2012 Buena Vista The Founder

Buena Vista Winery calls itself California’s oldest premium winery, and it’s hard to argue the point given it was founded about the same time California became a state. Agoston Haraszthy de Mokeska was a Hungarian immigrant from a wealthy, land-owing family, and in 1840 he landed in California with the dream of creating his own agricultural empire, including a winery. A man of great energy and vision, he was elected to California state legislature and explored the state – at one point he was the sheriff of San Diego – before buying the 800-acre Sonoma ranch known as Buena Vista. He built a stone winery, planted vineyards and organized the first society for the study and improvement of California viticulture. For the next 100 years the estate had periods of success but also periods when it fell into disrepair and did not make wines. By the mid-20th century the estate had been purchased by a large German corporation, which made some improvements and some excellent Cabernet Sauvignons. In 2011 Buena Vista was purchased by Boisset Family Estates, which owns a collection of historic estates in Burgundy and California. Buena Vista still owns nearly 900 acres planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Syrah Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel.

Sonoma County is not an AVA, but it is a commonly used informal designation for wines made outside of more specific AVAs within Sonoma, which is a large wine producing region just west of Napa Valley. Though Sonoma is often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor Napa Valley, it has a long history of wine production. The area specialized in jug wine until the mid-20th century, when Sonoma producers took a cue from Napa and started improving quality. Unlike Napa, where Cabernet Sauvignon is king, Sonoma specialized in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, though excellent Cabs are produced too. There are at present 16 AVAs within Sonoma County, and, like much of the West Coast of the United States, new AVAs are created in Sonoma County with regularity. Some Sonoma appellations, such as the Russian River Valley, are renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.