Steve Kistler and Mark Bixler founded Kistler Vineyards in 1978, a winemaker and a chemist convinced that California could make site-specific wines to stand beside the great whites of Burgundy. Bixler, who had taught chemistry at Fresno State, ran the business and the lab, while Kistler guided the vineyards and cellar. Their early vintages included Cabernet Sauvignon alongside Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but the two Burgundian grapes soon became the whole story. Bill Price, owner of the Durell Vineyard, began working with the winery in 1998 and bought into Kistler in 2008; Kistler still bottles a Durell Vineyard Chardonnay from his fruit. The founding approach has held for decades: rather than buy grapes, Kistler plants vineyards hand in hand with trusted growers, keeps yields low, and picks at night to protect freshness and natural acidity.
Kistler Vineyard Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley: the founders' original planting, dry farmed in deep red volcanic soil just shy of 1,800 feet in the Mayacamas, bottled on its own since 1986.
Vine Hill Vineyard Chardonnay, Russian River Valley: grown in pure Goldridge sand around the winery north of Graton and bottled since 1991, pairing well-defined richness with a sharp mineral lift.
McCrea Vineyard Chardonnay, Sonoma Mountain: from the eastern bench of Sonoma Mountain, estate-bottled since 1988 and one of Kistler's more elegantly scented Chardonnays, with citrus blossom aromas and lovely acidity.
Trenton Roadhouse Vineyard Chardonnay, Russian River Valley: the finest-grained Goldridge sand of Kistler's sites gives this vineyard designate, bottled since 2009, a resounding minerality over green orchard fruit.
Silver Belt Vineyard Pinot Noir Cuvée Natalie, Sonoma Coast: iron-rich, gravelly soils have supplied this elegant Pinot Noir of wild red berries and rose petal since 2006.
Visits take place at the Trenton Roadhouse, a restored farmhouse among the vines at the southern end of the Russian River Valley, where the river turns west toward the sea. Beside the pond, a barn rebuilt with wood salvaged from the original now hosts private gatherings and seasonal events. Tastings are seated and personal, offered by appointment Tuesday through Saturday for guests 21 and older, with start times from 10 AM to 2 PM. Choose five wines, four single-vineyard Chardonnays and a library Pinot Noir ($175); seven wines ($195); or seven single-vineyard Chardonnays ($195). Each runs 60 to 75 minutes for up to 12 guests. Groups of 12 to 40 can book a 90-minute private reception with a tasting menu from local artisan chefs ($250). Reserve through the request form on Kistler's Visit page or by emailing the reservations team.
