Nicholson Ranch is situated at the crossroads of California’s most esteemed winegrowing regions: Napa, Sonoma Valley and Los Carneros. Warm days and cool nights give the estate vineyards the climatic conditions that enable the production of elegant red varietals, and fresh whites. It is no wonder that Nicholson Ranch has become noted for its luscious Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.
Nicholson Ranch strives to produce wines that show true varietal characteristics. This requires great attention to farming methods. In order to grow the highest quality grapes possible, and ensure the health and fertility of the land, they use environmentally friendly and sustainable viticultural practices. Grapes are harvested in small lots allowing them to be picked at perfect ripeness.
Nicholson Ranch uses minimal intervention winemaking methods. Their wines are unfiltered and unfined, resulting in delicious fruit-forward wines with rich mouthfeel and a lingering finish.
Socrates and Bettye Nicholson purchased the Ranch in 1962. Their daughter, Ramona, grew up in this extraordinary setting and got her start in farming as she helped out with the ranch chores. Everything about the property was perfect for growing premium quality grapes and in 1996 Ramona and her partner, Deepak Gulrajani, began their plans for Nicholson Ranch Winery. They planted 30 acres in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Merlot. Digging the caves began in 2000, and work on the winery commenced in 2002.
Nicholson Ranch is a state-of-the-art, five-level gravity-flow facility, designed to gently move wine through its stages of production, which is especially important to preserve the delicate flavors and aromas of wines, especially those of Pinot Noir. Nicholson Ranch is reminiscent of early California structures, with double thick walls and deep overhangs. The design, materials and color palate were all selected to create a winery that blends gracefully with its California wine country setting.