J. Rickards Winery is a working family farm at the northern end of Alexander Valley: 45 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards on Chianti Mountain, including original Zinfandel vines planted in 1908 that still produce today. Jim and Eliza Rickards bought the ranch in 1976 and revived the old vineyard before adding Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Bordeaux varieties; the couple began making their own small lots of wine in 1991, and the winery itself launched in 2005. The Darn Fine Brown Barn, built in 1997 to house tractors and gradually evolved into the tasting room, anchors a casual, deeply hospitable visit experience that has become quietly noteworthy among Alexander Valley regulars.
Old Vine Zinfandel, Alexander Valley: an estate field blend from 100-plus-year-old vines (planted in 1908), mostly Zinfandel with Petite Sirah and Mataro; deep, structured and supple.
Five Sisters Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley: an estate Bordeaux blend (Cabernet with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec) that has earned Best of Class and a 96-point score.
Brown Barn Petite Sirah, Alexander Valley: a gold-medal estate Petite Sirah, dark and powerfully tannic.
Croft Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Alexander Valley: a Double Gold–winning estate white, crisp and aromatic.
Salem Ranch Viognier: an aromatic white from the estate's holdings; the winery also bottles a well-regarded Sémillon.
Picnic Box Lunches: box lunches from Big John's Market Deli in Healdsburg, waiting at the winery with a shady spot reserved for the view and wines by the glass, 48 hours' notice.
Cabernet Sauvignon from the ranch also goes to neighboring Silver Oak, while the family keeps its own label small, at about 5,000 cases a year. Jim, long devoted to sustainable viticulture, serves on the board of directors of the Sonoma County Winegrowers.
The estate sits at the foot of Chianti Mountain on the Cloverdale side of Alexander Valley, far enough north that visitors rarely arrive by accident, which suits the family-run character of the place. Tastings are casual: drop in or call ahead Monday through Saturday, with a reservation needed only for groups of nine or more, and outdoor seating both covered and open under valley views. The wine cave is genuinely worth the visit: cool, dim, and a welcome contrast to the warm Cloverdale afternoons. Wines are hand-crafted in small lots, with Zinfandel from the 1908 block forming the historical heart of the lineup alongside Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Carignane, and a range of small-production whites. The flight fee is waived with a wine purchase or a club signup. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, and vineyard tours can be added to any reservation.
