Grapes have grown on the Notre Vue property since 1869, and commercially for wine since 1907; in 1972 it was established as Balverne Cellars. Bob and Renée Stein acquired the estate in 1992, and Renée Stein and Jared Stein own it today. The 710-acre estate straddles North Russian River Valley and Chalk Hill, with 350 acres permanently preserved as Forever Wild habitat. The winery produces a complete range of Bordeaux and Burgundian varieties from hillside blocks at 200 to 800 feet, inspired by the classic châteaux of Europe. Its sister label, Balverne, famous in the 1980s and poured at the White House more than once, was revived by the owners and shares the estate.
Notre Vue Estate Red, Chalk Hill: the flagship Bordeaux blend, emphasizing Malbec alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
Estate Cabernet Franc, Chalk Hill: a varietal Right Bank-style red, aromatic and structured.
Estate Merlot, Chalk Hill: supple and dark-fruited from the volcanic upper blocks.
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Chalk Hill: powerful and age-worthy, with Petit Verdot adding structure to the estate's reds.
Estate Chardonnay, Russian River Valley: from the cooler, fog-influenced lower estate; a Burgundian-style white. The estate also bottles a crisp Sauvignon Blanc.
Notre Vue is the estate's premium label. The Member for a Day package, which includes three bottles of wine, gives day guests the trail access that wine club members enjoy.
Notre Vue, French for "our view", occupies a sprawling hilltop property in Windsor with vineyards planted across both RRV and Chalk Hill microclimates, giving the estate an unusual range of varieties (sixteen in total). The hospitality model is distinctive: reservations bring guests to either the Block 23 Terrace or the Lakeside Pavilion, both overlooking estate vineyards and the 350 acres of protected open space that make up the rest of the property. Wine club members can book the Member Vista Deck and linger for the afternoon. Sustainable-certified farming, European-inspired winemaking focused on finesse and low intervention, and a hospitality pace closer to a country retreat than a production tasting room. Dog-friendly, family-friendly, and generously unhurried.
