Our Vineyards
The Cline Family vineyards span across Northern California, from Tehama Couty to the Petaluma Gap. We strive to offer a harmonious blend of terroirs that impart distinct flavors to our wines. At Cline, we not only craft exceptional wines but also cultivate a deep-rooted commitment to the land. Our sustainable farming practices reflect our unwavering dedication to preserving the environment and ensuring the long-term health of our vineyards. We believe that great wines start with a deep respect for the land.
The Seven vineyards we farm are the heart and soul of our winemaking, and they serve as the inspiration behind our Seven Ranchlands wines. These vineyards are not just plots of land; they are meticulously farmed with a profound dedication to quality and a deep-rooted passion for crafting exceptional wines.
J. POPPE, ESTATE VINEYARD
CARNEROS, SONOMA COUNTY
Our estate vineyard is named for the man who built the original Farmhouse where our tasting room now sits, Julius Poppe. Here our vineyards are cooled down every afternoon by the "Carneros Express," an ocean-borne breeze that helps increase our grape’s hang time. Shallow clay and loam soils help the vines produce small, tight clusters producing intensely flavored grapes. Our estate is planted to Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Syrah, Viognier, and Marsanne.
JACUZZI VINEYARD
CARNEROS, SONOMA COUNTY
The Jacuzzi property is home to our sister winery Jacuzzi Family Vineyards and sits in the Carneros growing region. This region is renowned for its cool climate, which plays an indispensable role in shaping the character of our wines. The maritime influence from the nearby San Pablo Bay tempers the warmth of the California sun, granting our grapes extended hang-time and a slow, even ripening process. This results in wines of exceptional balance, complexity, and a distinctive, crisp acidity that weaves through the very fabric of our Seven Ranchlands collection.
CATAPULT VINEYARD
PETALUMA GAP, SONOMA COAST
Our parents purchased this vineyard in the mid-90s. Their proximity to the nearby Pacific Ocean allows the vineyards to be draped in early morning fog and bathed by the afternoon sun. Strong winds define this growing region causing grape skins to thicken producing excellent tannin structure and flavor intensity. The combination of shallow clay and deep loam soils make this area much sought-after for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These vineyards are also planted to Pinot Gris, Roussanne, Syrah and Viognier.
Diamond Pile
Petaluma Gap, Sonoma Coast
The Diamond Pile vineyard is the most western and coldest of all the ranches that we farm. Sitting beneath the fog cover in the Petaluma Gap AVA, the vineyard is planted to Dijon clones of Pinot Noir, and blocks of Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Syrah. Diamond Pile is named for what some call a “junk pile” that lives on the ranch. It is, in actuality part of Fred’s sustainability efforts.
Bridgehead Vineyard
Oakley, Contra Costa County
Bridgehead is home to our oldest vineyards, planted by Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese immigrants in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This historic site is planted to Mourvèdre, Zinfandel, and Carignane. All vines are dry-farmed, with roots that reach nearly 40 feet below ground in search of water. The struggle for water means the vineyard has minimal yields, but the wines are consistently elegant and food-friendly.
Big Break Vineyard
Oakley, Contra Costa County
Fred Cline spent his summers working on his grandfather, Valeriano Jacuzzi’s, ranch in Contra Costa County. He quickly fell in love with the agrarian lifestyle and was tasked with helping his grandfather make wine for the family. From then on, he was hooked. After attending UC Davis, he returned to Contra Costa County and founded Cline Cellars in 1982, making his first vintages from 100+-year-old vines from Big Break.
Meadowbrook Ranch
Red Bluff, Tehama County
The high elevation, rugged terrain, and red volcanic soils make the Meadowbrook vineyard in Tehama County an incredibly unique growing region for grapes. A huge diurnal shift, with extremely hot days leading to cold nights, helps to produce blockbuster wines, with ample tannin and texture. Forty acres of vines are planted to Zinfandel, Alicante Bouschet, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. This site is also a full-time working ranch.