Single Vineyard
The vineyards for GAIL are chosen for their varietal, farming, and most importantly, their place in Sonoma Valley. I do my best to keep it classic. I don’t subscribe to any dogmatic movement or trend in winemaking.
Fermentations occur spontaneously when the environment allows. Everything is aged sur-lie in neutral oak with minimal movement, favoring large-format barrels whenever possible. Each vineyard designate is 100% varietal, bottled unfiltered, and labeled with a distinct watercolor and unique number.
Carved out in the forests of Sobre Vista on the east-facing slopes of Sonoma Mountain is the Nelson Vineyard. The vineyard is farmed by my neighbor David Rothschild, who is working hard to bring back the spirit of a Sonoma Valley heyday. The wines grown up here are sappy and needle(y) just the way I like it. We only bottle a tiny amount of Chardonnay from this vineyard. We called it Sobre Vista Road because we wanted to call attention to the incredible Chardonnay from this part of Sonoma Mountain.
Harvested at 22.7 Brix, our 2024 Chardonnay was whole-cluster pressed into neutral 75-gallon hogs heads and fermented with native yeasts. The only sulfured added was to block malolactic conversion, allowing the wine's minerality, and varietal purity to shine. After eight months on the lees, we bottled it unfiltered, preserving its purity and texture.
brioche, green apple, sea salt
| AVA | Sonoma Mountain |
| Elevation | 472' |
| Production | 1380 BTLS |
| Finished Alc % | 12.3% |
Once home to a bonded winery and monastery, Two Creeks Farm sits in the heart of Kenwood, where two tributaries - one from the Mayacamas, the other from Sonoma Mountain - merge to form the headwaters of the Sonoma Creek. Organically farmed by our friend and vintner Erich Bradley, this remarkable site channels that convergence of water into something equally vital–wine.
Our 2024 Chenin Blanc went through native fermentation in concrete egg. The only sulfured added was to block malolactic conversion, allowing the wines minerality, and varietal purity to shine. Once the wine is dry, it’s racked to 600-liter neutral puncheons for a brief yet transformative 10-month élevage. The result is a profound white wine—vibrant, textural, and deeply expressive of its terroir. I firmly believe this remarkable grape deserves greater prominence in Sonoma Valley.
flint, lemon wax, white flowers
| AVA | Sonoma Valley |
| Elevation | 384' |
| Production | 1620 BTLS |
| Finished Alc % | 12.5% |
With one of the few remaining plantings of Barbera, the Madhavan vineyard is situated on the lower slopes of Nuns Canyon in the northern reaches of the Moon Mountain District. We are proud to assist our grower in transitioning this site to organic farming. The vineyard is approximately 3.5 acres, divided into two parcels. The front parcel is planted on a reasonably steep slope atop a large deposit of volcanic rock, while the back parcel is grown in a swell of more loamy soils. The wines from this site possess a unique combination of both power and finesse.
After many inspiring trips to the Langhe, I was drawn to the idea of expanding Barbera's presence in Sonoma. Historically, Barbera has deep roots here, with Ridge once producing an exceptional Barbera from a vineyard planted by General Vallejo. The wine underwent spontaneous fermentation in open-top stainless-steel fermenters and was aged in neutral puncheons, preserving its lively character and purity. This Barbera is a testament to the variety’s potential in Sonoma, offering a fresh, dynamic take that’s deeply rooted in tradition yet uniquely Californian.
rhubarb, pluot, eucalyptus
| AVA | MOON MOUNTAIN DISTRICT |
| Elevation | 497' |
| Production | 1800 BTLS |
| Finished Alc % | 14.3% |
Monte Rosso is one of the region’s most historic vineyards, known for its iconic red soils and legendary wines. The Louis Martini wines from the 1960s and 1970s produced at this site have aged remarkably well, a testament to its exceptional terroir. This sprawling ranch is home to meticulously planted blocks, some of which feature century-old vines. Now under the stewardship of the Gallo family, the vineyard has been transitioned to organic farming, ensuring its legacy continues.
We were fortunate to produce a few vintages of Sangiovese from this historic ranch—a nod to Sonoma’s sister city, Greve in Chianti, and a celebration of the deep connection between these two winemaking regions.
The wine spent a few days soaking before fermentation began, then was transferred to 600L Stockinger cask for an extended 20-month sur-lie aging to preserve its varietal character. I love to produce wines from varietals that are rarely planted in Sonoma Valley. While Monte Rosso is predominantly planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, a few outliers remain. We are proud to have crafted the first varietal Sangiovese from Monte Rosso in nearly 20 years.
cherry red licorice, blood orange, crushed stone
| AVA | Moon Mountain District |
| Elevation | 791' |
| Production | 1800 BTLS |
| Finished Alc % | 14.3% |
