1978 and 1979. “I had some classes but zero experience, so it was a leap of faith,” she said. She proved our founder Dave’s faith to be well-placed, as she went on to a distinguished career as winemaker at Lambert Bridge Winery, Lasseter Family Winery and Saini Vineyards, among others. #womeninwine #drycreekvineyard #womenshistorymonth
As you prepare for picnics and peaceful evenings on the patio, we're eager to make it easier for you to savor our family winery's varietal-defining, appellation-driven wines. Whether you're craving the crisp elegance of a Chardonnay, the bold richness of a Cabernet Sauvignon, or the refreshing zest of a Sauvignon Blanc, our diverse portfolio of wines has something to suit every palate. For a limited time, save on shipping for all your spring selections and 10% case savings (25% for club members). Receive $20 ground shipping on orders $200+. 🌼 Join our Spring Savings >> www.drycreekvineyard.com/shop
In celebration of Women’s History Month, we sat down with pioneering women winemakers who launched their careers in the cellar of Dry Creek Vineyard to learn more about their experiences working at our winery and elsewhere, as Sonoma County’s wine industry came of age. Our series begins with President Kim Stare Wallace, who shares how her father, winery Founder David S. Stare, provided her and others in wine with opportunities and encouragement to follow their dreams. #drycreekvineyard #womeninwine #womenshistorymonth
On this International Women's Day, let's celebrate the talented female winery directors, winemakers, sommeliers, vineyard managers and enthusiasts who bring passion and creativity to every pour. 🍷 President Kim Stare Wallace was recently in Napa for an International Women’s Day luncheon — one of eight women featured in the collector's book by @winecountrywomen, "Wine Country Women Heritage Families." These remarkable women hosted a table for this inspiring event. The keynote speaker was Vitalie Taittinger (@vitalie.taittinger), fourth-generation CEO of the venerable champagne house, Champagne Taittinger (@champagnetaittinger). Coming from a lineage of wine producers and raised in the vineyards, Vitalie was destined to pursue a career in the realm of wine, much like second-generation President Kim. Cheers to the women who make the wine world thrive! #InternationalWomensDay @rachael_rochioli @wolfkisses153
Did you know you can find several of our family winery's selections on tap? 🥂 Stainless steel kegs provide a completely inert environment to prevent aging, which is perfect for bright, aromatic whites like Dry Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc, and Petite Zin Rosé! Wine on tap in stainless steel kegs not only maintains superior wine quality, but also reduces the cost and carbon footprint of traditional bottle packaging and transportation. ♻️ By eliminating this packaging, reusable steel kegs reduce millions of pounds of waste in the landfill every year. Find our wines near you using our handy locator — link in bio.
This season, we invite you to discover the nuances of our region's one-of-a-kind terroir by booking a special Bordeaux Varietals Tasting. Dry Creek Valley is a little-known gem for Bordeaux varieties, with its combination of varied topography, excellent soil conditions and ideal sun exposure. With an unwavering passion for quality winemaking and traditional French blending techniques, our family winery's second generation has strived to create the finest Bordeaux-inspired wines that rival the best of any from California. Explore the Bordeaux varietals of our home appellation as you taste through a flight of five limited-production, single-vineyard and Meritage wines. Reserve your tasting with us on our website or Tock. 📷: Our estate Endeavour Vineyard, located in the Lytton Springs district of Dry Creek Valley
Don't let this extra day slip by without celebrating! Greetings from the Dry Creek Vineyard family as we raise our glasses for #LeapYear — here's to seizing every opportunity. 🍷✨
Join us on Earth Day, April 20th, for our Endeavour Vineyard Hike, a Wine Club-exclusive event in the great outdoors with Winemaker Tim Bell. 🌿 Tickets are available now on our website for this intimate gathering limited to just 30 guests. Explore our famed Endeavour Vineyard in the Lytton Springs District of Dry Creek Valley. Along the way, we will learn firsthand about the long journey to find this perfect parcel, its innovative sustainable farming practices and the varieties grown here. You’ll sample wines from the source and conclude with a casual picnic lunch.
Tomorrow is officially #OpenThatBottleNight 🍾 — a day dedicated to enjoying the fine wines you've stashed away while reconnecting with loved ones, reminiscing both fun and tough times, and celebrating the "here and now." To honor this special holiday, our team shared what they were doing in 2014, the year of these featured library wines. ✨ In the year 2014 ... Dry Creek Vineyard – We became 100% Certified Sustainable, even though the winery had been employing these principles for over 25 years. 🌱 Tim Bell, Winemaker – I made my first visit ever to Yellowstone National Park. And I tried a sparkling Crémant de Loire that became an inspiration for our own sparkling Chenin Blanc! Brian Pruett, Associate Winemaker – My fondest memory has to be Margaret and I beginning to date. One of our favorite activities was taking hikes along the coast and finding a nice spot to set up a picnic. Little did I know that we'd fall in love so quick, and 2014 would be my last vintage making wine on the Central Coast! Jenny Phan, Marketing & Communications Manager – I just started the first culinary club at Northwestern, teaching students how to cook late at night and then struggling through early AM classes. 🙃 Tara Albertson, Assistant DTC Manager – I graduated from SSU with a concentration in Wine Business strategies and started my first full year working in the CA wine industry! 🎓 Lenore Messler, Graphic Designer – I was a new California transplant. I just started my graphic design career and spent my free time exploring the SF Bay Area, making new friends, and discovering wine for the first time. Beau Baumbach, Digital Marketing Specialist – I was at SSU studying marketing and wine business strategies while working at Seghesio. I ran my first half marathon that year, was on the triathlon team at SSU, and part of the Wine Sense Club. Emma Linowski, Marketing Coordinator – It marked my high school graduation, a "planes, trains and automobiles"-esque trip across Europe with two of my best friends during the summer, and the beginnings of my journey at Chico State. ❤️ Do you have a fond memory from 2014? Feel free to share it with us in the comment section!
We’re taking full advantage of these slower, wet days to make exciting renovations to the tasting room and facilities. In the meantime, our exceptional hospitality team invites you to join us for a seated tasting in our newly revamped barrel room!
Decanting a fine bottle of wine can add a layer of romance and enjoyment to any wine experience. It also serves a very useful purpose — decanting adds air to young wines and opens up layers of flavor and complexity. However, the debate rages. 🍷 When do you decant? We believe that big, tannic, young wines benefit from immediate decanting by getting some air into them, while older library wines should be left alone. Assuming the wine has been stored properly, an older wine at or near its peak needs to be treated delicately. Air is one of wine’s greatest enemies, and decanting adds a lot of oxygen to that wine, quite often causing the fragile fruit of an older wine to fade away. Ultimately, that special bottle of wine is yours, and you should do with it as you please! Just remember to use extra care should you choose to decant library wines, and don’t allow air to contact the wine for a lengthy period of time. #decanting #wine101 #openthatbottlenight
Today, we toast to the rich history of our nation and pay tribute to the leaders who have shaped our country's story. From our family to yours, we wish you a safe and happy #PresidentsDay.
This Sunday is a day we raise our glasses in celebration of a timeless elixir that transcends borders and brings people together — wine. 🍷 Join us in toasting to the spirit of conviviality, the beauty of the vine and the pleasure found in every drop of our favorite beverage on #NationalDrinkWineDay. Cheers! P.S. If you're looking to replenish your cellar or plan for spring parties, you can enjoy 50% shipping savings on $300+ of our exclusive winery selections with code WINEDAY24 this weekend.
Our family winery is now hosting large groups gathering this spring and beyond! 🌸 Enjoy a reception-style tasting of five wines, perfect for special celebrations and meetings with 20 to 40 guests. Bookings are open for March through October. 10-day notice is required to reserve. Learn more by calling our team at (707) 433-1000 ext. 106.
Whether you're celebrating Valentine's, Palentine's or Galentine's Day this week, we raise a glass to you, your significant others and the beautiful memories you make. 🥂 May your days be filled with love, laughter and the "pop!" of uncorking your favorite wines together. 📷: Reminiscing about the time our famed Bordeaux-style blend, The Mariner, met its white Meritage counterpart, The Mariness, in November of 2018. They've simply been inseparable since.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, we sat down with pioneering women winemakers who launched their careers in the cellar of Dry Creek Vineyard. Phyllis Zouzounis entered the wine industry as a second career in 1980, when she came to work at Dry Creek Vineyard in the tasting room and the cellar. It had taken two years for her to find a winery that would give her a chance at her dream. “Nobody would hire a woman at the time,” she recalled. Over the next decade and a half, Phyllis worked her way up to the role of assistant winemaker at Dry Creek Vineyard before moving onto Mazzocco Vineyards as winemaker and general manager. Phyllis continues to make wine under her own label, Zouzounis Wines, and has worked as a consulting winemaker for several other Sonoma County wineries. #drycreekvineyard #womeninwine #womenshistorymonth