In 1997, when it came time to diversify the Doherty Family's agricultural operation, the decision to plant wine grapes was an easy one. Mike Doherty used his Fruit Science degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and his wife Amy used her degree in Agricultural Economics from U.C. Davis to plant the twenty-five acres of grapes in the gravelly loam soil in the foothills. They felt it was perfect for stressing grapes into wine-making perfection.

Mike approached his father with the idea and was given the family’s blessing on the condition a contract was secured with a winery to purchase the crop. Mike began the daunting task of cold calling winery after winery before Marc Mondavi of Charles Krug granted him his first contract. Planting began with 25 acres of Syrah in 1997, followed by 90 acres of Cabernet and Petit Verdot. Most recently planted on the home ranch were 10 acres of Chardonnay and the Spanish varietal Verdejo. Our latest planting has been in the Dunnigan Hills - 25 acres of 7 varietals surrounding our farmhouse tasting room. These varieties of grapes were selected as they are best suited to the area’s climate and soils. Over the years, the Doherty's have sold grapes to many Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino county wineries. The winemakers have the same opinion that there is high-quality fruit being grown in the foothills west of Arbuckle and in the Dunnigan Hills.

It didn’t take long for the Doherty’s to join the “farm-to-fork”; or, should it be said, “farm-to-glass” movement. The multi-generational California family prides themselves on using sustainable agricultural practices in their vineyard, as well as their other farming operations, to help control soil erosion, provide wildlife habitat, improve soil health, protect air quality, and minimize the use of pesticides and herbicides. Scattered among the vines are owl boxes, a wildlife pond with wood duck boxes and nesting islands, cover crops, and even grazing sheep at certain times of the year to control weeds. What you won’t often see is a tractor discing as no-till farming practices are used to protect soil and air quality. The Doherty family is a proud supporter of charitable events throughout the Sacramento Valley. You will often see a donated bottle of Grindstone in a raffle or as an auction item; spend freely you won’t be disappointed!

- The Doherty Family

SUSTAINABILITY

We pride ourselves on being stewards of the land. We are intentional with our farming practices, using cover crops, creating animal habitats around the ranch. We are also proudly Bee Friendly Certified.

CLIMATE

Wine regions with Mediterranean climates are characterised by their long growing seasons of moderate to warm temperatures. Our vines warm throughout the day and cool through the night with a delta breeze.

TERRIOR

Terroir at its most basic is a belief that the land and climate where the grapes are grown impart unique characteristics into the grape that could not be imparted by any other region of the world.

MIKE & AMY

Owners and growers, Mike and Amy, are proud to share their story with each and every customer. They are stewards of the land and have carefully cultivated this label with the vines and their family history in mind.

TIERNEY

Grindsone’s Brand and Tasting Room Manager. Tierney, Mike and Amy’s niece, has helped the Grindstone label grow into the brand that it is today. She gave Grindstone’s story a voice and vintages to share.

MOLLY

Mike and Amy’s oldest daughter and Grindstone’s Wine Club and Assistant Brand Manager. Molly shares Grindstone’s story in pictures though social media, from vineyards to glasses on the patio and everything in-between.

EMMA

Youngest daughter Emma works in both the vineyard and tasting room. She has tended to our newly planted vineyards daily, irrigation, checking the vines and much more. You can find her at the tasting room on our busy event days.