Hook and Ladder Winery

Welcome, oenophiles and curious travelers, to Hook and Ladder Winery, situated on the picturesque Olivet Lane right in the heart of the Russian River Valley. As you step onto the property, you might immediately sense a stark…

As you survey the outdoor picnic area and approach the main facilities, the visual motifs of Cecil's first career are proudly on display. The name of the winery itself, Hook and Ladder, is a direct homage to his days on the fire…

Step out toward the edge of the vines and take a deep breath. To understand why Hook and Ladder produces such exceptional wines, we must analyze the unique geography of where we stand. …

Let us examine a specific block of vines near the property edge: the Cabernet Franc. The viticulturists here lovingly refer to this specific varietal as 'Medusa.' Unlike the orderly, polite growth of some other vines, Cabernet…

As you look down the rows between the vines, you will notice that the earth is not scraped bare. Instead, there is plant matter, or 'cover crop,' growing in the middle. …

We now approach the crush pad and the working heart of the winery. During harvest, this area is a frenzy of meticulously orchestrated chaos. …

Step inside the barrel room, where the air is cool and fragrant with the heady aromas of evaporating wine and toasted wood. Barrel aging is a critical, transformative phase in winemaking. …

As our tour of Hook and Ladder concludes, it is highly recommended that you experience the culmination of this labor in the tasting room. If you try only one wine, let it be 'The Tillerman.' This flagship blend is the liquid…