Harvest
Moon Estate & Winery | Peterson Winery
Two Hidden Wineries in the fabulous Russian River Wine
Country
This trip can be a day trip or an outing tacked on to an overnight
stay in Healdsburg
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Winegrower Randy Pitts
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We took this day trip to visit two small wineries in the wonderful
Russian River wine country. Although these two wineries are
located in the Russian River wine area, they are worlds apart
in terms of climate, soil type, and other growing factors.
The Harvest Moon Winery is located in the heart of the Russian
River Valley AVA. This appellation consists of many microclimates
and soil types. Morning fog and late afternoon cooling breezes
are typical climate conditions in the summer months.
About 15 miles north is the famous Dry Creek Valley where
the Peterson Winery makes its home. Here the climate is characterized
by very warm summer days but cooling temperatures at night.
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Harvest Moon Estate & Winery
From Highway 101, about 50 miles north of San Francisco, take the
River Road Exit in Santa Rosa. Go west for four miles and then turn
left at Olivet Rd.The address is 2192 Olivet Road.
We are greeted by Randy Pitts, the owner and winemaker at Harvest
Moon Winery. The Harvest Moon winery sits on 12 acres of vineyards.
For many years the vineyards were farmed by Randy’s parents
and the grapes sold off to nearby wineries. In the year 2000, Randy
took over the vineyard duties and decided to try his hand at winemaking.
Why not turn the vines his parents had been nurturing for years
into fine wines? Randy is a farmer first adhering to the philosophy
that great wines are made in the vineyards. He wants the wines to
reflect the flavors and essence of the vines they came from. The
Harvest Moon wines are moderate in alcohol and body, and light on
the palate with little tannins. The wines are very food friendly
and ready to drink. We were very impressed with the dry and off-dry
Gewurztraminer, the Pitts Home Ranch Zinfandel, and the two low
alcohol dessert wines, the late harvest Zinfandel, and the ice-style
late harvest Gewurztraminer. The entire case production is around
2000 or as Randy likes to put it, “I make about 24,000 bottles
of wine per year.” The Harvest Moon winery sells its wines
from the tasting room or Web site only. The prices of the wines
are quite reasonable.
Tasting Room is open on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4:00
pm.
In March 2005 the tasting room will be open during the week. Call
ahead before that time to make an appointment.
Phone: (707) 573-8711
E-Mail: info@harvestmoonwinery.com, Web: Harvest
Moon Estate & Winery
Peterson Winery
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From
Highway 101, take the Dry Creek Exit and go west. In a few
miles turn right onto Lytton Springs Road. Look for the Peterson
Winery entrance on the right (1040 Lytton Springs Road). The
Peterson Winery does not have tasting room hours so call ahead
for an appointment. Take your time driving the one-mile road
from the entrance gate. You will be treated to a spectacular
view of the vineyards. This is gorgeous wine country.
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 Lytton
Springs - Dry Creek Valley
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The Peterson Winery makes at least ten different wines that include
three vineyard-designated Zinfandels. Peterson produces only 4000
cases of wine per year and the case lots for some of these labels
can be very limited. The winery is located in a red barn structure
and the tasting room is just across from the barn. Jan Gironimi,
the office manager, pours the delicious Peterson wines to visitors.
Our favorites on this tasting were the Bradford Mountain Zinfandel,
the Agraria, also known as the Big Barn Red. It is a Bordeaux style
blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot.
It is a lush wine with lots of flavors. The Bradford Mountain Cabernet
Sauvignon is also an excellent wine.
The winegrower and winemaker is Fred Peterson. Fred has been making
wines here since 1987. His winemaking philosophy is much like that
of Randy’s at Harvest Moon Winery. Fred believes that great
wines are the result of what occurs in the vineyards. With great
vineyard management there is little left to do during the winemaking
process.
Tasting room is open by appointment only.
Phone: (707) 431-7668
E-Mail: friends@petersonwinery.com, Web: Peterson
Winery
Suggested Lunch Stop
In Santa Rosa
Jon
Ash & Co at the Vintners Inn
In Healdsburg
Dry
Creek Kitchen
317 Healdsburg Ave.
Healdsburg; (707) 431-0330
For something a little less fancy but good pub food:
Healdsburg Bar & Grill
245 Healdsburg Ave.
Healdsburg; 707/433-1580
Deli’s
Costeaux French
Bakery & Cafe
417 Healdsburg Ave.
(707) 433-1913, info@costeaux.com
Center
Street Café & Deli
304 Center St. (On the Plaza)
(707) 433-7224, FAX (707) 895-2253
Oakville
Market
124 Matheson Street
(707) 433-3200, Fax: (707) 433-2744
Healdsburg Lodging
See our list of the top lodging
in the Russian River Wine Country
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