A Sixth Generation Farming Family Committed to Sustainable and High Quality Farming
Welcome to Dutton Ranch
Since the 1880’s, members of the Dutton family have been working the land in Sonoma County. Today, the fourth, fifth and sixth generations of the family are farming approximately 1,400 acres of sustainable winegrapes and organic apples in the Russian River Valley, Green Valley, and Sonoma coast appellations. Our grapes, grown in three of the nation’s most prized American Viticulture Areas (AVA), are in high-demand by some of the most respected wineries in California.
Our Story
Today’s Dutton Ranch was founded in 1964 when newlyweds Gail and Warren Dutton moved to a home which is now our main office on beautiful farmland just outside of the small town of Graton, California. Together, Gail and Warren grew apples and wine grapes and would expand their business over the years. Warren Dutton was a fourth generation Sonoma County farmer who instilled his passion for agriculture in his sons, Steve and Joe, who both now own and operate Dutton Ranch with the help of their mom, Gail. Dutton Ranch continues to be a family business and Steve and Joe have passed on their love of agriculture to their children, the sixth generation, who have begun to enter the family business.
Great Wine Comes From Great Fruit
Great fruit comes from treating our land and employees with respect. It comes from low-vigor, well-draining soils, a temperate climate and skilled viticultural practices. Farming 80 different vineyards and 28 apple orchards challenges our skills and provides us with a unique perspective on farming.
All our vineyards are certified sustainable by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance and endorsed by Fish Friendly Farming. In fact Sonoma County is the nation’s most sustainable wine region with more than 99% of the vineyards certified sustainable. In addition, all our apple orchards are organic and certified by the California Certified Organic Farmers, a United States of Agriculture accredited organic certifying agency. Given that we live and work on the land we farm, we have always been committed to being passionate stewards of the land. This is why we believe in sustainable farming practices so that our land and business can thrive for generations to come.
Great fruit also comes from our dedicated, highly-skilled farming team who know the subtle intricacies of every vineyard we own, lease or manage. They are constantly adjusting our protocols to coax the most character in the grapes from each individual terroir.
Our employees are valued members of our farming operation and we are proud that some of them have worked with us for five decades. From the beginning, we have always treated our employees with respect and strived to create an environment where people want to work.