8757 Green Valley Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472

Website: http://www.sebastopolvineyards.com/

Whenever I have some free time on my hands I am always looking for ways to read or learn more about wine.  I want to absorb everything I can about the wine regions, grape varietals, and history of wine.  I’ve come to the realization that I like learning about wine more than drinking it.  After having been to so many different wineries, I have built an appreciation for the source of the grapes and the grape growers.  I started off with a big misconception as a novice wine drinker that most wineries grow their own grapes.  In actuality, a lot of wineries in California purchase at least a portion of their grapes from other grape growers.

My interest in the grape growers is what drove me to visit Dutton Estate.  Time and again I see Dutton Ranch listed on the labels of various wines.  So, I decided to go to the source.  Dutton Estate is owned by Joe and Tracy Dutton. Joe grew up on the Dutton family ranch in the town of Graton. His parents started the ranch in 1964. Today, Joe is co-owner of the ranch which consists of 1150 acres of grapes within the Green Valley, Russian River Valley, and Sonoma Coast appellations. Dutton Ranch sells their grapes to approximately 60 wineries. Joe and Tracy started the Dutton Estate Winery in 1994. Tracy who also grew up in the area and helped to run her family’s farm, is now the President of Dutton Estate Winery and oversees the daily operations while Joe oversees Dutton Ranch.

Dutton Estate Tasting Room

Visiting Dutton Estate Winery was like stopping in at a relative’s family home. There were a few steps leading to the wooden door entrance decorated with a wreath. I could see there was a patio out back with a table and chairs. When we stepped inside it felt like we were walking into a dining room. There was a fireplace in one corner and a wooden hutch on the opposite side. Wooden floors, fabric curtains, and a couple of small tables with cushioned chairs added to the homey feel. To the left was an open area with the tasting bar a family picture of Joe, Tracy, and their three daughters hanging on the wall. We were the only people there at the time, likely because it was right after they opened in the morning.

Dutton Estate Winery

A guy greeted us and asked if we would like to have some small bites to pair with our wine tasting. We declined at first saying we just finished breakfast, but then another woman came out from the back room where she was preparing the food and encouraged us to do it. I’m so glad we did because the bites paired perfectly with the wines. I enjoyed all of the wines we tried, which consisted of a couple Sauvignon Blancs, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and a late harvest Syrah.  A couple other people walked in as we were finishing up our tasting.

These are the types of wineries I really love to visit because it makes me appreciate the wine so much more when I’m learning about the people who are growing the perfect grapes, making the wine, and then matching the wine with the right food to accentuate its true qualities. We had a nice, quiet tasting as if we were invited guests. I have so much gratitude now for where the grapes come from when I see Dutton Ranch on a label.

Back patio at Dutton Estate