As we brought in our final grapes of the season on October 10th, I took a moment to reflect on how far MacRostie has come and how much I’ve learned over the years. 2025 marks my fifteenth harvest at MacRostie, and my 13th vintage as winemaker. Each season is unique, and 2025 was one of patience, collaboration, and beautiful balance, offering a true reminder of why I love what I do.

A Calm, Balanced Start

The year began with average rainfall and healthy cover crops. While frost was a brief concern, our team and the growers we work with are among the best in the business and we came out of an early season cold snap unscathed. Across our vineyards in the Sonoma Coast and the Russian River Valley, the vines looked vibrant and full of promise. A cool spring delayed bud break slightly and stretched bloom over several weeks, creating wide variation from vineyard to vineyard, one of the qualities that makes this region so fascinating. At our Thale’s Vineyard, bloom began in early May, while at Nightwing Vineyard, Chardonnay bloomed much later. Even with some high mildew pressure in July, our expert growers, including the Duttons, Sangiacomos, and Bacigalupis, worked their magic and kept the vines healthy and thriving.

Summer Heat and Perfect Timing

By early August, we were tracking two to four weeks behind schedule. Warm weather over Labor Day weekend helped ripening accelerate, followed by a gentle cool-down that set the stage for an ideal harvest. Our first Pinot Noir pick came from Thale’s Vineyard on September 5th, and our last Pinot came from Dutton family’s Manzana Vineyard on October 6th. For Chardonnay, we started with Bacigalupi Vineyard on September 16th and finished with our Nightwing Estate and Dutton Jewell Ranch on October 10th.

Overall, yields were up about 10% for Chardonnay, while Pinot Noir came in right on average. The fruit was exceptional, offering juicy, vibrant berries with pure flavor expression and no dehydration. The Pinot Noirs show the complete spectrum of deep red, blue, and black fruit tones with solid color and concentration, while the Chardonnays are radiant, fruit-forward, and elegantly structured.

Vineyard Highlights

At Nightwing Vineyard, years of close observation are paying off. We’ve learned how each clone and block behaves and have fine-tuned our approach to pruning, canopy management, and harvest timing accordingly for each. As a result, the consistency and quality from Nightwing continue to impress. At Thale’s Vineyard, we’ve advanced our canopy coverage experiments to adapt to its warmer location. By using shade cloth, nutrient adjustments, and even natural clay applications (a kind of sunscreen for grapes), we’re protecting fruit freshness during heat events — an exciting evolution in our farming approach.

Teamwork and Innovation

One of my favorite parts of this harvest was the energy in the cellar. Our Cellar Master, Francisco “Paco,” completed his second vintage with us, and our Assistant Winemaker, Carolina, her fifth, with both bringing incredible skill and enthusiasm to their work. We also had two returning interns, which is uncommon. Collectively, the whole team worked together seamlessly, sharing knowledge, running small-lot trials, and keeping things fun along the way. We even did a team pick of one block of our Thale’s Vineyard, and celebrated together afterwards with a toast of sparkling wine to another great year.

Looking Ahead

While it’s far to early to herald the greatness of the vintage, I’m especially excited about several wines, including the Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir, and our wines from the Sangiacomo and Bacigalupi vineyards, both of which delivered stellar fruit. I also expect another sensational vintage from Nightwing. While it will be a while until we share most of our 2025, I’m already looking forward to the spring 2026 release of our 2025 Rosé of Pinot Noir, along with the debut of our new 2025 MacRostie Sauvignon Blanc, both of which reflect the craftsmanship and curiosity that define MacRostie.

As I look back on the 2025 harvest, I’m proud of the teamwork, creativity, and care that made this season special. From Thale’s to Nightwing and beyond, the vineyards shone, and our 2025 wines will too.

Winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen
MacRostie Winery & Vineyards

At a Glance: Sustainable Wine at MacRostie

• Regenerative farming focused on soil health and biodiversity
• Cover crops, composting, and biochar to improve vineyard resilience
• Reduced synthetic inputs and herbicide minimization
• Owl boxes, insectary rows, and sheep grazing for natural balance
• Crafting Sustainable Sonoma Wines with long-term stewardship

At MacRostie Winery and Vineyards, sustainability isn’t a marketing phrase; it’s a responsibility. From our estate vineyards in the Petaluma Gap to our coastal sites along the Sonoma Coast and in the Russian River Valley, we farm with a long-term vision: to leave our land healthier with every vintage.

What Makes a Winery Sustainable?

For us, sustainability means improving the vineyard ecosystem over time, not simply maintaining it. Rather than focusing only on reducing inputs, we practice regenerative agriculture, an approach centered on soil health, biodiversity, and long-term resilience.

Healthy soils support balanced vines. Balanced vines produce wines that express their site more clearly. That connection between farming and flavor defines our philosophy.

Regenerative Wine: Beyond Organic and Sustainable

Consumers often wonder about the difference between organic vs sustainable wine and now, regenerative wine.

• Organic farming focuses on eliminating synthetic chemicals.
• Sustainable farming varies by program and standards.
• Regenerative farming actively restores soil, increases biodiversity, and strengthens ecosystems year after year.

At MacRostie, regenerative practices include planting diverse cover crops, minimizing soil disturbance, composting vineyard materials, producing biochar from prunings, encouraging beneficial insects and birds, and using rotational sheep grazing to naturally manage vegetation.

These practices build soil organic matter, improve water retention, and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers and herbicides.

Why Biodiversity Matters

A vineyard is far more than rows of vines – it is a living, interconnected ecosystem. At MacRostie, we actively cultivate biodiversity to help our vineyards thrive naturally and sustainably.

We plant native hedgerows and flowering insectary rows to support pollinators and beneficial insects that contribute to ecological balance. Owl and bluebird nesting boxes encourage natural predators that help manage gophers and vineyard pests without relying heavily on synthetic controls. During the growing season, carefully managed sheep grazing reduces the need for tractor passes, lowering diesel use while naturally managing vegetation.

Together, these practices create a healthier vineyard environment and reflect what Eco-Friendly Winemaking truly means: working with nature to build resilience, rather than relying solely on intervention.

Does Sustainable Wine Taste Different?

A common question is: Is sustainable wine actually better?

Sustainability alone doesn’t guarantee quality. But healthy vineyards consistently produce more balanced fruit. When vines grow in living soils with deep root systems and natural nutrient cycles, they ripen more evenly and require less intervention.

The result is wine that feels vibrant and expressive of place. Our Chardonnay captures coastal freshness and tension. Our Pinot Noir reflects nuance and vineyard character.

Sustainability enhances authenticity.

Sustainable Wine in California: A Long-Term Commitment

Sustainability in California winegrowing is evolving rapidly. Many wineries are moving beyond compliance-based programs toward regenerative practices that address soil carbon, water conservation, and biodiversity.

At MacRostie, this is not a short-term initiative. It is a multi-generational commitment to strengthening our vineyards with every season.

As one of the wineries advancing sustainable farming in Sonoma County, we believe producing Sustainable Sonoma Wines means investing in the land for decades — not just vintages.

Experience It for Yourself

If you’re visiting Sonoma County, we invite you to experience our vineyards and sustainably made wines firsthand.

Taste how thoughtful farming translates into vibrant Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Walk through vineyards where biodiversity thrives. See how regenerative agriculture shapes the wines in your glass.

Great wine begins with healthy land — and that’s something you can taste.

Interested in wines grown with intention?

Explore our current releases or join our Wine Club for access to limited-production Chardonnay and Pinot Noir crafted from our sustainably farmed vineyards.