Tin Cross Vineyards

Tin Cross Vineyards

Tin Cross Vineyards lies 1,600 to 2,450 feet above the Alexander Valley floor, high on Pine Mountain where it straddles the border of Sonoma and Mendocino counties. This historic site was first planted to wine grapes in 1855, when homesteaders began to settle the craggy peaks of the Mayacamas, the mountain range that flanks Napa Valley to the west. The homesteaders could claim as many as 160 acres at a time from the United States government, establishing ownership by purchase, or in lieu of military pension, or by settling, or "squatting." Tin Cross Vineyards sits on what remains of two adjacent 160-acre lots settled by George M. Allen and his son, Samuel G. Allen - both of whom planted vines. This territory was truly part of the Wild West, and the homesteaders had to be ready to defend their property from outlaws at every turn. Legend has it that at one point Samuel G. Allen was deputized by the local sheriff and sent off in pursuit of "Black Bart," the notorious stagecoach bandit who often left behind a poem at the scene of his crime.

Our labor-intensive winegrowing on Pine Mountain today offers a glimpse of how demanding the region must have been to the early homesteaders. However, the staggering vistas, the plentiful fresh water, and the promise of nurturing crops make it easy to understand why the challenge held such appeal.

Situated well above the fog line, Tin Cross Vineyards enjoys warmer nights and cooler days than vineyards on the valley floor, giving our vines a long, consistent growing season for slow, full ripening of the fruit. And while Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals struggle to establish roots in the rocky soils of our dramatic slopes, this beneficial stress yields smaller clusters of tiny berries with uncommonly concentrated varietal character. Our commitment to organic farming honors the legacy of Tin Cross Vineyards and allows the terroir of this distinctive estate to shine through.