Winegrowers

There are over 4,000 acres of vineyards in the Petaluma Gap, ranging in size from backyard plots to hundreds of acres. Many varietals are grown, but this cool-climate area is known for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. Gap growers are dedicated to farming sustainably, and many are devoted to organic viticulture. All see themselves as stewards of the land, hoping the vineyards they’ve planted and nurtured will endure for many generations. The brave men and women of the Gap tend vines that are engulfed by heavy morning fog, battered by afternoon wind, and threatened by fall rain as the grapes slowly ripen. They put heart and soul into this difficult farming. Why do they do it? Their reward is the exceptional wine — elegant Pinot Noir, lively Chardonnay, and intense Syrah that rivals the best of the Rhone Valley. This is why they call themselves “winegrowers.”