The vineyards are planted exclusively to varieties originally from the Rhone Valley at 2700 feet in the Sierra Foothills' El Dorado Wine Country.
The first vineyard, fifteen acres of Syrah, was planted in 1998. The vines are trained on a quadrilateral trellising system to obtain maximum fruit quality by limiting vigor and maximizing light penetration. The vines line steeply terraced slopes with 360 degrees of exposure due to the circular lay of the land. The first crop was harvested in October of 2000. Beginning in 2006, parts of this vineyard have been grafted over to other varieties so that the winery can fully utilize all of the production. Counoise, Grenache Blanc, Petite Sirah, Carignane, Cinsaut, and Picpoul have all been added.
The second vineyard was planted in 2000 on the adjacent hill. Due to the family's love of Rhone wines and the fact that Rhone grapes grow so well in El Dorado, they planted Counoise, Grenache, and Mourvedre (all red Rhones) and Roussanne and Viognier (Rhone whites). The reds are head trained to allow close spacing which will force the vines to compete for nutrients and result in maximum flavors. The whites are trained using Vertical Shoot Positioning for ideal sun exposure. This vineyard is laid out on steep terraces, like the Syrah, and is south-facing.
