Dry Creek Valley
Home Ranch, Block 5 ~ Dry Creek Valley
Not only is Block 5 the home of the winery, but it is also home to the backbone of our Dry Creek zinfandel. Planted in 1980, these 40-year-old old vines are just hitting their prime. Located at the corner of Dry Creek and Lytton Springs Roads, it's hallowed ground for zinfandel. The sandy loam is thick with river rock, as is much of the Dry Creek valley floor. The great drainage in the soil produces smaller berries and limits the overall yields. This is also one of the earliest vertical trellis systems in the valley, giving us great canopy management, with mature vines. The resulting fruit is prototypical Dry Creek valley zinfandel: full of bright berry fruits, black pepper, silky tannins and a long complex finish.
WINES FROM THIS VINEYARD:
Mauritson Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
Buchignani-Garcia ~ Dry Creek Valley
This story could be told over and over about our growers: long time family friends, multi-generation grape growers in Dry Creek valley and the owners of some of the best zinfandel on the planet. The Buchignani family fits all those descriptors. The particular block that we purchase from them is one of the most unique vineyards in all of Dry Creek valley. The valley runs North/Northwest from the town of Healdsburg, which means that the vineyards either have a western or eastern sun exposure, depending on what side of the valley it’s planted on. This block, however, is planted on a Southern facing slope. It's the result of a small hollow that shoots off to the east. The dry farmed vineyard gets ideal direct morning sun, yet has the benefit of indirect sun the rest of the day. Planted at nearly 35 degrees, there is no water retention in this soil; the clay and loam ensure it. Being dry-farmed and nearly stressed to the breaking point, this is one of our lowest yielding vineyards. As you might imagine, it is also one of the most tannic. Year in and year out, it provides the backbone of our Dry Creek zinfandel.
WINES FROM THIS VINEYARD:
Mauritson Dry Creek Zinfandel
Faloni ~ Dry Creek Valley
The only vineyard that we use from the west side of the valley, the Faloni zinfandel is an integral part of our winemaking. Planted right on Dry Creek, and having unique sun exposure, this fruit yields very different characteristics than any of our other vineyards. The west side of the valley tends to get much less sun, which allows the fruit longer hang time. The extended hang time gives us added depth and richness in the resulting wine. The cooler growing conditions, due to the proximity to the creek, give us higher acids and brighter fruit characteristics. The flavors are more pure and more discernable than any other vineyard we use.
WINES FROM THIS VINEYARD:
Mauritson Dry Creek Zinfandel
Grandma's ~ Dry Creek Valley
Another casualty or beneficiary, depending on how you look at it, of phylloxera, this vineyard was originally planted to chardonnay. In 2002 we finally pulled the plug on the dying vineyard and did what we should have done 20 years before: plant Sauvignon Blanc. Grandma’s vineyard is the perfect complement to our Hardie Ranch. The temperature is about 5 degrees warmer on average, the soils are slightly richer and spacing is tighter. This gives us Sauvignon Blanc with more tropical flavors, greater viscosity, better aromatics and a softer palate. Not to mention that it is Grandma’s vineyard, and you know anything that Grandma grows is going to be darn good.
WINES FROM THIS VINEYARD:
Mauritson Dry Creek Sauvignon Blanc
Hardie Ranch ~ Dry Creek Valley
The home of our fabulous Sauvignon Blanc, we have been farming this property for over 20 years. We have 65 acres of vineyard planted here, with four different varietals, but it is the Sauvignon Blanc that really shines. Located on the valley floor, our ranch borders dry creek for nearly 300 yards. The cooling effect of the not-so-dry creek elongates the growing season, giving the wine great richness and complexity while retaining the crisp acidity. The sand and rock in the soil give our Sauvignon Blanc its signature Sancerre style: bright citrus fruits with wet stone and hints of mineral.
WINES FROM THIS VINEYARD:
Mauritson Dry Creek Sauvignon Blanc
Home Ranch, Block 3 ~ Dry Creek Valley
Probably some of the best grapes that my family grows, this cabernet has been part of many gold medal, reserve and 90+ point wines. In fact, the fruit was so good that it took me 5 years to renegotiate the contracts with the wineries that were buying the fruit, just so that I could get my hands on 5 tons of it. Planted in the red loam that is synonymous with great Dry Creek Valley wines, it is one of the most picturesque vineyards that we own. Situated on a terraced slope across a beautiful western facing hillside, overlooking the valley, this vineyard gets optimal sun and wind exposure. The near 30-degree slopes ensure that there will be very little water retention, leaving the vines stressed and the yields low. The berries are roughly the size of small peas, with very thick skins. The clusters are always long and loose, ensuring even ripening and eliminating the chance of rot or botrytis. Given the extreme slope, the roots gain even greater depth than normal, giving this fruit its characteristic mineral notes. Always lush and fruit forward, this is truly a great example of how good Dry Creek Valley cabernet can be.
WINES FROM THIS VINEYARD:
Mauritson Sonoma County Cabernet