Here’s a list of Sonoma County wineries that welcome picnickers—Dutcher Crossing Winery included!
Read about the variety of events that make Dutcher Crossing’s wine clubs a unique experience for our members.
John Vankat mentions three Dutcher Crossing wines everyone should include in their summer roster.
Dutcher Crossing Winery’s connection to cycling goes beyond the penny farthing logo. Read more about Debra’s passion for cycling and bicycles.
Come enjoy a relaxing game of petanque while you take in beautiful views of the vineyard.
Dutcher Crossing Winery always enjoys seeing your four legged companions. Bring them along and they can meet some of the staff’s dogs that happen to be on property that day.
The article highlights our 2021 Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay, a vintage where “the fruit was exceptional giving a mineral ballast to the creaminess and fruit flavors.” You can enjoy it for yourself or try one of our four other delicious Chardonnays.
Fran Miller does a great job describing the arc of the winery from 2007 to today.
Proud to have our 2019 Costello Vineyard Chardonnay included with 10 other wines that “based on flavor and varietal comps … could easily command a more precious price.”
2018 Taylor Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon makes John Vankat’s list of wines that make perfect gifts or serving as part of the festivities.
Honored to have our 2018 Cooney Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon recognized as Best of Alexander Valley AVA and Best of Class.
Honored to have two of our wines earn Double Gold: 2022 Sauvignon Blanc and 2018 Cooney Cabernet Sauvignon. Something for everyone whether you love white or red wine. For that matter, why not enjoy both!
Happy to see so many getting into the spirit of Halloween. No need to limit your urge for crafts to October, as the mod-podge pumpkin you create during one of our wine tastings works as Thanksgiving decorations too.
Rosé has grown to include a spectrum of choices. Happy to see our Rosé of Grenache included on this list.
Three of our favorite reds made the list. John Vankat focused on our 2018 Pritchett Peaks Vineyard, Rockpile Zinfandel. Read the article to see which other two of our wines also garnered a mention. John curated a strong overall list and we are proud to be part of it.
Summer does indeed bring more white wine to the table. Happy to have our 2022 Sauvignon Blanc included in this list.
Great to be included in this list of 10 women-owned wineries in California. This list is just the tip of a welcome trend in the industry.
See why Forbes included our Grace Reserve Brut Rose among their selections for adding some sparkle and pop to your Valentine’s Day celebrations this year.
Forbes includes our 2018 Winemakers’ Cellar Testa Reserve Carignane in its list of wines that deserve your attention for both gifting and enjoying during the holiday season.
A great list of wines from Sonoma County, including our 2018 Pritchett Peaks Vineyard Rockpile Zinfandel.
As writer Jeanette Hurt notes, for some Sauvignon Blanc is a year-long passion, or it could be a new option for your holidays. Happy to have our 2021 Sauvignon Blanc included in her selections.
List of dog friendly wineries has to include us, doesn’t it? This is a great list of wineries across Sonoma that welcome you and your furry friends.
Our 2016 Hidden Hill Vineyard Syrah was included in the “Wine picks.” See what they liked about our Syrah and read about two other family owned wineries right here in Sonoma County.
Proud to have our 2016 “Hidden Hill Vineyard, Alexander Valley” Syrah on this list of less familiar grapes. As John Vankat writes, these, “lesser known grapes greatly add to the enjoyment and adventure of wine and often deliver higher quality for the same or even lower price.”
Our own Lauren Fairlee talks about the use of our distinctive packaging to evoke the experiences our customers make with Dutcher Crossing wines.
See why Dutcher Crossing made the list plus other scenic wineries you can visit on your next trip to Sonoma.
See why Michael Cervin feels our port “is a perfect wine to end the evening.”
The “heady mix of bright red berry fruit, pine forest, and cedar spices” earned our 2018 Dutcher Crossing Winemakers’ Cellar Testa Reserve Carignane a spot on the list. Read the full comments as well as see the other selected wines.
Rich Mauro favors Zinfandel because it “captures the essence of exuberance in a glass.” Read more, including his comments on our 2018 Dutcher Crossing Maple Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel and the range of suitable food pairings for Zinfandel.
Our own Enrique Reyes explains the importance of pruning season and how it differs from harvesting time in this informative article about the work done during the winter months.
Our 2018 Costello Vineyard Chardonnay, oysters, and Valentine’s Day! We couldn’t agree with Forbes more on their pairing choices.
Robert Lublin that “for fans of California Chardonnay [our 2019 Chenoweth Vineyard Chardonnay] is a winner.” He finds our 2018 Maple Vineyard Zinfandel “surprisingly approachable for a wine that has so much going on” and gives it an A rating. Read the full review for more details.
“Among the best Zins I’ve tasted in 2021!” is how John Vankat starts his description of our 2017 Pritchett Peaks Vineyard Zinfandel. See the full list, which also includes our 2016 Dutchess Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.
The article highlights great wines from Sonoma County, including our 2018 Bacigalupi Vineyard Russian River Valley Zinfandel.
Holidays were made for sparkling wines and we couldn’t agree more with Charlene Peters that “a California sparkling wine can rival any Champagne, and one particular bottle of proof is a Dutcher Crossing 2016 Blanc de Blancs.”
A thrill to show up twice on this list. Once for our 2016 Dutchess Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon for the main course and a second time with the 2014 Port Zinfandel to compliment the dessert course of your holiday meal.
Pleased to see Pamela Vachon include our 2014 Port Zinfandel in the list as proof that an “exemplary dessert wines for your Thanksgiving celebration can be American-made.”
Nan McCreary explains what makes Dutcher Crossing “a true hidden gem” and tells the story of how we got where we are today.
Dana Rebmann opens her article with “fall is the perfect time to get outside in Sonoma County” and we couldn’t agree more. Our combination of wine tastings paired with a casual game of petanque were highlighted in the article.
Christopher Null reviews two of our favorites. Our 2019 Sauvignon Blanc became “a huge crowd pleaser at Drinkhacker HQ” with an endearing exuberance. He found our 2015 Kupferschmid to be “quite an earthy wine.” Read the full reviews to learn more.
Tour of Napa and Sonoma, including Dutcher Crossing, “where single – vineyard Chardonnays, Pinots, and Zinfandels make for a mouth-watering experience.”
To both her and her chief winemaker, taste is the most prominent attribute of all Dutcher Crossing wines. The intense flavors of the well-structured, premium fruit Mathy grows leads to longer mouthfeel length on the palate, more complexity in the wines, and the most ambrosial aromas one should be lucky to get a whiff of.
Our own Nick Briggs helps explain the “whole-cluster fermentation” technique and how it influences the flavor of a wine. Done right, this technique provides complexity and tannic structure, with characteristics influenced by the condition of the stems.
Insightful reviews of three of our single vineyard 2018 Pinot Noirs by Joe Roberts, aka 1 Wine Dude.
This winery in northern Sonoma County greets four-legged guests with open arms. Dogs are welcome in their tasting room, as well as on the back patio and lawn
Dutcher Crossing Brothers Reserve Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2017. Named for the brothers of winemaker Debra Mathy who she so reveres, this spirited zinfandel is a great match to grilled meat – ribs, burgers and even beef. Plum, raspberry and blackberry notes abound.
2017 Dutcher Crossing Stuhlmuller Vineyard 18 (9 for quality, 9 for value) Our tasters: Gave it a unanimous recommendation with four scores of at least 9.1. “Spicy cedar notes with a touch of vanilla and citrus. Satisfying finish.”
The grounds are gorgeous and welcoming, the vibe rustic and calming and the wines excellent and fairly priced, sourced from the estate and top-notch vineyards
“2016 Dutcher Crossing Chenoweth Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley ($52) Very pretty notes of dried rose petal and red licorice are framed by star anise and allspice that lift cherry and cherry pit flavors.”
“Less than 10 minutes north of Healdsburg, Geyserville knows how to turn on the charm. While it’s frequently overshadowed by its ever-popular neighbor, life here moves at a slower, less crowded pace. Start your day by walking through the vineyards at Dutcher Crossing Winery, then sit down to a wine tasting accompanied by pastries from a local bakery.”
“Dutcher Crossing Russian River Valley Bacigalupi Zinfandel 2016 ($37) – We liked this firm but reasonably complex zinfandel from the Russian River Valley. Generous raspberry and black cherry aromas mingle with blackberry and cherry flavors with oak-inspired hints of spice and vanilla. Excellent finish.”
“Dutcher Crossing Taylor Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 ($50). The additional bottle age helps to tame this giant win with ripe blackberry and raspberry flavors
“Dutcher Crossing Winery, Geyserville: If picnicking with your pup and a glass of cool chardonnay on a grassy knoll overlooking valleys and vineyards sounds like your ideal summer experience, Dutcher Crossing is the place to be. This dog-friendly winery has cheese and charcuterie boards available for purchase in its farmhouse-style tasting room to supplement your picnic basket, but guests are welcome to bring their own lunch to the scenic picnic area. 8533 Dry Creek Road, Geyserville, 707-431-2700, dutchercrossingwinery.com.”
“2016 Dutcher Crossing Winery “Chenoweth Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California $45 – After trying a selection of wines from Sonoma’s Dutcher Crossing winery over the past few years, I’ve been impressed by the overall quality and complexity of the portfolio. This red showcases Pinot Noir’s lush side. Its red-fruited freshness is backed up by a supple texture making it an ideal pairing for richer dishes like Boeuf Bourguignon (a savory stew) and creamy cheeses such as French Epoisses or Camembert.”
“Dry Creek also delivers delicious Bordeaux-style options, like the wines of Lambert Bridge, Sbragia, and Dutcher Crossing. Dutcher Crossing’s signature Taylor Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($45) melds dark cherry with dusty leather and tobacco.”
“Dutcher Crossing Chenoweth Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016 ($46). Black cherry notes with a bit of forest floor and spice. Silky tannins and long in the finish.”
“Dutcher Crossing Winery, Dry Creek Valley – Proprietor Debra Mathy takes pride in her small-lot Pinot Noir production, and the 2016 Dutcher Crossing Chenoweth Vineyard Pinot Noir shows off her hard work. It’s bright and juicy – the perfect complement to a holiday turkey dinner. Visit the property and you’ll likely be greeted by Dutchess, the house yellow lab. $47, dutchercrossingwinery.com”
Wine Country visitors who don’t want to leave their pooches behind have discovered this utopian canine-friendly setting and the picturesque grassy knoll that Mathy says transforms into a “gourmet dog park” on weekends…The Dutcher Crossing Wine Club is full of fellow wine and dog lovers, all parties well-represented at the regular Wine Club picnics and barbecues.
With a philosophy focused on small-lot, high-quality winemaking, owner Debra Mathy and winemaker Nick Briggs are making wines worthy of seeking out. The winery is based in Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma, but [the 2016 Bacigalupi] Chardonnay hails from a famed vineyard in neighboring Russian River Valley. It is rich and lush yet balanced and juicy with a streak of minerality reminiscent of top white Burgundy.
Not a shy wine! [The Bacigalupi Chardonnay] Goes for it, throwing out every note in the Chardonnay playbook, lemons, cream, grasses, apples, limes, white flowers, brown butter, almond pastry… you name it. Lingering, vibrant, elegant.
It’s surprisingly easy to sip the day away at this friendly boutique, and dog-friendly tasting room. Order up your favorite wine by the glass or bottle — they’ve got everything from carignan to cabernet — play a game of pétanque, and enjoy the panoramic views of Dry Creek Valley.
[The 2016 Bacigalipi Chardonnay] has narrative, and narrative to spare — from 100% of its fruit being sourced from the Bacigalupi Vineyard (which was planted in 1956 and was also the source of the winning chardonnay in the 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting) all the way to winemaker Debra Mathy being the first single woman to own a winery in Sonoma County. But even before all of that was the wine itself, which stood out to tasters for a provocative, can’t-put-my-finger-on-it aroma (pine sap? white pepper?) to a complexity so compelling that we wanted to pause and enjoy it on its own, aside from the “interruption” of food and the additional layers of taste it brings.
From the Dry Creek Valley, [the 2014 Winemaker’s Cellar Kupferschmid Red Wine] offers good depth and complexity with fine tannins and upfront strawberry and cherry fruit with a dash of dried rosemary.
Dutcher Crossing Winemaker’s Cellar Kupferschmid Red melds red and black fruit with spice, oak, and fresh herbs. The perfect wine to enjoy with roasted pork belly.
Find out why D Magazine named our Zinfandel a great holiday gift for wine lovers!
The [Winemaker’s Cellar Kupferschmid Red] label is quite a tongue twister…The winery is named after a crossing of two creeks on the property, and they encourage a very laid back style that welcomes visitors.
Kansas City Homes & Style writer Dave Eckert calls our Winemaker’s Cellar Kupferschmid Red one of his favorite domestic Rhone-style wines.
Wine Blogger Catherine Todd sits down with Debra to talk Dutcher Crossing and becoming a part of the Sonoma winemaking community.
On any given day, Dutcher Crossing Winery owner Debra Mathy and her winery dog, Dutchess, greet guests upon arrival – including the furry kind. Dogs are welcome in the tasting room, where they can try on winery-branded dog collars for purchase while their owners taste estate zinfandel and other small-production wines. The back patio and lawn offer a grassy, sunny spot to nibble on cheese and charcuterie, and play catch, while overlooking Dry Creek Valley.
A rustically elegant place that produces a wide range of wine, [Dutcher Crossing] carries the Zin torch with aplomb. Dry Creek Valley is arguably the best place for Zinfandel in northern California and this [2014 Maple Vineyard Zinfandel] captures a sense of place. It is balanced with dark fruit flavors, intense spicy aromas, and richness that wraps your palate in pleasure. Make a stop there on your next trip to Sonoma and taste through a variety of their Zins. Tell them Leslie sent you.
Winemaker Kerry Damskey added 25 percent Syrah to this [2014 Proprietor’s Reserve] Cabernet Sauvignon, infusing a meaty, smoky character to the wine — a culinary complement to grilled meat. Black cherry, cedar, barrel spice and gentle leafy herbs linger on the long, structured finish.
[2015 Proprietor’s Reserve] Zinfandel is a beautiful deep red with purple hues. The Petite Sirah brings significance and depth to the wine while allowing the classic flavors of Zinfandel to shine through. Aromas of ripe berry and fresh plum give way to black pepper, cinnamon, clove, and oak. The palate comes alive with intense red fruit accompanied by mouth coating tannins and a balanced acidity that lingers.
Dutcher Crossing specializes in juicy, peppery Zinfandel, and black fruit-filled Cabernet. Both are delicious, but their Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc is a special find. With 90 percent of the fruit coming from Russian River, and partially barrel fermented using native yeasts, the textured wine highlights honey, stone fruit, and lime leaf.
