The Longest-Tenured CCOF Certified Vineyard in Alexander Valley Celebrates a Quarter Century Of Sustainability
March 2, 2026 (Geyserville, CA) — Skipstone celebrates a quarter century of sustainability with the opening of its new winery. The Alexander Valley estate—located within the pending Pocket Peak AVA—has spent the past 25 years quietly building a model rooted in environmental stewardship, precision viticulture, and an unwavering commitment to place. The winery’s completion fulfills a long-held vision, offering visitors a unique, transparent look at Skipstone’s comprehensive winegrowing process, from the soil to the bottle.
“This winery represents the culmination of a vision that began more than 25 years ago,” said Fahri Diner, Founder and Proprietor of Skipstone. “From the outset, we envisioned an estate where sustainability wasn’t an initiative but a guiding principle. We can now bring organic farming, winemaking, and hospitality together in one place—offering a comprehensive experience that highlights how deeply we care for this land.”
Sustainability has been a foundational principle at Skipstone since its inception. The estate has been CCOF-certified organic since 2008, making it the longest-tenured CCOF vineyard in Alexander Valley. Under longtime Vineyard Manager Juan Alcantara, Skipstone’s farming practices include biodynamic methods, homemade biochar, native cover crops, and low-till practices that improve soil health, water retention, and an active microbiome. Throughout the 200-acre property, the estate sheep, raptor perches, owl and bluebird boxes, and habitat corridors support a thriving ecosystem—initiatives Diner made non-negotiable, reflecting his belief that long-term soil health benefits all—soil, vines, grapes, wine, and the people who farm it.
“Skipstone was an early adopter of organic vineyard farming when far fewer vineyards had committed to certified organic,” said April Vasquez, CCOF’s Chief Certification Officer. “Their long-standing dedication to certified organic practices, biodiversity, and transparency has made Skipstone a model for sustainable viticulture in Sonoma County—and an example that continues to resonate well beyond the region.”
A Winery Shaped by Stewardship
The winery is built with local materials, including stone harvested directly from the Skipstone estate and reclaimed wood slabs milled on-site by the Skipstone vineyard crew from fire-impacted trees on the property. Designed for functionality and efficiency, the winery building incorporates energy- and water-efficient systems, draws 100% of its energy from a 225-kW solar array, and features a living green roof that enhances biodiversity while providing natural insulation. The carefully designed architecture maximizes natural light, energy efficiency, and occupant comfort, while minimizing waste.
Skipstone’s intent was to put the vineyard front and center, making the building blend seamlessly into its surroundings as if it were an extension of the vineyard itself. The two-level building comprises 7,700 square feet (715 square meters) of mostly underground space dedicated to winemaking, with 2,500 square feet (232 square meters) of indoor hospitality space and an additional 5,100 square feet (474 square meters) of outdoor patio and living roof on the upper floor. The exterior palette—anchored by Skipstone’s estate stone and complemented by metal and glass—was selected for its restrained aesthetic and fire-resistant qualities. Echoing the design of The Residence at Skipstone, the tightly woven stonework creates a cohesive architectural and artistic dialogue across the estate.
In the upper hospitality space, reclaimed wood from the estate serves as an elegant accent throughout, providing a warm contrast to the surrounding stone. Guests are greeted outside, then enter the light-filled vestibule, where glass roll-up doors offer views of the winemaking space and process. They are then led upstairs for a private seated tasting, indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather and guest preferences. A wrap-around outdoor patio offers sweeping views of the stunning, amphitheater-like vineyard. The overall design achieves a lived-in yet elevated aesthetic—one that embodies Skipstone’s commitment to authenticity, sustainability, and a profound sense of place.
Winemaker Laura Jones, who previously worked at Aubert Wines and Cliff Lede Vineyards, leads the winemaking team alongside global consultant Philippe Melka, who has supported Skipstone’s winemaking since 2006. The winery is designed to support precision, small-lot winemaking. All fermentation tanks are sized to match individual vineyard blocks, allowing each parcel—from steep hillside Cabernet Sauvignon to benchland Viognier—to be vinified with careful attention. A combination of stainless steel and concrete tanks, each equipped with self-contained automated pump-over systems, enables controlled extraction tailored to each lot’s character. The fruit-processing line includes optical sorting, ensuring only perfectly selected berries proceed to fermentation. Together, these systems reinforce Skipstone’s dedication to creating wines of purity, focus, and site expression—enhancing what has always set the estate apart.
Vineyard Manager Juan Alcantara oversees an experienced in-house vineyard crew—many of whom have been with Skipstone for over a decade—ensuring consistency, accuracy, precision, and a deep understanding of the site’s unique qualities. With the addition of the winery, Skipstone now cultivates, harvests, ferments, and ages its wines entirely on the estate, achieving the full vertical integration and control the Diner family has envisioned for years.
Experiencing Skipstone
Skipstone offers private tastings of four wines for up to 12 guests, accompanied by bites from the estate’s culinary gardens and favorite local purveyors. Tastings are offered by appointment only, daily from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m for $125/person. With the new winery, Skipstone’s programming is expanding to reach audiences as diverse as the dedicated collector or the experiential traveler through experiences ranging from a casual communal Champagne brunch, comfort food paired with Skipstone wines, a cycling event, and luxurious wine dinners featuring rare bottles from both Skipstone’s and Diner’s private cellars. Please contact the winery at 707.433.9124 or info@skipstonewines.com to request a tasting or attend an event.
The Residence at Skipstone
Overlooking Alexander Valley and crafted sustainably from stone and reclaimed wood from the estate, the 8,300-square-foot (771-square-meter) Residence at Skipstone—once the home of Skipstone’s owners—invites guests to live the vintner’s life. Available by nightly, weekly, and monthly rental, The Residence comes with private chef access, farm-fresh provisions from the estate’s orchards and gardens, and a cellar filled with rare, aged Bordeaux and top California bottles, along with Skipstone wines. With five beautifully appointed rooms, The Residence offers full concierge service, expansive indoor-outdoor living spaces, and a pool overlooking the Mayacamas. It’s one of wine country’s most exclusive stays.
ABOUT SKIPSTONE
Founded by Fahri Diner in 2001, Skipstone produces limited-edition Bordeaux-style wines and blends from its certified-organic estate in Alexander Valley, located within the pending Pocket Peak appellation. The 200-acre (81-hectare) estate, just north of Healdsburg, includes a 27-acre (11-hectare) vineyard, a state-of-the-art winery, olive orchards, and the private Residence at Skipstone, which is available for overnight stays. The winery offers daily tastings by appointment only. For more information about Skipstone, please visit www.skipstonewines.com or call 707.433.9124.
