Perched on a bluff overlooking the Russian River Valley is Healdsburg’s Ketcham Estate, a woman-owned and managed boutique winery that is known for exceptional Pinot Noir.
While known for their Pinot Noir, Ketcham also makes a variety of award-winning Chardonnays, Rosés and Viogniers.
I had the pleasure of tasting a variety of their wines as I recently attended a Ketcham “Wine Salon” that took place at Ketcham’s chateau overlooking their vineyard.
The event brought together women in the wine industry for an evening of fantastic Ketcham wines, tasty bites to eat and conversation that flowed as well as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
While the event showcased Ketcham’s depth of wine selection, it also gave me a chance to meet Ketcham owner, Allie Ketcham as well as its Director of Happiness, Renee Graves. From them, I learned that Ketcham has some of the oldest Pinot Noir vines in the Russian River Valley – vines that date back 50 years to the 1970s.
These half-century old vines produce a unique fruit that Ketcham uses to produce a distinct Pinot Noir unlike others. While some other vineyards would do away with vines of this age due to a dwindling crop, Ketcham refuses to tear these out. The result speaks for itself!
If you’re seeking a wine stay in the Russian River Valley, Ketcham Estate has a one bedroom loft that overlooks the vineyard and the surrounding estate. Complete with a kitchen, it’s easy to spend an extended period of time there while exploring the wine country.
In the evenings, there is a deck from which you can enjoy Ketcham’s delicious wines and watch the sky change colors with the sunset. In the mornings, wake up to refreshing fog rolling down the coast mountain range to the west.
Overall, the combination of delicious wines and warm hospitality made for a fantastic experience. Ketcham Estate’s Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays were exquisite and the passion Allie and Renee show for their wine is clear when you savor a glass – or two!
