50 Years from Tom Dehlinger
Fall 2024
2024 is the 50th year our Estate vineyard vines have been in the ground, and we are currently harvesting the 50th vintage of Dehlinger wine. For me it is staggering to think that in that span over five million bottles have been hand crafted, filled, corked, hand- labeled, shipped out, and hopefully opened and enjoyed. I am grateful to have participated in the Sonoma County wine renaissance and to have spent my working career in a pursuit I was passionate about, working for myself, and beholden only to you, our customers.
The Russian River Valley is a very healthy place to live and work. The climate is mild, the air is clean and fresh, and the birds seem to far outnumber the insects. Even in dry years there is enough winter rain to sustain our dry-farmed vines through the late summer harvest. Fruits, vegetables and flowers grow well, and Carole and I are surrounded by native forest, spring fed creeks, and abundant wildlife. The stars are bright at night in our rural atmosphere miles from city lights, and their revolutions mark the progression of the seasons. Our four children grew up on the ranch, and two, Carmen and Eva, are now managing partners in the business and have children of their own.
We are proud of our record of consistent quality wines, achieved through a blend of science, art, and attention to detail. We are also proud of our workplace culture which provides our employees with extensive training, year-round work, solid employee benefits and living wages. Growing grapes for world class wines would not be possible without the skill and effort of our vineyard team, whose fourteen members have an average tenure at Dehlinger of fourteen years. Your support has made this good life possible for all of us, and allows our independent and traditional winegrowing enterprise to continue and endure. Thank you.
- Tom Dehlinger