Moon Mountain District rises steeply above the Sonoma Valley floor on the western slope of the Mayacamas Range. Above the fog line, the vines receive full sun from dawn to dusk while the nights drop sharply: a diurnal range that preserves acidity in grapes that accumulate considerable sugar and phenolic ripeness. The soils are ancient volcanic in origin, shallow and well-drained, forcing vines to work hard for water and nutrients. The result is small-berried, thick-skinned fruit of unusual concentration. Zinfandel has deep roots here: some of the oldest Zinfandel vines in Sonoma grow on these hillsides. Cabernet Sauvignon has increasingly defined the modern era.
Tasting fees are per person: $ under $25 · $$ $25–50 · $$$ $50–100 · $$$$ $100+. Reserve and seated experiences may run higher.
Founded in 1953 by Ambassador James D. Zellerbach to rival the Côte d'Or, pioneering stainless-steel fermentation and small French oak barrels in California. The Ambassador Vineyard holds some of North America's oldest producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines, on a 200-acre Moon Mountain estate with a tasting room on the mountain.
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Repris is crafted at the Moon Mountain Vineyard, a 300-acre property planted in the 1880s and once known as Glen Ellen Vineyard, then Carmenet. Jim Momtazee bought it in 2011 as a faithful steward. Winemaker Erich Bradley makes small-lot Bordeaux and Rhône wines from organic blocks above the fog line.
Mac McQuown, a Chalone investor since 1970, founded Stone Edge Farm in 2004 with former Mayacamas winemaker Jeff Baker. The estate spans 18 mountain acres atop Moon Mountain plus 4.5 on the valley floor, farmed organically by Phil Coturri. Alejandro Zimman is winemaker; two-Michelin-starred Enclos completes the program.
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