Vineyard Attributes

The replanting of Windsor Oak Vineyards started in the late 1990’s. Preparation included an extensive re-contouring of the surface of the Vineyards, achieving a higher degree of block uniformity. The operation involved removing the top soil, ripping and shaping the ground, improving the farmability and access, placing the irrigation lines, and once completed evenly reapplying the top soil. 

Our Vineyards soils are typical of the Russian River Valley AVA in the lower portion of the property, alluvial clay loam -- cobbled clay.  In the upper portion of the Estate has the distinct characteristics of the Chalk Hill AVA. These soils are rocky, being built up by volcanic eruptions. Today the soils are mainly decomposed chalky white ash.

In the Vineyards, the general vine spacing is 6’ X 8’ with vertical shoot  positioning being the principal trellising system.  The spur-pruned, single cordon is the predominate style. However, several Chardonnay and Pinot Noir blocks are cane pruned. Also, a single block of head-trained Cabernet Sauvignon vines remain representative of the vineyard of 1970’s.

Two-thirds of the vineyard blocks have a north-south facing aspect.  The Vineyards are planted on varying degrees of rolling hills.  About a third of the blocks have slope inclines of more than 20% and another a third of the blocks have slope inclines between 10 and 20%.

There are two large ponds on the property that supply the vineyard with ample irrigation.  The ponds collect natural-runoff throughout the rainy seasons.  There is essentially no threat of frost in the Vineyards; therefore, our water resources can focus on irrigation.