InnPetaluma Gap · Sonoma4.4 · 472
Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Santa Rosa Sebastopol
Sebastopol base with views of the Petaluma Gap hills and families at the pool by noon.
Kid FriendlyWine LoversCouples Retreat
★★3.4 mi
Russian River Valley · Sonoma County · Sebastopol
Emeritus Vineyards
Founded in 1999 by Brice Cutrer Jones, Emeritus grows Pinot Noir exclusively on Goldridge soil.
4.9(233)
Known forPinot NoirSustainableCave ToursFood PairingDog-FriendlyKid-Friendly
About Emeritus Vineyards
Emeritus Vineyards, founded in 1999 by Brice Cutrer Jones, is renowned for its exceptional Pinot Noirs crafted from the unique Goldridge soil of Hallberg Ranch and Pinot Hill in the Russian River Valley. The winery emphasizes sustainable practices, including dry farming and carbon sequestration, while its dedicated team, led by second-generation President Mari Jones, ensures that every wine reflects the essence of its terroir and the passion behind its creation.
Why Visit Emeritus Vineyards
The Art of Pinot Noir tasting pairs single-block wines with artisan cheeses, revealing how Dijon, Pommard, and heritage clones express Hallberg Ranch and Pinot Hill differently. Mari Jones, the second-generation president, leads a team committed to dry farming both estates, a practice that defines how these wines taste.
- Pinot Noir grown only on Goldridge soil at Hallberg Ranch and Pinot Hill
- Mari Jones, second-generation president, oversees dry farming across both estates
- Art of Pinot Noir tasting ($95) showcases single-block wines with artisan cheeses
- Blending Class with Keith ($150) lets visitors blend Dijon, Pommard, and heritage clones
- Riggs leads truck bed tours to Pinot Hill, opened to visitors for the first time
The Setting
Hallberg Ranch spreads across the Goldridge soil belt that gives Emeritus its foundation, with Pinot Hill visible in the distance as the newer, colder, steeper vineyard site. The views from the patio look directly over dry-farmed vines that Jones planted more than two decades ago. Riggs leads truck bed tours into both vineyards, driving visitors to blocks where the soil and elevation shift the character of each clone.
The Tasting Experience
The Estate Tasting pours five single-vineyard wines for $40, either inside or on the patio overlooking Hallberg Ranch. The Art of Pinot Noir steps up to $95 and pairs the most exclusive single-block bottlings with local cheeses. Keith hosts the Forests of France tasting at $150, a guided exploration of oak's role in winemaking, while Riggs drives the vineyard tours in a truck bed.
The Tasting
Tasting experiences.
Prices and availability are approximate and may not reflect current offerings.
Estate Tasting
$40This experience showcases our estate-grown wines. Enjoy a tasting of five of our single-vineyard wines in our relaxed and inviting tasting room or patio. Learn about the history of Emeritus, dry-farming, and why Hallberg Ranch is one of the best places to grow Pinot Noir.
90 minReservation Required
Estate Tour & Tasting
$60Stroll through the vines of Hallberg Ranch and experience firsthand the beauty of our Ranch and the care that goes into growing and making our acclaimed Pinot Noirs. The experience concludes with a guided flight of limited-production Pinot Noirs in our tasting room.
120 minReservation Required
Art of Pinot Noir
$95Designed for true lovers of the ‘heartbreak grape’, this in-depth tasting showcases our most exclusive single-block Pinot Noirs paired with local artisan cheeses. Discover the breadth of our Pinot Noirs, explore our unique terroirs, and experience how food influences each wine.
90 minReservation Required
Visit the Forests of France with Keith
$150Take a sensory journey to the majestic oak forests of France, where Keith will guide you through the art and science of wood–wine interaction. Discover the key differences between French and American oak, explore the craft of barrel making, and take part in an immersive sensory experience that reveals the unique aromas each oak element imparts. Conclude your adventure with a rare tasting of the same wine aged in five different barrels, each sourced from a different French forest—an unforgettable exploration of oak’s influence on wine.
120 minReservation Required
Blending Class with Keith
$150Become a winemaker for the day by creating your own blend of Pinot Noir from Hallberg Ranch. Taste Dijon, Pommard and heritage clones of Pinot Noir, discuss what each clone brings to a blend, and then create your own blend of Hallberg Ranch!
120 minReservation Required
Hallberg Ranch Tour & Truck Bed Tasting with Riggs
$150You’ve enjoyed looking at the vineyard from the Tasting Room, but here’s your opportunity to see the entire ranch! Escorted by Riggs, you’ll tour the Hallberg Ranch vineyard learning why dry-farming is so important to our wines. Throughout the tour, you’ll taste wines made from Hallberg Ranch, among the vines that grew the grapes.
120 minReservation Required
Pinot Hill Tour & Truck Bed Tasting with Riggs
$150For the first time, we’re opening visits to our Pinot Hill estate! Escorted by Riggs, you’ll tour the Pinot Hill vineyard learning about the unique challenges of farming at this cold and steep site. Throughout the tour, you’ll taste all five wines made from Pinot Hill while looking out over the spectacular view of the Russian River Valley.
120 minReservation Required
The Pour
$80$40$50$25$35$80$80$80$70
Wine list. (12)
Prices are approximate and may not reflect current offerings.
| Wine | Type | Vintage | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2020 Pinot Hill East | Pinot Noir | 2020 | $80 | |
2020 Wesley's Reserve 375ml | Pinot Noir | 2020 | $40 | |
2021 Hallberg Ranch | Pinot Noir | 2021 | $50 | |
2021 Hallberg Ranch 375 | Pinot Noir | 2021 | $25 | |
2021 Pinot Hill 375ml | Pinot Noir | 2021 | $35 | |
2021 Pinot Hill East | Pinot Noir | 2021 | $80 | |
2021 Pinot Hill West | Pinot Noir | 2021 | $80 | |
2021 Wesley's Reserve | Pinot Noir | 2021 | $80 | |
2022 Pinot Hill | Pinot Noir | 2022 | $70 |
2020 Pinot Hill East
Pinot Noir2020
2020 Wesley's Reserve 375ml
Pinot Noir2020
2021 Hallberg Ranch
Pinot Noir2021
2021 Hallberg Ranch 375
Pinot Noir2021
2021 Pinot Hill 375ml
Pinot Noir2021
2021 Pinot Hill East
Pinot Noir2021
2021 Pinot Hill West
Pinot Noir2021
2021 Wesley's Reserve
Pinot Noir2021
2022 Pinot Hill
Pinot Noir2022
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to Stay Nearby
View allInn
InnRussian River Valley · Sonoma4.7 · 584
Farmhouse Inn
The original 1873 Farmhouse still houses guest rooms directly above the restaurant's kitchen.
Kid FriendlyWine LoversRomantic Getaway
★★★★★4.6 mi
Drive Times
From Sonoma hotels.
Estimated drive time from each hotel to Emeritus Vineyards, ordered by proximity.
| Hotel | Drive | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Farmhouse Inn | ~12 min | Book |
| The Lodge at Bodega Bay | ~23 min | Book |
| Hotel Healdsburg | ~24 min | Book |
| Montage Healdsburg | ~28 min | Book |
| Olea Hotel | ~34 min | Book |
| Cottage Inn & Spa | ~44 min | Book |
Estimates based on straight-line distance with a wine-country routing factor. Actual drive times vary with traffic and route choice.
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