Our Vineyards Site. Soil. Stewardship.

Simply put Kent Ritchie is an icon. Planted in 1974, few vineyard sites in California have produced such consistently profound and distinct wines as the Ritchie Vineyard. The vineyard sits atop a uniform soil series called Goldridge. This soil is a well-drained, sandy loam formed from ancient marine sediments and sandstone that weathered and uplifted along California’s coastal ranges over millions of years. It typically consists of fine sand, silt, and fractured sandstone with low natural fertility, which encourages vines to struggle slightly and produce smaller, more concentrated fruit. For Chardonnay, Goldridge has excellent drainage and moderate water-holding capacity promote balanced vine vigor and long, even ripening, helping develop bright acidity, layered texture, and precise site expression. Through tireless farming and uncompromising standards Kent has developed a devout following of winemakers and consumer alike. The Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay is one of our most sought-after bottlings for very good reason.

Watch the Ritchie Vineyard YouTube video where Arista's Owner, Mark McWilliams, walks and talks about this Russian River Valley vineyard. Filmed July 2025. 

When we were approached by the Kanzler family in 2019 to begin working with a few acres from this hallowed site it was a winery-dream come true. Located on the western edge of the Russian River Valley, this site is famous for its Goldridge soils, chilly, windswept hills, and persistent blanket of fog. Originally planted in 1996 by Steve and Lynda Kanzler, the family proudly continues to farm the now iconic vineyard today with help from their son, Alex and his wife Breauna. Together, they steward the 15-acre vineyard with a world-class level of care and attention to detail.

Watch the Kanzler Vineyard YouTube video where Arista's Owner, Mark McWilliams, walks and talks about this Russian River Valley vineyard. Filmed July 2025.

The U.V. Lucky Well Vineyard is planted on the second ridge in from the Pacific Ocean. Atop this cool, foggy ridge, overlooking the town of Occidental, the vines receive a near perfect balance of sunshine without heat. The cool, coastal fog and breeze help to keep daytime temperatures moderate even during the warmest days of summer.  The sea breeze acts to gently dry out the grapes each day from the damp, morning fog helping to naturally mitigate mildew pressure.  The vineyard’s east, southeast slope maximizes morning sun and protects the grapes from the intense western sun each afternoon. Goldridge soils provide the perfect foundation for Pinot Noir to slowly ripen with very little rush, even in the warmest years

Watch the U.V. Lucky Well Vineyard YouTube video where Arista's Owner, Mark McWilliams, walks and talks about this Russian River Valley vineyard. Filmed July 2025.

The U.V. Vineyard sits atop a low lying ridge on the eastern edge of the Russian River Valley. This is truly the tenderloin of the appellation—to the east lie the warmer lowlands of the Laguna de Santa Rosa, and to the west lie the exposed ridge tops of the Sonoma coast. There are many famous Russian River Valley vineyards in this narrow corridor, but maybe none with such a pure example of Goldridge soil—the powdery, nearly white soil that gives Russian River Valley wines their renowned energy and elegance.

Watch the U.V. Vineyard YouTube video where Arista's Owner, Mark McWilliams, walks and talks about this Russian River Valley vineyard. Filmed July 2025.

The Reuling Vineyard is a beautiful 12-acre site located in Sonoma between Forestville and Graton. Originally an apple orchard, owners Tim and Jackie Reuling converted the farm to grapevines in 2000 with help from lauded winemaker Mark Aubert while he was working at Peter Michael. Part of the lore of the Reuling Vineyard is the source of the plant material used to plant the vineyard: Domaine de la Romanie Contee. Allegedly, suitcase cuttings from iconic Burgundy vineyards were used to establish the vineyard. Whatever the source of the plant material, it’s worked! In addition to ideal soil and climate conditions, the Reuling's have farmed Biodynamically for over a decade demonstrating their commitment to being great stewards of this special vineyard. The Reuling Vineyard has become renowned for its singular, ethereal Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays made by some of California’s most acclaimed wineries.

Watch the Reuling Vineyard YouTube video where Arista's Owner, Mark McWilliams, walks and talks about this Russian River Valley vineyard. Filmed July 2025.

A meticulously farmed remote vineyard on the Mendocino Coast located 7-miles in from the Pacific Ocean. The Perli Vineyard is one of the most ruggedly beautiful sites in Northern California. At an elevation of almost 1800 feet, well above the coastal fog line and surrounded by thousands of acres of massive Redwood tress, owner Steve Alden redefines extreme farming: treacherous slopes with grades approaching 60%, soils that contain more rock than dirt, damp, cool growing conditions - and we haven’t even mentioned the local bear population that has taken a liking to his fruit.  These dramatic conditions combined with Steve’s total dedication to quality manifest in the wines grown in our northernmost vineyard.

Paul and Amy live on and farm their Pinot Noir vineyard located just off Olivet Road on the eastern edge of the Russian River Valley. Paul, a 3rd generation Sonoma County farmer and Vineyard Manager by trade, farms his estate with extreme attention to detail, and works hand-in-hand with our winemaking team to ensure that quality remains our primary goal. Planted in 1998, the approximately 4-acre site is north facing and sits atop a soil type known as Huichica loam. This soil is a clay-rich loam formed from weathered alluvial deposits and marine sediments that accumulated along valley floors and gentle slopes in coastal California. It typically contains a higher proportion of clay and fine particles than sandy soils, giving it greater water-holding capacity and natural fertility. For Pinot Noir, Huichica’s moisture retention and nutrient availability support steady vine growth and fuller canopy development, often producing wines with broader texture, generous fruit, and softer acidity.

Kim and Mark Dempster are stewards of one of the most historic vineyard sites in Sonoma County. Their 15-acre Banfield Vineyard, located in the chilly and fog drenched Green Valley of the Russian River Valley, is home to Chardonnay planted in 1980 and Pinot Noir planted in 1990. These old vines sit atop Goldridge soil which is perfectly suited for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  The well drained, almost talcum powder like, retain just enough soil moisture throughout the growing season to allow us to dry farm this remarkable vineyard. Vineyard, soil profile, and precise farming allow for long hang time and full flavor development at relatively low sugar levels yielding a wine that deftly balances density of flavor with refreshing, natural acidity. The Pinot Noir from the Banfield Vineyard is used for our Rosé of Pinot Noir wine as the vineyard conditions are cool from the coastal influence and perfect for making Rosé.