Quivira is one of Dry Creek Valley's pioneering biodynamic estates, farming its land with a commitment to sustainability that predates the current movement by decades. Since 1998 the team has restored Wine Creek as spawning habitat for Coho salmon and steelhead, and since 2005 a 55-kilowatt solar array has supplied more than half of the winery's energy. The farm also produces olive oil, raises goats, and maintains native habitat, a genuine working agricultural ecosystem rather than a monoculture winery operation.
Fig Tree Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley: Quivira's flagship white and a Wine Spectator Top 100 wine; crisp and mineral with grapefruit, pear and lemon, sourced from the estate's coldest, acid-preserving site.
Estate Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley: hillside-grown on clay and gravelly loam, blending fresh red fruit with the spice that defines Dry Creek Zin.
Estate Grenache, Dry Creek Valley: from a pioneer of Rhône blending in the valley; juicy strawberry and pepper over silky, layered fruit.
Estate Syrah, Dry Creek Valley: grown alongside Grenache and Mourvèdre at Wine Creek Ranch, dark and savory with garrigue complexity.
Petite Sirah, Dry Creek Valley: deeply pigmented and structured, a robust counterpoint to the estate's brighter reds.
Quivira Estate Picnic Lunch, $45: a Mediterranean-inspired basket for two with two glasses of Quivira wine, pita chips and house hummus, enjoyed in the garden or on the grass, Friday to Sunday, by reservation 48 hours ahead.
Founded in 1981 by Holly and Henry Wendt and owned by Pete and Terri Kight since 2006, Quivira farms 59 acres of vines within its 110-acre estate, with Aaron Piotter as winemaker.
Quivira takes its name from a mythical realm on early Spanish maps of North America, fitting for a property made for exploring. The estate is certified organic by CCOF and farmed with biodynamic practices, with 160 raised garden beds and beehives sharing the land with the vines. The property itself is the attraction: visitors are encouraged to wander the organic kitchen gardens, meet the chickens, and take in views of Mount St. Helena. The self-paced Estate Tasting, Sip & Graze under the olive trees, and the Redwood Grove Picnic are the main experiences, with the Through the Vines estate tour in spring, summer and fall. Family- and dog-friendly, with a low-key hospitality culture that's easy to linger in.
