HEALDSBURG, Calif. – AUGUST 24, 2017 – Exactly 45 years ago today, Dry Creek Vineyard Founder and California wine pioneer David Stare received the necessary permits to build the first new winery in Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, following Prohibition. Founded in 1972, Dry Creek Vineyard paved the way for a renaissance of winemaking and viticulture in the Dry Creek Valley.
This history of the multigenerational family winery is full of notable firsts within the industry:
- 1972: First winery built in the Dry Creek Valley following Prohibition.
- 1972: First to plant Sauvignon Blanc in the Dry Creek Valley.
- 1972: First to label a wine as Fumé Blanc in Sonoma County.
- 1982: First to display a sailboat on a wine label, a bold and daring move beyond the norm.
- 1983: First to pioneer Dry Creek Valley’s American Viticultural Area (AVA) status.
- 1985: First to label a wine as “Old Vine” Zinfandel, setting off an industry trend.
- 1987: First to label a wine as a “Meritage”, illustrating the family’s love of Bordeaux blending.
- 1997: First to release a “Heritage Clone” Zinfandel from pre-Prohibition vine cuttings.
- 2017: First to receive a U.S. patent for printing cork sustainability information on a cork.
- 2017: First to release 45th consecutive vintage of Dry Chenin Blanc in the United States.
Stare’s daughter, Kim Stare Wallace, is currently the President of Dry Creek Vineyard and continues to lead with a “no compromises” philosophy producing appellation-focused, terroir-driven, varietal-defining wines.
“Competition is at an all-time high in our industry, so being true to our wines, our vineyards and the terroir of our region is more important than ever before,” said Stare Wallace. “Instead of getting sucked into the increasing corporatization of the industry, we are bucking the trends and are an increasingly rare breed.”
Dry Creek Vineyard is Dry Creek Valley’s flagship winery located in the heart of Sonoma County, California. Kim Stare Wallace, serves as President overseeing a successful family winery that includes 185 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards. Named one of the Top 100 wineries of 2015 by Wine & Spirits Magazine, the winery is also 100% Certified Sustainable. Dry Creek Vineyard proudly produces delicious Dry Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Meritage blends. To learn more, visit www.drycreekvineyard.com.
