Marin Wines are Deliciously Different
Marin County is on the cusp of a renaissance in its wine making endeavors, providing yet another rich resource for Marin home owners and their enjoyment of the good life. There is something unique about the wines that come from grapes grown in Marin County and vintners are dedicated to making that distinction more competitive and high profile as the southern neighbor of the famed Sonoma and Napa wine regions. 

Vineyards Once Abundant
In the 19th century and into the start of the 20th century, Marin was planted in hundreds of acres of vines. But the region suffered a serial of blows to its viticulture industry that started with the 1906 earthquake that destroyed much of San Francisco and reached northward to devastate Marin County. Then came Prohibition in which only the growing of sacramental wine was permitted, followed by WWII and a phylloxera  infestation. All these years of low production led to many Marin vineyards being sold for homes and the expansion of urban development before Marin home owners moved to protect the county’s open spaces.

Marin Vines Flower Again
But, it was inevitable that visionaries would appreciate the unique environment of Marin County that  produces lush vineyards and varietals to rival the more famous wine country to the north. Just one distinction is the weather in Marin.  Because Marin County is in the embrace of bodies of water on three sides, the winter temperatures tend to be warmer than they are in Napa and Sonoma. Conversely, the summers are cooler and without heat waves that frequently visit inland counties to the north. These conditions accelerate bud break, and extend flowering and the harvest season.

The soils of Marin also give its wines unique character. Because of the region’s volcanic activity, earthquakes and erosion patterns, soils across Marin County are diverse and much is well suited to nourish grape vines. All this adds up to conditions that support cool-climate wines such as Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Merlot. Some experts say Marin’s climate resembles that of Burgundy in France.
A Sampling of Marin Wineries.
Today, there are scores of family owned vineyards planted throughout Marin’s wild and undeveloped west.  Among them is the historic Pacheco Ranch Winery that sits on 70 acres, first settled in 1876 by Gumesindo Pacheco. In the 1970s, his great-grandson’s family breathed new life into the winemaking operation that today produces about 800 cases of wine. The property, with the two-story Italianate home built by Gumesindo Pacheco, is open for tours and tasting.

The Point Reyes Vineyard has called Marin home for three generations. The tasting room offers a wide variety of “cool climate wines” such as Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and Pinot Noir. Newer to scene is the Ross Valley winery, at home in Marin County since 1987. This small winery takes a very personal approach to its wine making, keeping filtering and sulfates to a minimum and having a genuine hands-on approach. Consequently, the winemaker preserves the “alive” character of its varietals.
Marin home owners who explore the county’s wine growing region will find abundant hospitality and people anxious to share their excitement about the wines they make. The family-owned wineries usually specialize in a limited number of varietals, focusing on what their soil and micro-climate best produces. Pey-Marin Vineyards, for example, concentrates on wines originally from northern France such as Pinot Noir as made in Burgundy and Riesling from Alsace. Mt. Tamalpias Vineyards, by contrast, are dedicated to producing Merlot similar to that from southern France.

Warm and Welcoming
Other Marin County wineries similarly adapt their growing to the soils and dedicate themselves to growing in sustainable and environmentally friendly ways. Visitors to western Marin will be pleased with the variety available, the uniqueness of Marin wines and the friendly winemakers who greet them.
Surrounding these outstanding wineries are even more places for Marin home owners to enjoy at their leisure. Many attractions such as creameries, cheese factories, organic gardens and oyster farms are just a short drive from Marin wine country. A day or weekend spent touring this flowering wine country is an experience available to Marin County home owners any time the spirit of the vine moves them.