Stuhlmuller Vineyards is one of Alexander Valley's finest small family estates, producing Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay of exceptional site character. The estate sits on well-drained benchland soils with excellent north-south orientation, and the wines reflect the warm, structured character of prime Alexander Valley terroir without excess ripeness or oak. The Cabernet in particular shows what Alexander Valley can produce when restraint is valued over power.
Estate Chardonnay, Alexander Valley: the signature; native-yeast, sur-lie white of wet-stone minerality and lemon curd, prized for its value.
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley: a structured, well-priced Cabernet from benchland and hillside blocks.
Estate Zinfandel, Alexander Valley: a small-allotment estate red.
A family-owned grower-producer in Alexander Valley, Stuhlmuller also grows estate Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot in small blocks.
Roger and Carmen Stuhlmuller bought the 150-acre property in 1982 and quickly built a reputation as growers first, supplying Chateau Souverain, Simi, and other benchmark producers with fruit from the southwestern edge of the valley. Their son Fritz, now the proprietor, launched the estate wine label in 1996, converting the historic red barn on the property into a small artisan cellar designed for vineyard-specific lots. The vineyard sits on a rare geological seam where Alexander Valley, Dry Creek, and Russian River meet: gravel, clay, and volcanic soils carved by alluvial movement along the river. The tasting experience is intentionally slow and rural: pull up at the red barn, sit at the bar or on the patio, taste through the Chardonnay, Cabernet, and Zinfandel. Dogs are welcome, and a separate Yappy Hour runs Wednesday through Friday afternoons. Reservations help, but are not required.
