Robert Young Estate Winery

…a property in Alexander Valley with a great history

Robert Young was created in 1858. Ellen was looking to begin with a simple family farm on which it was practiced the cultivation of cereals, plums, livestock and the operation of two or three vines just for family consumption.

This property was created by Peter Young (grandfather of Robert Young, who is the father of the current owners of the place). He arrived in the United States, specifically in New York in 1858.

At this time the gold rush knew its heyday, responding to the call of the “American Dream” he left to settle in California. That same year, he and his wife Rachel moved to a ranch southeast of Geyserville (Alexander Valley –Sonoma – California).

Peter and Rachel Young are considered the pioneers in the development of this Alexander Valley. They were indeed elements of motor urban and economic development of the town of Geyserville (Sonoma).

The transformation of the vineyard took place in 1961 with Robert Young (grand son of Peter Young). Seeing the potential of this region and the emergence of a growing market in the United States he decided to pluck plum plots to plant Cabernet Sauvignon. As a anecdote, Robert Young was the first winery to plant Cabernet Sauvignon in this valley: Alexander Valley (Sonoma).

For a personal note, I had a real heart for Robert Young Winery. Primarily an architectural shot heart to see it. A small house with its barn, both white wooden American style. Both surrounded by a breathtaking landscape. It would not take much to recall an old movie “Made in USA“.

I really like this property. Fine wines, fruity, marked by their terroir and that have that something in more that is the hallmark of great wines.

Meet for a drink with Jeff Noel (Director Marketing) and the team of Robert Young. How he describes his passion?

As a profession “representation” (as know-how of the property of the rich soil of the region), “expression” (the goal is not to create a wine industry, without expression, without the typical land but rather to ensure that the soil is best expressed in the wine and that recognizes it), “passion” (as I have often write that being a winemaker is a difficult job, uncertain every year because it is not immune to a big loss on a bad weather), “engagement” (it is rare to see a winemaker working 35 hours a week …. this winemaker stands for 24/7, and most of all a winemaker that is able to give the best of yourself, not counting the hours).

Jeff’s first words to explain his job was “first and foremost I am a farmer.” In this spring when the real difference between assembling plant grapes and vines, grow, look after 24/7, all year round and only finally reap the fruits to make wine.

What is look for each year / what is the signature ROBERT YOUNG WINERY?

The key words of Jeff Noel to describe his wines are “intensity“, “fruity“, “very fragrant“, “relatively strong.” After tasting this proves to be true, especially the “fruity“.

Side stories:

Robert Young Winery produces a Chardonnay aged in concrete tanks of 600L (the egg-shaped tanks that can be seen on the picture) which are immersed in water. This winery has a cellar champagne type, that is to say, carved into the rock.

Thanks to all the Robert Young Winery‘ team and especially Jeff Noel for their hospitality.

Choukroun Chicheportiche Jonathan

Robert Young Winery
4960 Red Winery Road
Geyserville, CA
(707) 431-4811
(707) 433-3228
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