Hook and Ladder

Specialties

On 375 acres situated in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley, our vineyards produce cool climate grapes widely recognized as some of the finest in the world. Grape growers of the early 1900’s recognized the sites of our vineyards as being uniquely suited for wine grape growing. Building on their knowledge and experience, we have matched the soil and climate of each parcel with the varietals most likely to achieve its full potential.

History

Established in 2003.

In 1970, San Francisco firefighter Cecil De Loach and his wife Christine

staked their claim in the wine grape business by purchasing 24 acres of old-​vine Zinfandel in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. In the early seventies, the De Loaches decided to acquire additional vineyard land.

For several years they watched others make notable wine from their grapes before making the decision to produce wine under the De Loach label in 1975.

More than three decades later, Cecil and Christine sold that label and have continued their winemaking skills at the helm of a small family winery that employs a simple philosophy — craft exceptional wines, from the highest quality grapes, that people love to drink.

We consider each step of the winemaking process an opportunity to showcase the distinctive flavors contained within our carefully cultivated grapes. Every bottle of wine is a worthy representation of the best effort from each and every person at Hook and Ladder Vineyards and Winery.

Meet the Business Owner

Cecile DeLoach D.

Business Owner

For more than three decades, Cecil De Loach has farmed grapes in the Russian River Valley. He’s made wine from his grapes for just as long. There are those who have invested more time in the grapes of the Russian River Valley and made wine here for longer. But few have made such and impact on proving this region’s unqualified suitability for producing wines of world-​class quality.

It was in the midst of a 16-​year career as a San Francisco Fireman that Cecil discovered the Russian River Valley and grape growing. In 1970 he and wife Christine began looking for a vineyard where they could create a second career for themselves outside San Francisco.

They found Louis Barbieri’s twenty-​four acre vineyard west of Santa Rosa. The vineyard held vines planted in 1905 and 1927, but Barbieri couldn’t entice his family to farm the vineyard. He needed a buyer and Cecil wanted a vineyard. This purchase would be the first of over 900 acres of Russian River Valley vineyards Cecil would farm over the