History

The story begins in 2000.  Like most very good, or very bad, ideas, this one began over beers in a bar.   Bruce and Randy were attending a meeting in Atlanta, taking a break in the hotel bar, when Randy told Bruce of his idea to develop a vineyard in the foothills of El Dorado county.   Only months earlier, Bruce had been looking at property in the area for a completely different reason and knew of a parcel that might work for a vineyard project.   A few weeks later, once back in California, they visited and walked the property.  It seemed perfect.   Westernly facing slopes situated canyonside with constant air flow, good soil drainage, and full sun exposure.  They had the soil tested and the results came back positive.  But with no water (or power or roads or buildings or anything else,  for that matter),  it would be impossible to plant a vineyard.   An offer was placed on the property contingent on getting water.  A well was drilled, water found and the development began.

We planted 6 acres of Syrah with the initial intention of growing and selling grapes.   The first harvest is traditionally a small, partial crop and ours was no different - not enough tonnage to sell, but too much to let go to waste.   So with that first harvest,  we experimented and made wine for the first time.  It was then that we had the epiphany:  it would be a lot more fun to make wine than grow grapes.  We self-educated ourselves in the science and art of winemaking and produced our first vintage in 2004 under our local High View Vineyards label.   It released in 2006, won a Gold  Medal at a regional competition, a Bronze Medal at a national competition, and sold out.  We've never looked back. 

Read about what we're doing Now.

Learn more about what we have planned In the Future.