Hogan's Run Vineyard

PINOT NOIR FROM THE HEART OF THE RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

Our Story

We are Susie & Fred, who fell in love with the Russian River Valley when we visited from the Bay Area to pick up Pinot noir grapes for a home wine project. Our close friend Pete S. who over a period of 15 years was making fabulous wines in his garage, was making Pinot noir and we jumped on the band wagon that year.

We had purchased grapes from Randy Peters’ Sebastapol vineyard, and Randy was bringing it over to be destemmed for us at Ray Taldeschi’s vineyard in Dry Creek Valley. It was early on a cool, gray, Saturday morning. Once there we met Ray, his wife, their dog and Randy Peters, himself! Standing under a big sky, surrounded by grapevines, birdsong in the air, dogs running around, and watching Ray and team bring up the beautiful purple grapes, it was so hard not to fall in love with this heaven. While we had worked a career that kept us in offices or on planes, we truly are lovers of the outdoors and of working the earth. We decided that day that we would start looking for property in Sonoma County.

It took us a couple of years, but Fred was very particular in ensuring we selected a Pinot noir vineyard with the right location and orientation. We moved to the Russian River Valley in 2010 and named our vineyard in memory of our loyal and beautiful, Black Lab, Hogan. We knew that like us, he would have loved to roam on the property by our side. While Hogan is no longer with us, our new canine family of Chado and Dorjee, stand guard at Hogan’s Run Vineyard.

Oh yeah, about the wine…. It was lovely! We dubbed it: Teenie Weenie Pinot because we were teenie winemakers taking on the daunting task of producing a really good Pinot with favorable results. Using the grapes from Randy Peters for our home-made wine taught us that superior grapes is a key component of creating good wines. So after purchasing and moving to Hogan’s Run, we decided to focus on growing the best grapes ever – and then allowing our artisan, boutique winemaker clients to do their magic. The results speak for itself!

winter

spring

summer

fall

Our Vineyard & Grapes

History

Hogan’s Run Vineyard was planted in 2000. Between 2000 and 2010, the fruit from the vineyard went into wines that included labels such as Sapphire Hills, Siduri, Paradise Ridge and Amphora.

The Location

Hogan’s Run Vineyard is located in the middle-reach of the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County – right in the heart of the Russian River Valley. The Russian River Valley is recognized globally primarily for producing outstanding world-class Pinot noir and Chardonnay. Wine produced from the grapes grown in middle-reach area are richer fuller bodied and opulent yet feminine with silky mouth-feel.

The Orientation

Hogan’s Run Vineyard is situated on a hillside with the vine rows oriented 20 degrees East of West. This row orientation ensures even and optimal sunlight exposure. To the South of the vineyard is the Petaluma Gap area which is very cool and foggy with extreme coastal influences. To the North of the vineyard are towns such as Healdsburg, where the temperatures are extremely hot. Being situated between these two extreme temperate regions, Hogan’s Run makes for an excellent growing meso-climate for Pinot noir. The Northern hot temperatures generates convection from the Petaluma Gap creating afternoon breezes, keeping the temperature in the vineyard cool in the afternoons with fog coming in during the evenings. This perfectly suits our Pinot noir, which thrives in short hot days and cool evenings. Typical of the true Russian River Pinot noir.

The Fruit

Hogan’s Run is a little over 10 acres in total, with 6.0 acres planted with 3 clones of Pinot noir.

Pinot noir clone 667
This clone is known for strong color, and hi-tone flavors with quality aromas. The fruit is fleshy, firm, and thick with soft tannin.
Fruit flavors tend to be dark cherry, raspberry, strawberry and spice.

Pinot noir clone 777
This clone is known for strong and intense color due to thicker skins and higher seed count. Wine made with this clone tend to be very aromatic with dense and complex black fruit flavors (black cherry, cassis), as well as with leather, tobacco, and earthy notes.

Pinot noir clone Pommard
Wines from this clone are known for having medium body and soft tannins with flavors such as earthiness, dried mushroom and cherry pie.

Sustainably Farmed

Hogan’s Run Vineyard is proud to be certified as sustainably farmed. We farm for lower yield with a focus on quality. We work very closely with our client winemakers as well as with North Pacific Vineyard Management to ensure we provide our clients with the best fruit ensuring excellent wines. Wines made from Hogan’s Run grapes are rated in the 90s by organizations such as Wine Spectator, Prince of Pinot, and Connoisseur Review. Thank you, our great winemaker clients!!

We are also proud members of California Association of Winegrape Growers and Sonoma County Wine Growers Association (SCW). SCW has been driving Sonoma’s mission of becoming the first 100% sustainable Wine Region in the Nation.
To find out more about Sonoma County Sustainable farming: http://www.sonomawinegrape.org

Wines Of Our Grapes

Hogan’s Run Vineyard is focused on developing relationships with winemakers who are artisans focused on producing fine hand crafted wines. We are proud to have had partnerships with many fine producers and encourage you to experience their wines.

Makasi 2021 Pinot Noir, Hogan's Run Vineyard, Russian River Valley

Fulcrum Hogan’s Run Vineyard Pinot Noir

Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine
Fulcrum Hogan’s Run Vineyard 2019 Russian River Valley
It is next to impossible to pick a favorite between this wine and its mate from the Conzelman Vineyard as each is a very deep, keenly varietal working neither of which is in the least sparing in fruity richness. It is, by a very small margin, the riper leaning of the two, but its ripeness comes without so much as a hint of heat, and its velvety tannins are so expertly buffered by juicy, black cherry fruit, that one can choose to lay it away for five-plus years or drink it today with grilled loin lamb chops or a rare New York steak. 93 Points – June 2021

Jeb Dunnuck
Fulcrum 2019 Hogan’s Run Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
The 2019 Pinot Noir Hogan’s Run Vineyard comes from the Russian River. Its ruby/plum color gives way to a charming, nicely fruited, medium-bodied Pinot Noir that has ample spiced red and black fruits as well as a touch of spice, cola, and dried herbs. It’s nicely textured and a terrific wine. 90 Points – Jeb Dunnuck, July 2021

Burghound
Fulcrum 2018 Hogan’s Run Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River
Elegant, pure and airy aromas are comprised by notes of cherry, red plum and subtle spice nuances. The sleek, delineated and vibrant middle weight flavors possess a dusty texture and particularly so on the rich, focused and sneaky long finale that also flashes a touch of youthful austerity. Assuming that you have at least a few years of patience, this should be lovely in time. 90 Points – Allan Meadows, June 2020