Río Este, Where Nature Leads the Way

For over 50 years, we’ve been pouring our hearts into Sonoma County, crafting wines that celebrate its incredible range of landscapes—from foggy valleys to golden hillsides. Our four Certified Sustainable Estate Vineyards—Behler, Wild Oak, Lagomarsino, and Río Este—each have their own personality. Today, we’re taking you on a trip to one of our youngest and most exciting vineyards: Río Este.

Tucked right up against the Russian River, Río Este is an 80-acre vineyard that quite literally lives in rhythm with the water. The river naturally nourishes the soil, so the vines don’t need much (if any!) irrigation—meaning they grow strong and balanced all on their own. Pretty amazing, right?

And here’s a fun fact: wild hogs wander through the vineyard like they own the place. But instead of being a nuisance, they actually help us out by aerating the soil and keeping the ecosystem thriving. Add in our no-till farming practices, and you’ve got one of the most sustainable, eco-friendly vineyards around.

The star of the show here? Pinot Noir. Planted to Wädenswil and French Clone 828, the fruit from Río Este is bursting with depth and energy—everything you love in a cool-climate Pinot. In fact, our 2022 Río Este Estate Pinot Noir was only the vineyard’s second-ever harvest, and it still wowed the judges with 93 points and a Gold Medal at the International Women’s Wine Competition. (Winemaker Katie Madigan might have had something to do with that, too!)

Río Este proves that sustainability and stellar wine go hand in hand. Every sip tells the story of the river, the land, and the little ecosystem that makes this vineyard so alive.

So next time you open a bottle of our Río Este Pinot, you’re not just tasting wine—you’re tasting the pure rhythm of Sonoma.