Skip to content
Checkout
Certified California Sustainable Vineyard & Winery
  • Wines
    • Shop All Wines
    • Our Wine Collections
      • Shop by Collection
        • Artisan Collection
        • Icon Collection
        • Appellation Collection
        • Classic Collection
          • Variety Sets & Bundles
    • Shop by Varietal
      • Zinfandel
      • Cabernet Sauvignon
      • Merlot
      • Pinot Noir
      • Other Reds
      • Port
        • The Ruby Allocation
      • White Wines
    • 90+ Point Wines
    • Large Formats
    • Wine Club Exclusives
    • Tasting Notes
    • Pairing Recipes
    • Save’N Sip Subscriptions
  • Gifts
    • Gift Sets & More
    • Etched Bottles
    • eGift Cards
  • Experiences
    • Plan a Visit
      • For the Foodie
        • 5 Wines with Fine Dining Pairings
        • 4 Wines with Hearty Snacks
      • For Groups
        • Seated with Food | Parties 4-12
        • Large Party Tastings | Parties 9-20
    • Wine & Food Pairings
      • Seasonal Menu
      • Reservations
    • Secrets of Sonoma: Culinary Pairings
    • Trolley Tours
    • Tasting Flights
    • Member Tastings
    • Group Tastings (Parties of 9+)
    • Visitation Guidelines
  • Wine Club
    • Memberships
    • Club Schedule
    • Wine Club Support
      • Account Assistance
        • How to Customize a Club Release
      • FAQ
    • Referral Program
    • Member Portal
      • Member Tastings
      • Club Release
        • Pick-up Reservations
      • Shop Club Exclusives
      • Benefits
        • Explore All Benefits
        • Entertainment & Lodging
  • Events
    • Schedule of Events
    • Private Events
    • Weddings
    • Virtual Tour
  • Our Story
    • Contact
    • Our Wines
      • Technical Info
      • Accolades
      • Pairing Recipes
    • Wine Journal
    • Our Team
    • Estate Vineyards
    • Trade
      • Trade Wines
      • Trade Tools & Assets
      • Find Retailer
      • Importers
      • Wholesale Contact
    • Sustainability
    • Career Opportunities

Other News

Young vines at St. Francis Winery's Wild Oak Vineyard

Spring in the Vineyard:
Everything is Happening… FAST

St. Francis Winery official sponsor of the 2026 Golden State Storm season

Something New is Coming to Your Wine Club Benefits

vineyard workers preparing for Spring

Wild Oak Vineyard Update:
Winter/Spring 2026 Edition

Newsweek Best Winery and Best Wine Tour

Celebrating the Best:
St. Francis Earns Newsweek National Recognition

News & Updates

What's happening at St. Francis Winery

What a great start to 2024!

What a great start to the 2024 Vintage!
  • February 1, 2024

Our winery has been abuzz with activity as we move into the 2024 vintage, and we’re excited to share updates from our vineyard, cellar, winery, and more with you!

In Sonoma County, winter has brought mild weather and above-average rainfall, though less than the previous year. As early spring approaches, we anticipate a timely budbreak and hope for an early end to any late winter frost, fostering strong new canes in our vineyards.

The vineyard team has been busy preparing all of our estate vineyards for the next growing season by pruning and training the vine canes, cultivating new cover crops, and nurturing some of our newest plantings.

Winter Pruning and Cane Training

Vineyard Workers

Pruning grapevines and cane training during the winter in the vineyard are crucial practices that significantly influence the health and productivity of the vines. This dormant season intervention allows vineyard managers to shape and guide the growth of grapevines, optimizing their structure for the upcoming growing season. Pruning grapevines involves: 

  • Selecting and securing the strongest shoots 
  • Promoting proper airflow 
  • Sunlight exposure 
  • Even distribution of grape clusters 

Cane training, on the other hand, involves strategically positioning and securing one-year-old canes to encourage fruitful bud development, simplifying vine canopy management.  

These winter practices contribute to the grapevines’ overall health and play a pivotal role in maximizing grape quality and yield, ultimately influencing the character and flavor profile of the wines you love. 

NextSpectacular News for Our Port Wines!Next

Events

Flavors of Spain

Flavors of Spain

Mamma Mia performance header

Transcendence Theater Presents MAMMA MIA!

The winemakers and vineyard managment team of St. Francis Winery

Behind the Vines

Sip & Solve Trivia Night

Sip & Solve Trivia Night

Explore our Sonoma Wine Journal

St. Francis Best Winery and Tasting Room 2026

More Than an Award-Winning Winery:
Discover Why Guests Keep Coming Back to St. Francis

Wine and Food
Forbes feature on St. Francis Winrey Chef Peter Janiak

Chef Peter Janiak Is Rewriting the Wine Country Table

Travel & Tourism
Venture into the vineyards on the Tour de St. Francis

Roll Through the Vines
Why the Tour de St. Francis Is the Best Wine Tour in Sonoma County

Travel & Tourism
Newsweek Best Winery and Best Wine Tour

Celebrating the Best:
St. Francis Earns Newsweek National Recognition

Travel & Tourism
St. Francis Winery official sponsor of the 2026 Golden State Storm season

From the Vineyard to the End Zone:
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards Partners with the Golden State Storm

Sonoma County, Travel & Tourism
Mustard flowers in bloom at St. Francis Winery

The Chill Season Is the Sweet Spot: Winter in Sonoma Wine Country

Wine and Food
St, Francis Brut Sparkling Wine

Introducing the all new
2023 St. Francis Brut Sparkling Wine

  • Trade
  • Accolades
  • Find Retailer
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Accessibility
100 Pythian Road at Hwy. 12 Santa Rosa, CA 95409
+1 (707) 833-0242
Open Daily | 10 AM – 5 PM | Holiday Hours
© 2026 St. Francis Winery & Vineyards. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy