Robert Young Estate Winery

The year was 1963, when Northern Sonoma County and Alexander Valley were known for Italian varietal grapes and Zinfandel grown mostly by Italian families. But Robert Young was an innovator, and with the advice of the Sonoma County Farm Advisor, he pulled out some prune trees and planted 6.500 Cabernet Sauvignon vines--the first in the valley--on 14 acres behind his house. Later, in 1967, he planted his first Chardonnay and went on to develop a singular Chardonnay clone from some of the first French Burgundy vine cuttings brought to America: that Chardonnay clone is now named for him. Throughout these early years in the California fine wine industry's growth, Robert made a name for himself as a significant viticultural innovator. In 1997, Robert Young and his family built a small winery in the old prune barn, chose a few of the very best sections from their extensive vineyards, and began to make wine. These wines, under the label of Robert Young Estate Winery, are made in limited batches and are available direct from the winery. They may be found in a few fine dining establishments and small wine shops in North America and Japan.