Stuhlmuller Vineyards

Specialties

The 150-​acre Stuhlmuller Vineyard is located in northern Sonoma County, where the Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River valleys come together. With vines planted at the convergence of these three, highly regarded Sonoma appellations, Stuhlmuller Vineyards occupies a unique place in the county’s viticulture. Located at the southwestern edge of the Alexander Valley, along the banks of the Russian River, Stuhlmuller Vineyards possesses gravel, clay, and volcanic soils. The geology of this terrain was formed during thousands of years of alluvial fan movement and flooding. Today, these ancient soils, along with the area’s distinctive microclimate, provide the ideal environment for growing world-​class Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel.

From a hillside on the western edge of the property, a fourth Sonoma County appellation, Chalk Hill, is visible. On summer mornings, fog rolls in through the Chalk Hill gap where the river makes its way southwest through Alexander Valley. As afternoon temperatures rise, the fog burns off. Next, maritime breezes from the Pacific Ocean enter the gap, and the vines cool off once again. This typically means a temperature drop of five degrees or more in the late afternoon, a cooling phenomenon referred to as the «Venturi Effect.» Stuhlmuller Vineyards is planted to 90 acres of Chardonnay and 57 acres of the Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot. The remaining three acres are planted to Zinfandel and Petite Sirah.

History

Established in 1982.

In 1982, Roger and Carmen Stuhlmuller purchased a 150-​acre property located at the southwestern edge of the Alexander Valley. Impressed by the quality of the 90-​acres of original 1970’s vine plantings, the Stuhlmullers realized the remarkable viticultural potential of the land. Bordered to the east by the Russian River, the vineyard is situated on a unique geological site that is part river bench and part hillside. There, the vines benefit from gravel, clay, and volcanic soils, formed during thousands of years of alluvial fan movement and flooding, as well as from rocky, uplifted bench land soils that comprise the hillside sections of the vineyard. These ancient soils combined with the area’s climatic conditions, including clockwork fog and cool nighttime temperatures, yield fruit with a signature mineral quality, good acidity and complex flavors.

Meet the Business Owner

Fritz S.

Business Owner

Fritz Stuhlmuller’s introduction to wine occurred years before the wine business became his passion and profession. As a teen, Fritz spent weekends, vacations, and summers at his family’s vineyard property in the Alexander Valley, where he was exposed to the challenges and excitement of viticulture. Working amongst the vines, Fritz gained an early appreciation for the hands-​on commitment required to produce superior wine grapes.

Working with winemaker Leo Hansen, Fritz has brought the same hands-​on, artisan approach to Stuhlmuller Vineyards winemaking that his family has always applied to grape growing. In addition to his active role in both the vineyards and the winery, Fritz oversees all sales and marketing, including the managing and distribution of 12,000 cases throughout California and 20 other states.

Stuhlmuller Vineyards also recommends

Costeaux French Bakery & Café

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reviews

Bagerier

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Fransk mat

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Kaffe & te

Fritz S. says,

«If your feeling famished and are looking for a bite in the area. Try one of our favorite spots for lunch, at Costeaux French Bakery and Café»