Our Vineyards

The terrain at Chalk Hill is intricate and varied. Located at the convergence of a number of naturally defined winegrowing regions, the estate features a range of microclimates, soils and exposures that require well-reasoned, site-specific farming protocols. It’s this unusual complexity of terroir that allows us to create wines that are intense, balanced and distinctive.

Chalk Hill’s location, between the cool Russian River appellation, and the warm Alexander Valley, places it in the perfect location to take advantage of the benefits afforded both. The diversity of the Chalk Hill topography creates a broad spectrum of different sites across which can be planted both red and white varieties. The lower, cooler sites are perfect for Chardonnay while the steeper, warmer, south-facing slopes are superbly suited to ripen Bordeaux varietals.

Appellation

Chalk Hill, the appellation, is one of 13 in Sonoma County – a region of fine wine, remarkable beauty, and agricultural abundance. Unique biospheres distinguish Chalk Hill from the neighboring appellations – the cooler Russian River Valley to the west and the warmer Alexander Valley to the northeast. Elevations in Chalk Hill are higher; soil fertility is lower. In amazing proximity, the soils range from shallow to deep, from thin to thick, from gravel and rock to heavy clay. An old river bed caps one hill; an unusual serpentine vein ranges through another and, under the topsoil, is a distinctive layer of chalk-colored volcanic ash which inspired the name of Chalk Hill, the appellation, and the estate.

Terroir

Borrowed from the French, the definition of terroir goes beyond that of the often—used Anglicized word, “microclimate.” In addition to the effects of climate above, it embraces the superficial characteristics of the soil— down through to the depths of the ancient geology below.

At Chalk Hill, each vineyard block has been delineated and planted based on the accumulated knowledge of soil profile and chemistry, aspect (orientation to the sun), slope (vertical degree impacting potential for drainage), and overall climate. Terroir divines our plantings, without regard to what may be fashionable today.

Vertical Viticulture

Chalk Hill was an early leader in planting its hillside vineyards “vertically”- following the rise of the terrain, rather than across it. This concept requires the use of a cover crop to hold back any possible erosion, while also providing other added benefits. Mechanical tilling of the soil is minimized, as is the resulting dust and the need for fossil fuels.

Air movement through the vineyard, which reduces mildew, takes advantage of these vertical channels and the natural convection currents up and down the slope.

In the end, this passive system, actively encouraged, proves to be the most viable scheme for farming a hillside landscape.

Sustainable Farming

Sustainable Agriculture has conservation at its root–meeting the needs of the present without compromising the future. Only 350 acres of vines are woven into the diverse terrain of the Chalk Hill Estate. Another 850 undeveloped acres of wild grasslands and heritage oak forests cover the undulating hills. Chalk Hill’s early adoption of vertical viticulture requires a steadfast understanding of soil conservation. The thin, irreplaceable topsoil must be protected with a diverse cover crop serving many purposes. It anchors and protects the precious soil, preventing erosion; captures and affixes nitrogen; and harbors a varied community of beneficial insects that aid in pest management. Water conservation is addressed through a complex network that allows the delivery of exact portions to each vine through a precisely controlled drip irrigation system. Evaporation is held to an absolute minimum. Stewardship of human resources is also of prime importance- an ongoing balance between mechanization and hands-on vine tending.

Clone & Rootstock Research

All grapevines are a grafted combination of plants- a specific wine-grape variety above ground, and a complementary rootstock below. Although unseen, that which happens below the soil’s surface is equally as important as that above. At Chalk Hill, over a period of many years and many growing trials, we have strived to pair our rootstock with the profile and potential of the soil in a particular site. At its simplest, you must match the vigor of the rootstock to the inverse of the vigor of the soil. To keep vines in perfect balance the vigorous soils need to be tamed and Spartan soils need to be coaxed. That said, the grape variety grafted to the rootstock also needs to match the site, and not just the correct variety, but the even more specific clonal selection.

Chalk Hill conducted one of the largest and longest maintained Chardonnay clonal trials in California. In addition to exploring the best site and clone growing combination, we are experimenting with different clonal selections in the quest for additional nuance and complexity in the wines. Each clone delivers grapes with different and unique flavor profiles. To demonstrate this, selected clones are bottled separately in certain vintages for a specially boxed Chalk Hill Clonal Collection.