Our relationship with the Dutton family and their acclaimed vineyards started in 2011, when our winemaker, Heidi, joined MacRostie. Heidi had worked with grapes from the Dutton family during her time at Sonoma-Cutrer and then brought her relationship with Steve and Joe Dutton to MacRostie.

The Dutton family’s farming heritage in Sonoma County goes back to 1881 when brothers Warren and Reed Dutton purchased the family’s first 200 acres in Santa Rosa to grow prunes—a hot commodity at the time. In the decades that followed, the Duttons gained acclaim as Sonoma County farmers. Long-time wine country residents may recall the family’s roadside fruit stand on Sebastopol Road just west of Stony Point Road, where Warren’s wife, Gail Dutton, and her sons Joe and Steve, sold pears, prunes, and apples to passing motorists.

In 1967, Warren guided the family into the grape-growing business and planted the first Chardonnay field in far western Sonoma. Today, sons Steve and Joe Dutton guide one of Sonoma County’s most successful vineyard operations. Recognized as one of the first families of Sonoma County viticulture, the Duttons are extremely hands-on as they guide their highly skilled staff, and the company’s strong tradition of sustainable farming and being stewards of the land (they still grow organic apples).

Today, we have a great working relationship with three generations of the Dutton family, sourcing fruit from many of their most highly prized sites to use in an array of acclaimed single-vineyard and appellation-designated wine. These include The Loch and The Key, our Dutton Ranch Chardonnay, Manzana Vineyard Pinot, and our Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. We love working with the Duttons. They are a proud family business, who farm great vineyards and do it right. They are also great people and great Vineyard Partners.