Vineyards

In 1956, Leo and Rose Demostene purchased the 125-acre Sausal Ranch, which was planted to prunes, apples, and Zinfandel. Some of the Zinfandel was planted in 1877 or perhaps even earlier. Leo replanted the ranch to more Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon, and today Sausal has 60 acres planted at the winery. Brothers Dave and Ed also own 25 acres vineyards nearby planted to more Zinfandel, Cabernet, Carignane, and some Petite Sirah planted in the 1890's.

The Sausal Ranch shows three distinct soil types because of influence from the foothills, the bordering Sausal Creek, and the near by Russian River. Soils toward the back of the property (behind the lake) are classified Suther-Laughlin Loams. These soils have shallower top soils that contain more clay. Fertility of these soils is low which helps stress the vine, forcing it to produce concentrated and intense fruit. Soils in the middle of the property (from the family home back to the lake) are primarily Positas Gravelly Loam. These soils characteristically have a surface layer of sandy loam to clay loam that is gravelly in places. The topsoil in this area is deeper than the back of the property, but fertility is still low to moderate. Soils in the front of the property (in front of the winery) are Manzanita Gravelly Silt Loam, and show more influence from the creek and river that have meandered throughout the Alexander Valley. The topsoil in this area is loam to silty clay loam, and many of the soils are gravelly. These soils are deeper again than on other areas of the property, and are relatively fertile.

Zinfandel Blocks

Family Blocks
Clone - Mead Clone
Trellising - Head Trained & Cane Pruned
Soil - Suther-Laughlin Loams, Positas Gravelly Loam & Manzanita gravelly silt loam
Avg. Age of Vine - Some of these vines have been planted since the 1920's and are on average 50 year old.

 

Private Reserve Block
Clone - Old Clone
Trellising - Head Trained & Cane Pruned
Soil - Positas Gravelly Loam
Avg. Age of Vine - These vines have been planted since 1910 and are on average 90 years old

 

Century Vines Block
Clone - Old Clone
Trellising - Head Trained & Spur Pruned
Soil - Positas Gravelly Loam
Avg. Age of Vine - These vines are shown on an 1877 atlas of the area, and over 125 years old.

 

 

 

 

Other Blocks

Cabernet Sauvignon
Clone - Sees Clone
Trellising - Head Trained & Cane Pruned
Soil - Manzanita gravelly silt loam
Avg. Age of Vine - These vines were planted in the late 1970's and are approximately 30 years old.

 

 

Sangiovese
Clone - Pepi Clone
Trellising - Quadrilateral Cordon
Soil - Manzanita gravelly silt loam
Avg. Age of Vine - These vines were planted in the mid 1980's and are over 20 years old.

 

Petite Sirah
Clone - Old Clone
Trellising - Bilateral Cordon T-Top
Soil - Manzanita gravelly silt loam
Avg. Age of Vine - These vines were planted in 1995 and are over 10 years old.