How Two Farmers Helped Transform the Russian River Valley’s Wine Industry - A Tribute
Happy 40th Anniversary - Russian River Valley Appellation!
The Russian River Valley AVA is a world-renowned wine-growing region in Sonoma County, California, known for its cool climate and fertile soils. However, 40 years ago, the region's farmers were struggling to differentiate themselves from other regions and sell their produce. Enter Warren Dutton and Saralee Kunde, two farmers who recognized the potential of this valley and played an instrumental role in its transformation along with so many other dedicated growers and winemakers. Forming the Russian River Valley Winegrowers.
Warren Dutton was a farmer whose family had been tending the land since the 1880’s. He was one of the founding members of the Russian River Valley Grape Growers Association and recognized the area's potential for grape growing early on. For many years, Dutton had been working to promote the region and was involved in several efforts to establish the Russian River Valley as a distinct wine-growing area. He is also credited with putting the Russian River Valley and the Green Valley appellations on the international map.
Saralee McClelland Kunde, a dairy rancher’s daughter, was also a grape farmer who was working in the Russian River Valley and a grower of prized wine grapes. She was part of a group of farmers and winemakers who recognized the potential for the region and formed the Russian River Valley Grape Growers Association, which eventually became the Russian River Valley Winegrowers. She was a tireless promoter of all things agricultural in Sonoma County. Kunde was an active member of the association and was involved in lobbying efforts to establish the AVA.
Together, Dutton and Kunde worked with other farmers and winemakers to research and gather data about the Russian River Valley's climate, soils, and other unique characteristics to support the AVA petition. They also regularly met with government officials to make their case for the establishment of the AVA.
In the early 1970s, many farmers in Sonoma County were struggling to make ends meet due to the decline of the area's commercial vegetable industry. Additionally, there was an oversupply of apples and prunes, which were the primary crops grown in the region at the time.
Meanwhile, a few pioneering farmers in the Russian River Valley and Sebastopol Hills had recognized the potential of the area for grape growing and had begun to plant vineyards in addition to the already established vegetables and fruit trees. They were attracted to the region's maritime climate, with its cool days and foggy nights, which was ideal for growing certain grape varieties, such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Their grassroots efforts were successful, and the Russian River Valley AVA was established in 1983 after a few years of work and lobbying. It became the fourth AVA in Sonoma County and marked the region's transformation into a world-renowned wine-growing area.
FOUNDERS LIST - RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY AVA
Saralee Kunde - President
Kristin Thigpen - VP
Ann Giere
Rod Berglund
Don Brown
Warren Dutton
Louis Foppiano
Kirk Lokka
Paul Novak
The founding farmers of the Russian River Valley AVA have been credited with transforming a small region into a celebrated wine destination. These farmers were bold visionaries who recognized the potential for growing grapes in the area and worked together to create an American Viticultural Area (AVA).
The success of the Russian River Valley can be attributed in large part to the efforts of Dutton, Kunde, and their fellow farmers and winemakers who recognized the potential of the area and worked tirelessly to promote it. Today, the region is a premier grape-growing area in California, producing exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.
Overall, these pioneering farmers faced many challenges, including a lack of already established infrastructure, knowledge, and funding. They had to learn how to grow grapes in a climate and soil that were previously untried for viticulture. They also had to build relationships with distributors to sell their wines, which could be difficult without the reputation of established wine regions like Napa and Bordeaux.
However, their vision and dedication paid off, as more and more farmers planted vineyards in the region and established wineries to make and sell their wines. Today, the Russian River Valley is a world-renowned wine-growing region, with over 150 wineries and vineyards producing some of the finest wines in the world.
Warren Dutton and Sara Lee Kunde were always forward thinkers with selfless ambition. They sought futuristic opportunities for all growers who are part of the new Russian River Valley Appellation and strove to make sure that the Russian River Valley would be known worldwide as one of best areas in the world to grow grapes. They understood that world-class, award-winning wines could be grown in this area. And the world would embrace these wines. Now others need to carry their torch to keep this great viticulture area moving forward with new success. Warren and Saralee, forever in hearts and vineyards.
– John Balletto, Founder at Balletto Vineyards
Sadly, Warren Dutton and Saralee Kunde have both passed on. However, their legacy and their families live on in the wine industry, and their contributions to the Russian River Valley AVA and the wine community are still celebrated today!
In 2023, the Russian River Valley AVA will celebrate its 40th anniversary since its establishment, marking four decades of excellence in grape growing and winemaking. This milestone acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the people who helped transform the Russian River Valley into the world-renowned wine-growing region it is today. Many wineries in the area are already planning special events, tastings, and celebrations to mark this occasion, which is sure to expand interest in the region and its wines.
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are among the most captivating wines in the world, and rightly so. The distinctiveness of these wines lies in the region's unique and varied soils, combined with the marine layer fog's cooling effect - allowing for a long growing season.
The combination of heat during the day and cool temperatures at night creates the perfect environment and helps produce exceptional grapes, with a perfect balance of sugar, acidity, and tannin. Furthermore, the diverse range of soils, from sandy loam to clay, gravel, and stone, makes for an extensive range of styles. The history of grape growing in the Russian River Valley is also a testament to the winemakers' grit and determination, who faced numerous challenges to establish the region's reputation as a premier grape-growing area. With a rich history, unmatched climate, and distinct soils, it's only natural that wines from the Russian River Valley are in such high regard around the world.
Thanks to the vision and persistence of farmers like Warren Dutton and Saralee McClelland Kunde, the Russian River Valley has been transformed into a globally recognized wine-growing region that produces some of the best wines in the world. The story of their grassroots efforts to establish the Russian River Valley AVA will continue to inspire and inform the wine industry for years to come.
DECADES OF RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY TOUR
It is always an enchanting time to visit the Russian River Valley! In celebration of the 40th anniversary, visitors to the region are invited to embark on a self-guided “Decades of the Russian River Valley” tour. BOOK NOW
Visit the wineries of Russian River Valley to sip through the history of the area, and visit wineries founded in each decade. Each stop will feature a special offer to highlight diverse wine styles, esteemed vineyard sourcing and unique personalities. Choose your own wine tasting adventure, by visiting participating wineries. Remember to make reservations when required and to mention the winery's 40th anniversary offer.
At Balletto Vineyards, we first planted grapes in the Russian River Valley AVA in 1995 and founded our winery in 2001. Decades of farming in Sonoma County. We invite visitors to experience a “Decade of Russian River in Your Glass!”
Offering limited-time access to experiences usually limited exclusively to wine club members! This includes access to the Balletto's Private Library Collection Menu, more than a decade of library wines to choose from and a hand-selected number of wines, usually available only through allocation. This is an exceptionally rare opportunity to secure a piece of Russian River Valley history. We also invite you to JOIN US for our exclusive Library Reserve Experience (Currently Booking for October of 2023) Reservations are required.