Founded in 2005 by Richard Arrowood — one of California's most celebrated winemakers — as his personal statement estate on Moon Mountain, adjoining historic Monte Rosso. Brion and Ronda Wise of neighboring B. Wise acquired it in 2020; winemaker Massimo Monticelli sustains Arrowood's structured, age-worthy Cabernet from certified-organic vineyards.
Founded in 2005 by Richard Arrowood — one of California's most celebrated winemakers and the founder of Arrowood Winery — Amapola Creek was his personal statement estate on Moon Mountain, a final-chapter project on volcanic soils adjoining the historic Monte Rosso Vineyard. Brion and Ronda Wise of neighboring B. Wise acquired the estate in 2020 when Arrowood retired; he stayed on as consultant. Today the wines are made by Massimo Monticelli of the B. Wise winemaking team, preserving Arrowood's structured, age-worthy approach to Cabernet from certified organic vineyards. A true winemaker's winery in every sense.
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Moon Mountain District — The flagship: an old-world-styled, organically farmed hillside Cabernet from the estate vineyard.
Estate Syrah, Sonoma Valley — A dark, peppery estate Syrah reflecting founder Richard Arrowood's Rhône leanings.
Monte Rosso Vineyard Zinfandel, Moon Mountain District — Bold, brambly Zinfandel from the neighboring historic Monte Rosso vineyard.
Cuvée Alis, Sonoma Valley — A Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre Rhône red blend; aromatic and savory.
Founded by legendary winemaker Richard Arrowood (and his wife Alis), Amapola Creek is a small, organically farmed Moon Mountain estate of roughly 3,000 cases, focused on Cabernet, Syrah and Rhône reds plus a rosé. It is now owned by neighbor Brion Wise of B. Wise Vineyards, with Arrowood's old-world style carried forward.
Amapola Creek farms about 20 acres of certified organic vineyards on the sun-washed western slope of the Mayacamas Range, adjacent to the historic Monte Rosso Vineyard. The red iron-oxide soils — the same volcanic legacy that's produced superb Cabernet for over a century — are farmed under viticulturist Phil Coturri. Annual production is roughly 2,000 cases, focused on Cabernet Sauvignon alongside Rhône reds, Syrah, Grenache, and Petite Sirah. Two visit options: the Tasting Lounge in Kenwood (shared with B. Wise, 9380 Sonoma Highway, walk-ins welcome) or the private Lodge on the Moon Mountain estate (by appointment, $65 per guest, 90 minutes, up to 10 people; the remote mountain location is not accessible by rideshare).
Amapola Creek wines are now made by the B. Wise winemaking team — a rotating consultancy of Massimo Monticelli, Mark Herold, and Julien Fayard — with founder Richard Arrowood continuing as consultant. Arrowood, who launched Amapola Creek in 2005 as the personal-statement final chapter of his 54-year Sonoma career (Korbel 1965; Château St. Jean's first winemaker 1974–1990; founder of Arrowood Vineyards 1986), sold the estate to neighboring Moon Mountain proprietor Brion Wise in January 2020 and retired. He continues to consult on the Amapola Creek wines, ensuring the program retains the old-world Bordeaux-style Cabernet sensibility he established. The 20-acre certified organic Moon Mountain estate adjoins B. Wise's vineyards, with master viticulturist Phil Coturri leading farming across the combined 240-acre property. The portfolio focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon alongside Rhône reds — Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah — plus Chardonnay, with annual production around 5,000 cases.
Richard Arrowood founded Amapola Creek in 2005, a late-career passion project from one of Sonoma’s most decorated winemakers. After building Château St. Jean’s early reputation and later launching his own Arrowood Vineyards, Arrowood and his wife Alis created Amapola Creek on a rugged, organically farmed estate in the Mayacamas foothills above Sonoma Valley, devoted to mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Syrah. The name honors the wild golden poppies — ‘amapola’ — that bloom across the hillsides. B. Wise Vineyards acquired the estate in 2020, but the Arrowood legacy remains woven into its mountain reds.
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Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Moon Mountain District — The flagship: an old-world-styled, organically farmed hillside Cabernet from the estate vineyard.
Estate Syrah, Sonoma Valley — A dark, peppery estate Syrah reflecting founder Richard Arrowood's Rhône leanings.
Monte Rosso Vineyard Zinfandel, Moon Mountain District — Bold, brambly Zinfandel from the neighboring historic Monte Rosso vineyard.
Cuvée Alis, Sonoma Valley — A Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre Rhône red blend; aromatic and savory.
Founded by legendary winemaker Richard Arrowood (and his wife Alis), Amapola Creek is a small, organically farmed Moon Mountain estate of roughly 3,000 cases, focused on Cabernet, Syrah and Rhône reds plus a rosé. It is now owned by neighbor Brion Wise of B. Wise Vineyards, with Arrowood's old-world style carried forward.
Founded in 2005 by Richard Arrowood — one of California's most celebrated winemakers and the founder of Arrowood Winery — Amapola Creek was his personal statement estate on Moon Mountain, a final-chapter project on volcanic soils adjoining the historic Monte Rosso Vineyard. Brion and Ronda Wise of neighboring B. Wise acquired the estate in 2020 when Arrowood retired; he stayed on as consultant. Today the wines are made by Massimo Monticelli of the B. Wise winemaking team, preserving Arrowood's structured, age-worthy approach to Cabernet from certified organic vineyards. A true winemaker's winery in every sense.
Amapola Creek farms about 20 acres of certified organic vineyards on the sun-washed western slope of the Mayacamas Range, adjacent to the historic Monte Rosso Vineyard. The red iron-oxide soils — the same volcanic legacy that's produced superb Cabernet for over a century — are farmed under viticulturist Phil Coturri. Annual production is roughly 2,000 cases, focused on Cabernet Sauvignon alongside Rhône reds, Syrah, Grenache, and Petite Sirah. Two visit options: the Tasting Lounge in Kenwood (shared with B. Wise, 9380 Sonoma Highway, walk-ins welcome) or the private Lodge on the Moon Mountain estate (by appointment, $65 per guest, 90 minutes, up to 10 people; the remote mountain location is not accessible by rideshare).
Amapola Creek wines are now made by the B. Wise winemaking team — a rotating consultancy of Massimo Monticelli, Mark Herold, and Julien Fayard — with founder Richard Arrowood continuing as consultant. Arrowood, who launched Amapola Creek in 2005 as the personal-statement final chapter of his 54-year Sonoma career (Korbel 1965; Château St. Jean's first winemaker 1974–1990; founder of Arrowood Vineyards 1986), sold the estate to neighboring Moon Mountain proprietor Brion Wise in January 2020 and retired. He continues to consult on the Amapola Creek wines, ensuring the program retains the old-world Bordeaux-style Cabernet sensibility he established. The 20-acre certified organic Moon Mountain estate adjoins B. Wise's vineyards, with master viticulturist Phil Coturri leading farming across the combined 240-acre property. The portfolio focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon alongside Rhône reds — Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah — plus Chardonnay, with annual production around 5,000 cases.
Richard Arrowood founded Amapola Creek in 2005, a late-career passion project from one of Sonoma’s most decorated winemakers. After building Château St. Jean’s early reputation and later launching his own Arrowood Vineyards, Arrowood and his wife Alis created Amapola Creek on a rugged, organically farmed estate in the Mayacamas foothills above Sonoma Valley, devoted to mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Syrah. The name honors the wild golden poppies — ‘amapola’ — that bloom across the hillsides. B. Wise Vineyards acquired the estate in 2020, but the Arrowood legacy remains woven into its mountain reds.
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