Russian River Valley
Long celebrated as the heartland of California Pinot Noir, the Russian River Valley is shaped by its signature coastal fog, which drifts inland from the Pacific and blankets the vineyards each morning. This daily interplay of cool mornings and warm afternoons slows ripening, allowing grapes to develop remarkable depth, structure, and purity – hallmarks of the wines we craft from this region.
For Kosta Browne, the Russian River Valley is more than a place. It’s our home and the heart of our story.
About The APPELLATION
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
THE RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY is hallowed ground for lovers of great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Here, the vines are immersed in clockwork fog and daytime temperature swings, which preserve the natural acidity essential to elegant, age-worthy wines. We work with a handful of the most beloved vineyards from this remarkable wine region considered by many to be the heartland of California Pinot Noir.
FACTS OF NOTE
YEAR AVA ESTABLISHED: 1983
TOTAL VINEYARD ACRES: 15,000
KEY VARIETALS: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
CLIMATE: Impacted by fog from the Pacific Ocean a few miles west
Featured Wines
The Vineyards
Treehouse Vineyard
Nestled amidst majestic redwoods and bordered by towering cypress trees, our 14-acre Treehouse Vineyard, established in 2006, has a very special place in the heart of our winemaker. Its vibrant Franciscan soils and cool coastal sunshine create an environment where vines flourish, producing wines of extraordinary depth and complexity, marked by their youthful vitality and distinctive identity.
Facts of Note
Vineyard Established: 2009
Total Vineyard Acres: 14
Key Varietals: Pinot Noir
First Vintage: 2016
Featured Wines
2023 Treehouse Vineyard Pinot Noir
Keefer Ranch
Nestled in the coolest part of the Russian River Valley, Keefer Ranch embodies refinement and elegance. Established in 1996 with elite clones, this distinguished site benefits from the region’s gentle winds and persistent fog, which extend the growing season and enhance the development of its exceptional fruit. Since our collaboration with the legendary Marcy Keefer began in 2005, we have been captivated by the site’s unique character.
Facts of Note
Vineyard Established: 1996
Total Vineyard Acres: 20
Key Varietals: Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
First Vintage: 2005
Featured Wines
2023 Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir2022 Keefer Ranch Blanc de Blancs
Giusti Ranch
The Giusti family has farmed its remarkable property since the 1870s, boasting one of Russian River Valley’s longest grape-growing legacies. Situated in a slightly warmer region of the valley and blessed with ideal Josephine loam soils, this historic estate consistently produces one of our most sumptuous wines.
Facts of Note
Vineyard Established: 1875
Total Vineyard Acres: 9
Key Varietals: Pinot Noir
First Vintage: 2004
Featured Wines
2023 Giusti Ranch Pinot Noir
El Diablo
Planted in 2008 at an average elevation of 500 feet, El Diablo Vineyard is known for its tightly spaced vines, which compete for nutrients, resulting in reduced yields with exceptional quality. This unique growing environment contributes to the vineyard’s distinctive character and the wine’s remarkable depth.
Facts of Note
Vineyard Established: 2008
Total Vineyard Acres: 28
Key Varietals: Chardonnay
First Vintage: 2017
Featured Wines
2023 El Diablo Chardonnay
Bootlegger’s Hill
Perched 750 feet above the fog line on the western edge of the Russian River Valley, Bootlegger’s Hill spans 30 acres of ancient seabed soils. Once an apple orchard, this vineyard is now home to seven unique clones of Pinot Noir, each contributing to the wine’s depth and complexity.
Facts of Note
Vineyard Established: 2009
Total Vineyard Acres: 30
Key Varietals: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
First Vintage: 2016
Featured Wines
2023 Bootlegger’s Hill Pinot Noir2023 Bootlegger’s Hill Chardonnay
—JULIEN HOWSEPIAN
WINEMAKER, KOSTA BROWNE
2023 Russian River Valley HARVEST HIGHLIGHTS
FIRST PICK
09/09/23 – Chardonnay from El Diablo
LAST PICK
Keefer Chardonnay
MOST DAYS ON SKIN
20 days – Zio Tony
PICKING WINDOW FACT OF NOTE
The latest start since 2011 and the latest finish for Russian River Vallet— one of the longest harvest windows in the last decade
