VINEYARDS
"Vineyards are where a wine begins. They are the foundation, from the soil to the aspect, proximity to the sea and many more elements that shape the fruit. Once bottled, an expressive wine should tell the great story of its birthplace."
Sweet Lane Vineyard Petaluma Gap
Perhaps it was the very first moment when Johannes made a spontaneous detour, with a smirk and wild look in his eye, when we discovered Sweet Lane Vineyard, instantly captivated by its beauty, location and potential. As that fog began to blow off over the rugged terrain from the “wind tunnel” that travels from the Pacific Ocean and San Pablo Bay, the sun filtered through clouds down on the beautiful ripening fruit at the tail end of verasion and spotlighted renown neighboring vineyards, to the tune of Gap’s Crown and Robert’s Road.
We believe it’s the farmers and their fervor that make vineyards extraordinary and Ed Grossi is one of the hardest working growers we know. With a life dedicated to agriculture and deep family roots in the Petaluma Gap, we can taste that attention to detail no better than walking the vineyards right before harvest to determine ripeness of the exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Known for that cooling wind tunnel, the Gap’s vineyards enjoy a long and temperate growing season, and, along with well-draining, silty-gravel soil, drives a long and steady pursuit of balance. These attributes distinguish Petaluma Gap’s lower-yielding vineyards that reaches physiological ripeness later in the season with lower overall sugars, and the emerging wines that are mouthwatering and full of finesse and energy.
Sonoma Valley High School Vineyard Sonoma
The quarter-acre lot at Sonoma Valley High holds a treasured place in our hearts and where our first brand, Inceptum, began! Planted with the advice of Sonoma wine growing legend Phil Coturri, this vineyard is planted to a variety of Sauvignon Blanc clones and rootstocks for educational purposes. Located in a special corner of the High School property, the vineyard neighbors include a diverse flock of FFA animals cows, pigs, goats, and sheep, all cared for by the students.
In partnership with the SVHS viticulture program and Sonoma FFA, we enjoyed several fulfilling years working alongside the students caring for this vineyard and we were in turn rewarded with the fruit to make a small amount of Sauvignon Blanc. The resulting wine was strongly supported by the community here and propelled our desire to create Toje.
The 2023 vintage will be the last one with the Sonoma Valley High School fruit as we are passing the torch to another talented winemaker.
Pictured is our favorite curious cow, who checked in on us, rain or shine, to watch our crew perform the vineyard work all year long.
Leveroni Vineyards Sonoma
Leveroni Vineyards' Pat Stornetta originally introduced us to the opportunity with Sonoma Valley High, and she was and is still very involved in the project there, as well as a wonderful liaison and mentor.
It’s only natural that after the Sonoma Valley High project, we were able to partner with her to procure Sauvignon Blanc, the wine that started it all. Pat continues a four-generation tradition of farming and conservation that has preserved her family’s home vineyard and dairy ranch, located between Sonoma Creek and Arnold Drive, just southwest of the town of Sonoma, since 1886.