Scherrer Winery

Scherrer Winery is nestled in the far west of Sonoma, as far off the beaten track as you can get. Fred Scherrer is one of California’s great characters, focused on producing long-lived and ultra-pure wines. Every aspect of the winery, and the man himself, is unique! As Antonio Galloni says: “Readers who have not tasted these wines owe it to themselves to do so.”

Story

Fred Scherrer’s vinous journey began in the 1970s. in his own words: “In the mid-1970’s, due to a normal teenage interest in alcoholic beverages, my family allowed me to make some wine from the family vineyard and beer at home (under adult supervision, of course!).” He embraced this fascination by studying for his degree in Fermentation Science at U.C. Davies, followed by his first positions as a winemaker in Alexander Valley and Mendocino County. In the late 1980s he was appointed head winemaker at Dehlinger Winery.

During his 10 years at Dehlinger, Fred honed his approach to single-vineyard production, and winemaking philosophy which is simply: “I try to make good tasting wine that will age well”. Boy, has he nailed it!

His first vintage of Scherrer was in 1991, a Zinfandel from the Family Vineyard, at the Dehlinger winery. In 1997 he and his wife Judi moved to a new and permanent winery just south of Forestville in very west of Russian River Valley. Production has grown steadily to around 3,000 cases per year.

Vineyards

In addition to the Scherrer Vineyard surrounding his family’s farm and house in Alexander Valley, Fred sources fruit from the miniscule 0.4ha Helfer Vineyard in Russian River Valley, Platt Vineyard on the Sonoma Coast, Hallberg in Green Valley, and Martinelli’s legendary Zio Tony Vineyard.

Winemaking

In Fred’s own words: “I try to make good tasting wine that will age well. Most of our work is done and choices are made during the harvest season. Afterward, there is little reason to touch a wine that is on a wonderful trajectory.” All the Pinots, Zinfandels and Chardonnays are bottled without fining or filtration, and have extended elevages, sometime spending 2-3 winters in old oak. Fred gives the same level of attention to detail with his winemaking equipment, hand-building his own sorting table and adjusting the engine-timing on his bottling machine to ensure the gentlest possible process.

Latest arrivals from Scherrer Winery

2015 Scherrer, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 1x75cl

Blend: 100% Chardonnay Production: 796 cases While grown primarily in the sandy Goldridge soil, which tends to produce Pinot Noir with flavours of red fruits and orange peel, this wine also... illustrates some of the deep, brooding black cherry character generally found in the region’s clay soils. It was bottled without fining or filtration, and will age gracefully for many years. Four Corners Wine: "Pure Russian River Valley - lovely dark, earthy, black-fruit aromatics, with a touch of scorched earth, bags of depth, framed by a touch of white pepper and anise. The palate has a great intensity, so juicy and crisp, very classic RRV-style, lots of crisp red berries - especially wild strawberry. Simply delicious, and plenty to come."
£44 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £56.00 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days

2018 Scherrer, Scherrer Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 1x75cl

Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Production: 150 cases The Scherrer Estate Vineyard surrounding the family’s farm and house in Alexander Valley, at the base of the Vaca Mountains. Four Corners... Wine: "The 2018 is a beautifully distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon. The aromatics are loaded with minerality and exotic sandalwood, super-high notes of dark chocolate and floral coffee beans, unusual yet utterly captivating and refined. The palate boasts an incredible structure, coiled and full of tension and energy. With air, layers of pure reds fruits emerge with an elemental-mineral undertone. Notes of toasted fennel seeds and cassis emerge on the long finish. This has masses of cellaring potential, and pushes the envelope for Sonoma Cabernets. In a word: stunning."
£61 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £76.40 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days

2018 Scherrer, Scherrer Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 12x75cl

Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Production: 150 cases The Scherrer Estate Vineyard surrounding the family’s farm and house in Alexander Valley, at the base of the Vaca Mountains. Four Corners... Wine: "The 2018 is a beautifully distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon. The aromatics are loaded with minerality and exotic sandalwood, super-high notes of dark chocolate and floral coffee beans, unusual yet utterly captivating and refined. The palate boasts an incredible structure, coiled and full of tension and energy. With air, layers of pure reds fruits emerge with an elemental-mineral undertone. Notes of toasted fennel seeds and cassis emerge on the long finish. This has masses of cellaring potential, and pushes the envelope for Sonoma Cabernets. In a word: stunning."
£720 / Case£60 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £902.45 / Case, £75.20 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days

2019 Scherrer, Scherrer Vineyard Chardonnay, Sonoma County 1x75cl

VM94
Blend: 100% Chardonnay Production: 136 cases From the family’s hillside Scherrer Vineyard in the far north of Alexander Valley, this sublime Chardonnay has a signature lime note and a leaner,... higher acidity, offering an intense and complex wine. The grapes were whole-cluster pressed to French oak cooperage, where primary and malolactic fermentation occurred. All of these elements were allowed to integrate during its more than yearlong residence in wood. It was bottled without fining or filtration to respect both its delicacy and its more substantial qualities.
£37 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £47.60 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days