1812
Russian fur hunters purchase the fertile land
Russian fur hunters purchase the fertile land from the Pomo Native American Tribe and build Fort Ross in hopes of establishing a trade port
Deloach Pinot Noir grape growing began in the Russian River Valley in 1971, with the first vintage debuting in 1975. But long before the DeLoach family moved north from San Francisco, the Russians and Spanish were here planting the first grapes in 1836, then Italians, who planted the first vitis vinifera vines in the area.
Winery founders Cecil and Christine DeLoach were drawn to a small area of the Russian River Valley, between Sebastopol and Santa Rosa, where agricultural miracles seem to occur regularly. Cecil researched the area and discovered that the Italians had selected the particular area because it was possible to “dry farm” — that is, to farm without irrigation — due to the rare combination of soils and climate. The semi-permeable soils allow good drainage yet retain enough moisture throughout the year to nourish the vines. In general, the valley climate allows for at least 115 days without rain, which inhibits disease and promotes good grape development.
In 2003, the Boisset family brought two generations of sustainable winemaking experience from Burgundy, France to DeLoach. The Boisset’s knew that the site was spectacular — which have consistently produced award-winning wines from the estate. Most notably, the DeLoach Vineyards 30th Anniversary Cuvée Pinot Noir received Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s 2004 Wine of the Year.
Soon after the Deloach purchase, the family launched an environmentally sustainable plan to transform the estate vineyards which necessitated pulling out the original vines and planting strategic cover crops to revitalize the soil. During the estate vineyard transition, the winery partnered with winegrowers equally dedicated to ecofriendly farming practices and the production of high-quality organic wines.
In July 2008 DeLoach was certified organic by the CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) and in December 2009, Demeter awarded Biodynamic® certification for both our estate vineyards and one-acre garden. In the cellar, traditional Burgundian winemaking techniques are used — open-top wood fermenters, native yeast fermentations and hand punch-downs — to produce terroir-driven wines of distinction. The Boisset family’s vision has been rewarded through various accolades, including being named a Top 100 Winery by Wine & Spirits Magazine twelve times.
DeLoach Vineyards has been experimenting with and perfecting the best combinations of soil, rootstock and clones for more than five decades and is anchored more deeply than ever in the Russian River Valley appellation, America’s most renowned appellation for Pinot Noir. At DeLoach, terroir reigns.
Timeline
1836
Russians plant the first vineyard
Russians plant the first vineyard in what is today the town of Graton, located in the Russian River Valley Appellation
1891
Nearly 4,000 acres of grapes
Nearly 4,000 acres of grapes are now growing in the Russian River Valley after an explosion of explorers immigrated to Sonoma during the Gold Rush
Late 1960’s
Planting Pinot
Joe Rochioli, Jr. and Joe Swan plant Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley
1970
DeLoach Estate
Cecil and Christine DeLoach purchase 24 acres of Old Vine Zinfandel where the estate is today
1973
Olivet Bench
Cecil is the first to plant Pinot Noir on the Olivet Bench which, he felt would do well as an early-ripening variety in a cooler climate
1975
Fruits of Labor
After years of selling grapes, DeLoach Vineyards produces their first vintage helping establish the reputation of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel in the Russian River Valley
1979
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
The winery produced its first Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the estate in addition to Zinfandel, helping establish the reputation of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel in the Russian River Valley
1983
Russian River Valley
Cecil and Christine DeLoach emerged as leaders of the Russian River Valley AVA movement and were among the first to use that designation on their labels
2003
Boisset Family Estates
DeLoach Vineyards is purchased by Boisset Family Estates with the intention of increasing the wineries focus on small lot vineyard designate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel wines
2004
Wine of the Year
DeLoach Vineyards 30th Anniversary Cuvee 2004 Pinot Noir received Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s 2004 Wine of the Year
2004-2010
Biodynamic® Planting
One of the first priorities after purchasing DeLoach was to replant the 17-acre estate vineyard using organic and Biodynamic® practices to restore life to soils depleted by years of conventional farming. By letting the land go fallow and enriching it naturally, the groundwork was laid for a healthier, more expressive vineyard.
2010 marked the first vintage of wines from the estate since converting the vineyard to Biodyanmic® farming.
2008 and 2009
Certified Organic
The estate was certified organic by CCOF in 2008 and granted Biodynamic® certification by Demeter in 2009.
2012
Wine & Spirits
DeLoach is awarded Wine & Spirits Top 100 Winery of the Year for the 12th time.
2020
Certified Sustainable
Awarded Certified California Sustainable Wine Growing Alliance (CSWA) for both the DeLoach Vineyard and Winery
2025
50 Years of Heritage
DeLoach is honored to celebrate 50 Years of Heritage.