(Healdsburg, CA) On a recent trip to Northern California headed for Napa Valley wine country, we wereΒ determinedΒ to visit at least one Black-owned winery.
Despite the fact that, many of theΒ vineyards run by people of color have made a significant impact on the wine industryΒ and have received national recognition, there are only a handful of Black-owned wineries in the United States.Β
One of the few, located in picturesque Healdsburg, CA (Sonoma County) is the historicΒ Everette Ridge/Esterlina Vineyards, owned and operated by the Sterling Family.
Fun fact: Esterlina Vineyardsβ 2004 Cole Ranch Riesling and, 2007 Dry Riesling wasΒ served at the White House, during President George W. Bushs’ Administration.
The Sterling family has been making wine under the Esterlina label, which is their name in Spanish, for more than a decade now.Β As one of the fewΒ black families that owns vineyards in America, the Sterlings farmed for three generations before getting into the wine business.
Nestled on a hillside at the edge of Dry Creek and Russian River, the wineryΒ was originally built in 1887 byΒ Everette Wise.
Β In 2006, the 250 acre winery was purchased, renovated and updated by patriarch Mario and his wife DorisΒ Sterling. Β Originally cattle ranchers and grape growers from the Central Valley, the wines produced by the Sterlings areΒ handcrafted wines in three differentΒ varieties–Pinot Noir, Dry Riesling and Riesling wines.
Once youΒ walk through the doors, a feelingΒ of cultural pride is displayed artisticallyΒ on the shelves and walls, which are adorned with framed press articles, African AmericanΒ art pieces, and books written by BlackΒ authors spread out throughout the warm and cozy tasting room. The friendly hostess makes sure that guests are kept up to date with what’s going on with the winery by inviting them to grabΒ a 2015 events card whichΒ shows upcoming events hosted by Esterlina that includes: Β Several wine club party’s, A Cole Ranch Picnic and a Meat Lover’s Night/Sterling Brothers’ Grill War which is typically held in late September.
Tastings are offered at the bar, or outside at tables overlooking the vineyards which is perfect for a picnic.Β This place appears to be a popular stopoverΒ for bicycling groups that slippedΒ in and out for tastings duringΒ our visit.
Wine tastings interestingly paired with a bowl of cheese puffs, are reasonably priced at $15.00/per person.
We sipped on theΒ Zinfandel ($32), Petite Sirah ($32), Cabernet Sauvignon ($40), Pinot Noir ($42) and a dry Riesling ($19). Β The winery also produces Sangiovese, Chardonnay and a Port.
The family business consists of son’s: Winemaker, Dr. Eric Sterling who practices medicine in Santa Rosa.Β Chris Sterling, an attorney with an MBA (Vinyard management), Stephen Sterling, MBA (Marketing) and Craig Sterling (Operations).
Esterlina also owns the only vineyard in the Cole Ranch Appellation, which is Americaβs smallest American Viticultural Area.
Click on link for more information onΒ Esterlina Vineyards. Β Or visit Esterlina/Everette Ridge at 435 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448. Β Β
Also check out this list of other Black Owned Wineries:
http://www.zuriwine.com/black-owned-wineries.html