Peterson Winery has been making soulful wines in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley for over 30 years. Please come by and learn more about our unique, artisanal wines crafted using a low-tech yet high-touch approach we call "Zero Manipulation.". Sign up for our occasional emails and be one of the first to take advantage of limited offers and upcoming events.
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My goal for Peterson Winery and myself is a simple one - to craft better and better wines each year. Having grown grapes and made wine since the 70s, we still continue to improve. We also continue our long-standing traditions of farming sustainably and making wines with as much care and attention to detail as possible.
It starts in the vineyards, where we try to achieve a balance from bud break in the spring until the grapes are picked in the fall. The canopy, crop load, sun exposure, hang time, and hundreds of other details involved in managing a vineyard all must be considered to achieve the right balance. Once the grapes are picked, it becomes the winemaker's responsibility to continue the balancing act in the cellar.
Overlooking the western edge of Dry Creek Valley, our Bradford Mountain Estate Vineyard spans 16 acres on the very top of the 1264--foot peak that Fred cleared and planted in the 1980s. Well-drained, red-clay soil, combined with sunny days and cool nights, produce small, intensely flavored grapes. Friends and growers Paul and Yael Bernier farm this small block of Zinfandel by their house in the Northern part of Dry Creek Valley on the East Bench.
In the heart of Dry Creek Valley, peaking just over a thousand feet, lies Bradford Mountain. Near the summit, proprietor Fred Peterson has his house, and 20 acres of vineyard planted to 14 different grape varietals. This club is for those with an appreciation for this special place, and the truly terroir driven wines that are produced from these vineyards.
We are located in the picturesque Dry Creek Valley, in the northwest region of Sonoma County in Northern California, just outside of the idyllic town of Healdsburg. As we have limited space, appointments are subject to availability for both indoor tasting and outdoor seated tastings.
Our simple, converted tasting room, with large windows and views of the Dry Creek Valley, is a laid-back, comfortable space in which to become acquainted with our wine offerings.Upcoming public events and private club member events are always a great way to connect with our winemaking team and family.
Our simple, converted tasting room, with large windows and views of the Dry Creek Valley, is a laid-back, comfortable space in which to become acquainted with our wine offerings.Upcoming public events and private club member events are always a great way to connect with our winemaking team and family.
Reviews (26)
Vincent Stange
May 10, 2021
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Samantha H.
Jul 01, 2020
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We visited Peterson shortly after reopening due to COVID and our experience could not have been better. We had a one on one experience with Jamie and his father, who actually both make the wines. They were incredibly polite and very knowledgeable. We learned a quite a bit about wine making through our conversations. This winery really cared about their customers safety and experience.
Lisa K.
Dec 29, 2019
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Peterson's Winery was such a lovely, rich experience, that if it was a bottle of wine it would be the prize of the collection. The wines here were extraordinarily delicious, well worth the beautiful and easy drive up Dry Creek Valley from the hotel. We learned a lot, and our brains and taste buds were expanded. But the warm hospitality and insights from Gabe, managing the tasting room, made the experience a memorable 5- star adventure. He's an insightful, connecting and wonderful host. Conversation and connection created a memorable experience for us in a region of many nice wineries
Joe Gargiulo
Dec 06, 2019
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Kendall N.
Apr 17, 2019
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I've thought long and hard about writing this review. I like to support small businesses but the reverse is true as well. The small businesses I support must provide good customer service and fix their issues.
I joined the club in November 2018 after a great experience in the tasting room. I picked up my first shipment of six bottles plus a bottle of port at the same time. Four of the six bottles I have opened contained a lot of sediment, an unusual amount. The wines tasted alright but not as good as what I had in the tasting room. I thought I was having bad luck until I received my
I joined the club in November 2018 after a great experience in the tasting room. I picked up my first shipment of six bottles plus a bottle of port at the same time. Four of the six bottles I have opened contained a lot of sediment, an unusual amount. The wines tasted alright but not as good as what I had in the tasting room. I thought I was having bad luck until I received my
Jane D.
Mar 10, 2019
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Our group went to all the wineries in this area and this was the best experience! I can not say enough great thing about Emily! She was extremely friendly and was great about chatting with us and making us feel at home. She was also extremely knowledgeable and told us all about wine and the process! I can not recommend them enough. By the time we left I felt like Emily was a long time friend!!
J. D. Abbey
Oct 26, 2018
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Wendy Junker Wright
Jul 24, 2018
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Kristina Buchner
Jun 02, 2018
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Linnea H.
Apr 04, 2018
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Our experience here was just ok. It is located in a cluster of family wine groups, so location was great if you were wanting to park and try a bunch of smaller, warehouse-style wineries within a short distance. They did have a great mix of ready-to-enjoy and cellaring wines. We didn't have a reservation for a party of 6, and we were continually reminded of that even though there was no one else in the tasting room until the last two wines in our flight. Our tasting host was very knowledgeable about the wines and was willing to answer questions about the vineyard and history of their wines
Tom Singerline
Dec 11, 2017
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Dasha Biswas
Oct 04, 2017
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Great experience! I came with my girlfriend on a Sunday morning, it was already quite busy. Yet, Danny was very welcoming and kept checking back on us. He was very knowledgeable and made us feel very welcome.
Their wines are really good and you get to experience some older vintages, not as common at your "average tasting".
We loved their 2012 Zin, but I ended up buying Port. Yummmm! Highly recommend.
Thank you again!
Dasha and Yaneth
Their wines are really good and you get to experience some older vintages, not as common at your "average tasting".
We loved their 2012 Zin, but I ended up buying Port. Yummmm! Highly recommend.
Thank you again!
Dasha and Yaneth
Camelia N.
Oct 01, 2017
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Peterson is an award-winning, family owned and operated Dry Creek Valley winery known for its artistic animal-inspired labels and deep, multilayered, and soulful red wines, with a smaller production of white and seasonal rosé as well. The tasting room and winemaking facilities are located in a sort of vintner's collective (Timbercrest Farms) just off of Dry Creek Road, somewhat reminiscent of wine "ghettos" I enjoy visiting in Lompoc (Santa Barbara) and Templeton (Paso Robles).
Peterson is not a newcomer to the Dry Creek Valley, however, and its community ties run deep. The founding
Peterson is not a newcomer to the Dry Creek Valley, however, and its community ties run deep. The founding
Bradley N.
Oct 01, 2017
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The Dry Creek Valley is one of those interesting places in Sonoma wine country where old vine Zinfandel "field blends" are king, an ongoing effort at preserving heritage clones first introduced into the area by turn of the century Italian immigrants and their Californian descendants. It would be hard to imagine the area without its iconic, head-trained, gnarled vines sprouting lush, leafy canopies of green to guard the precious berry clusters from too much direct sunshine.
But the Dry Creek Valley is about more than heritage vines and field blended Zins. It is also a place for experimentation
But the Dry Creek Valley is about more than heritage vines and field blended Zins. It is also a place for experimentation
Joyce Leahy
Sep 24, 2017
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Luke M.
Jul 17, 2017
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Frank N.
Mar 25, 2017
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Great Great Great and Great again. .....
We had the pleasure of visiting the Petersen Winery in Dry Creek , what a great find. We had a great host Danny who not only allowed us to taste every wine they made but allowed us to join their wine club. What a great experience as Danny explained all aspects of how to check out wines. We ended up purchasing several wines and aerators, he gave us a tour of the vineyard and took us to their next door Winery neighbor.
It was also great to need Fred Petersen and his daughter Emily, great hosts !
We'll be back !
We had the pleasure of visiting the Petersen Winery in Dry Creek , what a great find. We had a great host Danny who not only allowed us to taste every wine they made but allowed us to join their wine club. What a great experience as Danny explained all aspects of how to check out wines. We ended up purchasing several wines and aerators, he gave us a tour of the vineyard and took us to their next door Winery neighbor.
It was also great to need Fred Petersen and his daughter Emily, great hosts !
We'll be back !
Linda B.
Feb 26, 2017
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Kevin C.
Jun 02, 2016
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I love love love Peterson Winery. I'm familiar with their wines over here in Connecticut and made it a priority to go visit when I spent a week in Sonoma. Winemaker Jamie Peterson gave our group a private tour of their cellar and wine aging area before his sister Emily led us to the picnic area to sample wines. We were there celebrating my sisters wedding weekend and had a large and rowdy group. Credit to Emily for letting us take our time and slowly get through all the wine. The grounds were gorgeous and the wine was even better. Emily and Jamie did a great job answering our questions and
Heather R.
Mar 31, 2016
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Who knew we'd get an educational wine tasting and entertainment, too? Danny was knowledgable and quite the personable pourer. We nicknamed him the "compass" because he also directed us to other great wineries. A great way to end our day! Enjoyed the variety of wines and education about grapes and region.
Chun P.
Jan 19, 2016
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Steve S.
Apr 20, 2015
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Sooooo many wineries! How the hell do you know which one is a decoy and which is the real deal? Yelp may help - but in this case, a reference from Trentadue after we told her we like reds. Peterson is the real deal!!
What is good about Peterson Winery? Certainly not the facility which is in a cluster of tasting shops on a hill off the main road. The tasting room is nice - don't get me wrong! It's just not in a bucolic setting of oaks and carefully tended gardens. It is all about: the wine! They have blends and 100% wines. Sofie and I liked the 2012 Il Granaio Sangiovese the
What is good about Peterson Winery? Certainly not the facility which is in a cluster of tasting shops on a hill off the main road. The tasting room is nice - don't get me wrong! It's just not in a bucolic setting of oaks and carefully tended gardens. It is all about: the wine! They have blends and 100% wines. Sofie and I liked the 2012 Il Granaio Sangiovese the
Chris K.
Sep 23, 2014
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Let me start out by saying that Peterson wines are the best value we encountered over three days in Sonoma. The wines stand up against wines priced 50%-100% higher. That plus fun, quirky, well-done labels make these great wines to give as gifts--especially if you're not from the west coast because you're not going to find these in your typical wines shop.
We tried over a half-dozen wines (they make something like 25 different wines, which is pretty outrageous), and while some of them didn't quite do it for me, some were really outstanding.
The tasting room is in a parking lot,
We tried over a half-dozen wines (they make something like 25 different wines, which is pretty outrageous), and while some of them didn't quite do it for me, some were really outstanding.
The tasting room is in a parking lot,
Tom P.
Feb 19, 2013
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I keep forgetting to review this place. But this is one of my two very favorite wineries in wine country -- the other being a PN/Chard shop down in Carneros. This is very different, but in a great way.
First of all, Peterson is the opposite of pretentious. There's a lot of decent wine in Sonoma, but not so many decent experiences when it comes to visiting wineries. Peterson is the opposite. It's a great experience.
Melissa and the other woman who work there will chat with you, maybe throw a couple of curse words in here and there just to show you how not-stuck-up they are, and generally
First of all, Peterson is the opposite of pretentious. There's a lot of decent wine in Sonoma, but not so many decent experiences when it comes to visiting wineries. Peterson is the opposite. It's a great experience.
Melissa and the other woman who work there will chat with you, maybe throw a couple of curse words in here and there just to show you how not-stuck-up they are, and generally
Sarika S.
Oct 07, 2012
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Can I give this place 7 stars? We went in for wine tasting- which was complimentary. Melissa, who helped us out, was so nice! Friendly and enlightened us on the wine. I let her know that I was the driver so I would only try a few and she was great and gave me little sips. My favorite was the 2009 Zin from the Bradford Mountain Estate. They sell wine in these mini-barrels (it was like wine in a keg!).
I asked Melissa if we could walk around where the wine was made and she lead us out back. She was explaining the process to us and luckily the owner Fred was there. He was pleasant and so welcoming
I asked Melissa if we could walk around where the wine was made and she lead us out back. She was explaining the process to us and luckily the owner Fred was there. He was pleasant and so welcoming
Denny B.
Mar 11, 2012
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Remarkable wines especially when one considers the price - real value for quality.
We bought 2009 Zero Manipulation for $15. How can one pass on a wine with a Jackalope on the label? Inside the bottle is a great Wednesday wine, maybe even a Friday wine.
Whitey, the 15 year old giant cat, is the star animal of our winery tasting travels. Friendly and loveable. Also, helps you pick the wines.
The Dry Creek wineries produce a wider variety of wines and styles of wines than the traditional PN and Zin crowd along the Russian River. This area of the Alexander Valley is surprisingly good. We
We bought 2009 Zero Manipulation for $15. How can one pass on a wine with a Jackalope on the label? Inside the bottle is a great Wednesday wine, maybe even a Friday wine.
Whitey, the 15 year old giant cat, is the star animal of our winery tasting travels. Friendly and loveable. Also, helps you pick the wines.
The Dry Creek wineries produce a wider variety of wines and styles of wines than the traditional PN and Zin crowd along the Russian River. This area of the Alexander Valley is surprisingly good. We
