Sonoma County, CA — April 2025 — At Iron Horse Vineyards, sustainability is more than a practice — it’s a way of life. Nestled in the heart of Green Valley in the Russian River Valley, Iron Horse is celebrating Earth Day not just as a date on the calendar, but as a daily commitment to preserving and protecting the land, water, wildlife, and community that make this estate so special.
From our vineyard rows to the creek beds, stewardship is woven into every part of Iron Horse. It’s in the return of native wetlands, the thriving habitat for Coho salmon in Green Valley Creek, and the owl boxes standing as quiet guardians of the estate. It’s in the centuries-old oaks that line the winery road and the vibrant cover crops carpeting the hills each spring.
This year brought an exciting milestone: survey crews from Sonoma Water recorded 38 Coho salmon nests (redds) in the Green Valley watershed — the highest count since 2001. With favorable spring conditions, the next generation of salmon is thriving, a hopeful sign for ongoing recovery efforts and a testament to the power of conservation.
“Everywhere you look is sheer beauty. Of course, we want to take care of it,” says CEO Joy Sterling. “We don’t follow one philosophy — we follow our hearts. Sustainability is about doing the right thing, always striving to do better, and making decisions with future generations in mind.”
Iron Horse farms 264 acres of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir across seven undulating knolls. At the heart of it all is the original Victorian home, where Co-Founder Audrey Sterling, 94, still lives, surrounded by gardens, orchards, and the vineyard that has shaped generations of the Sterling family.
The estate proudly embraces the UC Davis definition of sustainability: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. For Iron Horse, this means protecting the environment, supporting their extended team, investing in community, and contributing to global conservation efforts.
One such contribution is Ocean Reserve, a special cuvée supporting marine protection initiatives. This year’s beneficiary is Heal the Bay, aiding recovery from wildfire-related runoff in Los Angeles. “The ocean is the source of our climate, the character of our wines, and the health of our planet,” says Sterling. “Its protection is deeply personal.”
Certified sustainable and passionately committed to continual improvement, Iron Horse Vineyards invites everyone to join in celebrating Earth Day — not just on April 22, but every day. Because caring for the land isn’t just about making exceptional wines. It’s about ensuring that the magic of this place endures — for the children, the grandchildren, and the great-grandchildren still to come.
About Iron Horse Vineyards
Iron Horse Vineyards is a pioneering, family-owned winery in the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley, known for producing elegant sparkling wines and estate-bottled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With deep roots in sustainability, Iron Horse champions conservation as a core value and proudly contributes to local and global environmental efforts.
Instagram: @ironhorsevyds | Facebook: @IronHorseVineyards
