Russian River Valley · Sonoma County · Santa Rosa
Hook & Ladder Vineyards & Winery
Experience the legacy of Russian River Valley winemaking at Hook & Ladder Winery.
4.9(151)
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Known forPinot NoirOld Vine ZinfandelChardonnayBordeaux BlendsHistoric EstateDog-Friendly
About Hook & Ladder Vineyards & Winery
Hook & Ladder Winery, founded by Cecil and Christine De Loach in 2003, continues the legacy of one of Russian River Valley's most influential wine families. The winery specializes in small bottlings of Pinot Noir, Old Vine Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and Bordeaux-style blends, all sourced from sustainably-farmed estate vineyards. Visitors can enjoy a unique experience at the winery, which is adorned with fire station memorabilia, reflecting Cecil's 17-year career as a firefighter.
Why Visit Hook & Ladder Vineyards & Winery
A stop at Hook & Ladder is a chance to taste some of Sonoma’s finest small-batch wines, all while surrounded by a unique collection of firefighting memorabilia that tells a story of courage and community. Picture the moment when the first sip of their luscious Pinot Noir dances on your palate, perfectly accompanied by the warmth of shared laughter and stories from fellow wine lovers. It’s an experience that ignites the spirit of camaraderie, leaving you eager to return for more.
- Fire station memorabilia creates a unique and memorable tasting environment.
- Specializes in limited-production wines that highlight the diversity of the Russian River Valley.
- Offers a blend of casual and curated tasting experiences suitable for all visitors.
- Family-owned winery continuing the legacy of one of the region's most influential wine families.
- Dog-friendly and kid-friendly, making it welcoming for families.
The Setting
A striking firetruck greets visitors at the entrance, immediately setting the tone for Hook & Ladder’s distinctive character. The charming winery, with its rustic charm, showcases a blend of history and innovation, where vintage firefighting gear decorates the tasting room walls, offering a glimpse into Cecil De Loach’s past. Surrounded by sun-kissed vineyards, the space invites guests to relax and soak in the ambiance, where the legacy of Russian River Valley winemaking thrives.
The Tasting Experience
Opt for the Captain Flight for a truly immersive experience, where each pour is accompanied by tales of the vineyards and the family’s storied history. The intimate tableside service allows for thoughtful conversation while savoring small-production wines like their Old Vine Zinfandel, bursting with character. Each sip reveals the artistry behind the winemaking, as guests delight in the creamy finish of the Chardonnay or the robust notes of a Bordeaux blend, all while feeling the genuine warmth of the space.
Tasting Experiences
The Captain Flight – Club Member
$0A complimentary Captain Flight experience for wine club members, featuring a selection of small production wines. Reservation required.
Reservation Required
Cadet Tasting
$15A casual tasting experience with a selection of wines. No reservation required.
The Captain Flight
$25A tableside experience featuring a curated selection of small production wines, led by knowledgeable staff. Reservation required.
Reservation Required
Wine List (15)
| Wine | Type | Vintage | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 Four Rows Cabernet Franc This Cab Franc has a wonderful fragrant nose of Bing cherry, baking spices, and light touches of dried sage. Its well-layered palate of elegant cinnamon, cardamom, and a ripe dark berry gives way to a delicious cacao finish. | Cabernet Franc | 2021 | $68 | |
2020 Third Alarm Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum This barrel selection reserve, is created from hand picked barrels by Winemaker, Jason De Loach, to meet the standards required for Third Alarm quality and complexity. Deep garnet in color, this wine has a rich, full palate. It begins with vanilla and ripe cherries and then lingers with a finish of dried raspberries and cocoa. | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2020 | $120 | |
2021 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Deep garnet color with aromas of vanilla, black cherry, sage and a hint of licorice. This Cabernet Sauvignon displays flavors of dark berry jam, baking spices, cardamom finishing with silky tannins and powdered cocoa. | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2021 | $38 | |
2021 Four Rows Cabernet Sauvignon Our 4 Rows Cabernet displays an immediate dark chocolate and black cherry. Lovely toasted oak shows up on the nose, with a palate of mouthwatering raspberry-vanilla and tobacco to round out the densely flavored body. | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2021 | $68 | |
2022 Severson Ranch Pinot Noir The latest expression of the youngest vineyard site in the Hook & Ladder portfolio shows off its burgeoning maturity. This select and limited offering brings a more prominent aromatic quality than in years past. | Pinot Noir | 2022 | $46 | |
2023 Midnight Ranch Pinot Noir This single vineyard Pinot Noir planted secretly from cuttings that the neighbor may or may not have given permission to take in the night, displays a beautiful shimmering garnet color. | Pinot Noir | 2023 | $46 | |
2023 Simeone Ranch Pinot Noir With a vibrant violet color, this Pinot Noir possesses aromas of sandalwood and clove along with dark cherries. A mouthwatering acidity comes to life accompanied by brown sugar, sage and bright red fruit. | Pinot Noir | 2023 | $46 | |
2023 Stegman Ranch Pinot Noir This vintage 2023, single vineyard selection from the Stegman Ranch, will be created from a hand picked selection of 12 barrels and aged 10 months on 40% new French oak. | Pinot Noir | 2023 | $46 | |
2023 Third Alarm Pinot Noir Dark red and violet in color with aromas of cheery cola, red fruit and dried herbs. A full bodied Pinot with aromas of rose petals and violets awaken the senses. | Pinot Noir | 2023 | $46 | |
2021 Four Rows "The Tillerman" Red Blend The first ever Four Rows "The Tillerman" is a representation of the most complex and layered wine that can be produced from our estate Chalk Hill vineyards. This Bordeaux style blend is pure elegance and may be the most exciting release from our Four Rows collection of wine in years. This blend is comprised of 55% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc. | Red Blend | 2021 | $68 | |
2022 The Tillerman Red Blend In fire-fighting parlance, a “tillerman” steers the back of a hook & ladder truck. Our founder, Cecil De Loach, held this position in the San Francisco Fire Department. The Tillerman red blend exhibits a deep purple, with notes of ripe wild berries, black cherry, and baking spices on the nose. | Red Blend | 2022 | $26 | |
2021 Praeterea "Brunello Style" Sangiovese Always one of the most anticipated wines in the Hook & Ladder portfolio the "Brunello Style" Sangiovese never disappoints. Using "old world" techniques, the winemaking is patiently aged, culminating in a bottling after 40 months. This 100% Sangiovese form our sloping vineyards in the Chalk Hill area has a ruby red color that hints towards its extended time in barrel. | Syrah | 2021 | $58 | |
2023 Estate Sangiovese This Sangiovese has a fervent following. A medium bodied wine containing a delicate balance of cedar, dark cherry and dried plum, along with thyme leather and tobacco on the finish. | Syrah | 2023 | $42 | |
2021 Third Alarm Zinfandel This Third Alarm reserve blend is made up of 100 year old vines from Marcucci Vineyards located off Laguna Road. With aromas of leather, blackberry jam and dark plums, it finishes with a bit of spicy pepper. This is a full bodied wine with hints of cocoa, tobacco and black pepper. | Zinfandel | 2021 | $46 | |
2022 "Old Vine" Marcucci Zinfandel This historic vineyard was planted in the Russian River Valley in 1922. The 2022 vintage is a classic representation of the vineyards most consistent characteristics. A dense plum cobbler and clove aroma entices the senses and evokes the impending richness and depth of this Zinfandel's palate. | Zinfandel | 2022 | $46 |
2021 Four Rows Cabernet Franc
This Cab Franc has a wonderful fragrant nose of Bing cherry, baking spices, and light touches of dried sage. Its well-layered palate of elegant cinnamon, cardamom, and a ripe dark berry gives way to a delicious cacao finish.
Cabernet Franc2021
2020 Third Alarm Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum
This barrel selection reserve, is created from hand picked barrels by Winemaker, Jason De Loach, to meet the standards required for Third Alarm quality and complexity. Deep garnet in color, this wine has a rich, full palate. It begins with vanilla and ripe cherries and then lingers with a finish of dried raspberries and cocoa.
Cabernet Sauvignon2020
2021 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep garnet color with aromas of vanilla, black cherry, sage and a hint of licorice. This Cabernet Sauvignon displays flavors of dark berry jam, baking spices, cardamom finishing with silky tannins and powdered cocoa.
Cabernet Sauvignon2021
2021 Four Rows Cabernet Sauvignon
Our 4 Rows Cabernet displays an immediate dark chocolate and black cherry. Lovely toasted oak shows up on the nose, with a palate of mouthwatering raspberry-vanilla and tobacco to round out the densely flavored body.
Cabernet Sauvignon2021
2022 Severson Ranch Pinot Noir
The latest expression of the youngest vineyard site in the Hook & Ladder portfolio shows off its burgeoning maturity. This select and limited offering brings a more prominent aromatic quality than in years past.
Pinot Noir2022
2023 Midnight Ranch Pinot Noir
This single vineyard Pinot Noir planted secretly from cuttings that the neighbor may or may not have given permission to take in the night, displays a beautiful shimmering garnet color.
Pinot Noir2023
2023 Simeone Ranch Pinot Noir
With a vibrant violet color, this Pinot Noir possesses aromas of sandalwood and clove along with dark cherries. A mouthwatering acidity comes to life accompanied by brown sugar, sage and bright red fruit.
Pinot Noir2023
2023 Stegman Ranch Pinot Noir
This vintage 2023, single vineyard selection from the Stegman Ranch, will be created from a hand picked selection of 12 barrels and aged 10 months on 40% new French oak.
Pinot Noir2023
2023 Third Alarm Pinot Noir
Dark red and violet in color with aromas of cheery cola, red fruit and dried herbs. A full bodied Pinot with aromas of rose petals and violets awaken the senses.
Pinot Noir2023
2021 Four Rows "The Tillerman" Red Blend
The first ever Four Rows "The Tillerman" is a representation of the most complex and layered wine that can be produced from our estate Chalk Hill vineyards. This Bordeaux style blend is pure elegance and may be the most exciting release from our Four Rows collection of wine in years. This blend is comprised of 55% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc.
Red Blend2021
2022 The Tillerman Red Blend
In fire-fighting parlance, a “tillerman” steers the back of a hook & ladder truck. Our founder, Cecil De Loach, held this position in the San Francisco Fire Department. The Tillerman red blend exhibits a deep purple, with notes of ripe wild berries, black cherry, and baking spices on the nose.
Red Blend2022
2021 Praeterea "Brunello Style" Sangiovese
Always one of the most anticipated wines in the Hook & Ladder portfolio the "Brunello Style" Sangiovese never disappoints. Using "old world" techniques, the winemaking is patiently aged, culminating in a bottling after 40 months. This 100% Sangiovese form our sloping vineyards in the Chalk Hill area has a ruby red color that hints towards its extended time in barrel.
Syrah2021
2023 Estate Sangiovese
This Sangiovese has a fervent following. A medium bodied wine containing a delicate balance of cedar, dark cherry and dried plum, along with thyme leather and tobacco on the finish.
Syrah2023
2021 Third Alarm Zinfandel
This Third Alarm reserve blend is made up of 100 year old vines from Marcucci Vineyards located off Laguna Road. With aromas of leather, blackberry jam and dark plums, it finishes with a bit of spicy pepper. This is a full bodied wine with hints of cocoa, tobacco and black pepper.
Zinfandel2021
2022 "Old Vine" Marcucci Zinfandel
This historic vineyard was planted in the Russian River Valley in 1922. The 2022 vintage is a classic representation of the vineyards most consistent characteristics. A dense plum cobbler and clove aroma entices the senses and evokes the impending richness and depth of this Zinfandel's palate.
Zinfandel2022
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