David Stare
Kim Stare Wallace
Fumé Blanc Pioneer
Loire Valley Chenin
Chardonnay Reborn
Zinfandel Specialist
Bordeaux Program
Vineyard Practices
Insectary Garden
Fish Habitat Restoration
Fumé Blanc is at the heart and soul of our family winery. In 1972, David Stare was the first person to plant Sauvignon Blanc in the Dry Creek Valley appellation. After 46 years, we continue to produce classically styled versions of Sauvignon Blanc that respect the founding style, while also innovating for the future.
Fumé Blanc is at the heart and soul of our family winery. In 1972, David Stare was the first person to plant Sauvignon Blanc in the Dry Creek Valley appellation. For nearly 50 years, we continue to produce classically styled versions of Sauvignon Blanc that respect the founding style, while also innovating for the future.
Our inspiration for the winery's flagship varietal can be directly attributed to the Loire Valley. Traveling through the vineyards of France, David Stare was beguiled by the classic wines of the region – refreshingly grassy and herbaceous Sancerre, subtle and evocative Pouilly Fumé, and the charming wines of Vouvray. He found a passion for Sauvignon Blanc, and his vague idea of starting a winery in California began to take shape. He vowed that his future winery's white wines Sauvignon Blanc wines would be fashioned according to the traditional Loire Valley standard.
Fumé Blanc à la Sancerre
Dry Creek Vineyard remains synonymous with Fumé Blanc and the Sauvignon Blanc varietal. The debut of our bold and assertive Sancerre-style wine from the 1972 vintage instantly spotlighted Dry Creek Vineyard as one of California's premier small wineries. Despite a strong track record of unerring success with Dry Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Merlot, our flagship wine continues to be Fumé Blanc.
Dry Creek Vineyard has always celebrated the intrinsically refreshing character of the Sauvignon Blanc grape. Because our wines are modeled after the assertively herbaceous wines of Sancerre, Dry Creek Vineyard never subdues inherent varietal characteristics with extreme canopy manipulation or use of oak barrels. While other wineries produce Sauvignon Blanc in the Chardonnay model, Dry Creek Vineyard prefers to emphasize genuine varietal integrity by utilizing stainless steel tanks to preserve the natural freshness and clean acidity of the grape.
David Stare founded the Society of Blancs in 1989 to provide education and promotional support for his perennially favorite wine. Fumé Blanc offers an exceptional range of food compatibilities. Served chilled, it always satisfies, pairing well with oysters, seafood, goat cheese, smoked trout, vegetable paté, cold poached salmon with dill, or Tex-Mex grilled chicken.
Since 1972, we have produced Fumé Blanc – a Sauvignon Blanc wine at the heart and soul of our family winery. Modeled after the classic wines from the Loire Valley in France, our stainless steel fermented, no oak style Fumé Blanc is crisp, balanced and immediately drinkable. Winery founder David Stare was the first vintner to plant Sauvignon Blanc in the Dry Creek Valley, and we are proud to carry his legacy forward in producing this classic, dry, refreshing white wine.
Our Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc is yet another interpretation of this expressive variety. In crafting this wine, the second generation looked to several distinct vineyard sites in the Dry Creek Valley. The goal was to focus on the regional terroir and produce a wine that was not only true to the family's Fumé roots but also a statement of quality and commitment going forward. Blending in small amounts of Sauvignon Gris and Sauvignon Musqué gives the wine added depth and richness. Full bodied and expressive, this delicious Sauvignon Blanc veers more toward the tropical fruit side of the flavor spectrum making it an excellent accompaniment to the racy and lean style of the Fumé Blanc.
DCV3 Sauvignon Blanc
The DCV3 vineyard was our original planting of Sauvignon Blanc and the first in Dry Creek Valley. Long a component in our Reserve program, DCV3 is also the foundation of our flagship Sonoma County bottling. The DCV3 vineyard captured our attention in 1998. We were inspired to bottle a vineyard-designated version of this wine that showcases Dry Creek Valley's unique terroir. Harvested from our oldest estate Sauvignon Blanc vineyard, this wine is very limited in quantity. To ensure an absolute expression of varietal character, DCV3 Sauvignon Blanc is vinified without oak fermentation or aging.
Taylor's Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Musqué Clone)
Taylor's Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Musqué clone), named after Kim and Don Wallace's daughter, Taylor, represents an exciting new addition to our Sauvignon Blanc program. As one of only a handful of wineries to produce a Sauvignon Musqué, we continue to set the standard for Sauvignon Blanc in California. Produced exclusively from our Taylor's Vineyard estate in Dry Creek Valley, this single-vineyard wine is comprised of 100% Sauvignon Blanc (Musqué). This wine is also vinified without oak to preserve the unique nuances of the Musqué clone.
Soleil –
Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc
Soleil is our proprietary dessert wine. Crafted in a traditional Sauternes style, it is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. We chose "Soleil", French for "sun", as a nod to the inspiration for this wine. Soleil is produced only when mother nature gives us the perfect weather conditions. Botrytis Cinerea, known as "noble rot", is an essential part of this late harvest wine. The mold concentrates the sugar and acid in the grapes, giving us very sweet fruit. Harvesting the grapes is painstaking, and as a result, the wine is made in very limited quantities. Soleil is often referred to by its fans as "liquid honey" for its rich flavors and lingering finish. Soleil is perfect as an aperitif or with dessert.