There may only be a 600-foot ridge separating Alexander Valley from Dry Creek Valley to the west, but this AVA is virtually synonymous with Zinfandel while Alexander Valley is more frequently associated with Cabernet Sauvignon. Banked by 1,500-foot hillsides with a flat, narrow floor in between them, Dry Creek is known for dry-farmed, ancient, gnarly Zinfandel vines. Our vineyards here (White and Taylor) sit on the steep hillsides and must struggle to bear fruit. That's exactly why their grapes are so concentrated. This is one AVA where microclimates, and even which hillside (east or west), dramatically influence the flavor of the grapes. Western hillside vineyards yield fruit that is characteristically a bit lighter and elegant than the powerhouse, jammy Zins grown on the eastern hillside. Nonetheless, both sides are of extreme quality. The warm upper third of the floor of Dry Creek Valley produces our formidable Cabernet, Syrah and Petit Sirah.