HOOK & LADDER VINEYARDS
Russian River Valley
Hook & Ladder’s estate vineyards occupy some of the most coveted and historic sites in the Russian River Valley, many originally farmed in the late 1800’s by early Italian immigrants who recognized the area’s unique potential for producing premium cool climate wine grapes.
Olivet Ranch – 20 acres, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
Stegman Ranch – 9 acres, Pinot Noir
Severson Ranch – 8 acres, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir
Simeone Ranch – 3 acres, Pinot Noir
Chalk Hill
The De Loach family also owns the 132-acre Los Amigos Ranch in Chalk Hill, an esteemed sub-appellation of the Russian River Valley.
Chalk Hill’s slightly warmer climate, higher elevation, and volcanic soils make it ideal for producing the classic red Bordeaux varieties planted to Los Amigos and used in Hook & Ladder’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, “Tillerman” Red Blend, “Third Alarm” Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, and “Four Rows” Reserve Cabernet Franc.
Los Amigos Ranch – 132 Acres Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah, Chardonnay
PRESERVING OUR VINEYARDS
Hook & Ladder Vineyards and Winery is committed to keep Sonoma County environmentally sound.
We do a number of environmentally friendly things for no other reason than to preserve the county that is our home. Cecil and Christine De Loach have included 118 acres of their vineyards properties in the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. These properties include an oak woodland, which unlike many parts of Sonoma County are regenerating well. Along with our infant oak trees we do not cut down healthy, mature oak trees, we simply make them an integral part of our vineyards. A number of years ago we started an oak tree nursery to provide an in-house source of native oak trees to be used in our environmental projects. In dealing with the animals that share vineyard land with us we have implemented a number of creative and environmentally conscious techniques such as barn owl boxes and raptor perches which promote natural predator-prey relationships and reduce the need for environmentally harmful pest control techniques. We practice integrated pest management and use only the most environmentally safe chemicals, those that kill the pest and do not affect any other life form . Hook and Ladder Winery makes a special effort to preserve our most important agricultural resource, water. We are constantly vigilant of the creek, stream and river ways and their ecosystem, never allowing the vineyard edge to impose on them. We take steps to avoid the contamination of waterways with soil, sediment, or pesticides.
