• VDR Wine bottle

  • The Wine

    Very Dark Red—the name speaks for itself. Effortlessly bold, it captivates the senses with an inherent confidence that draws you in. Slightly mysterious, yet unexpectedly approachable, this robust red blend reveals new layers of depth and personality with each lingering sip.

    98 points Double Gold 2020 San Francisco International Wine Competition
    Vintage 2018

    92 points The Tasting Panel
    2018, 2019, 2020 Vintages

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The Place

Our vines are rooted at the southern edge of California’s renowned Monterey County winegrowing region in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains – a unique pocket of the Central Coast ideally suited to growing bold and expressive fruit.

  • The Dirt Read More

  • The Climate Read More

  • The Terrain Read More

  • The Dirt

    Planted in well-draining shaly loam and rocky soils, our vines are naturally forced to struggle for survival. Deep beneath the ground, hidden from view, they put in the work – not for the applause, but for the vitality of the vine. The resulting wine showcases a strength of character grounded in fortitude and resiliency.

  • The Climate

    The east-west orientation of our vineyards combined with the unique surrounding terrain creates a distinctive microclimate. Warm, sun-soaked days are countered with day-to-night temperature swings of as much as 50 degrees – ideal conditions for fostering concentrated, balanced, and voluptuous wines.

  • The Terrain

    Situated in a rugged valley flanked by the Santa Lucia Mountains to the west and the Gabilan Range to the east, our vines thrive undisturbed, perfectly shielded from the fury of Monterey’s trademark afternoon winds.

  • The Respect

    Our commitment to environmental stewardship of the land and the community is paramount in every decision we make. From the vineyard to the winery and beyond, we are continually adopting new and improved practices that favor a sustainable future for generations to come.

  • VDR Wind Turbine
    • Grapes on Vine

    • Certified Sustainable

      VDR is proudly recognized as a California Certified Sustainable wine, a statewide third-party certification affirming the winery’s commitment to continually improving and implementing sustainable practices.

    • Powered by Renewable Energy

      Our winery is 100% powered by an on-site wind turbine that converts the Salinas Valley’s powerful trademark winds into clean, renewable energy. In addition to fueling our wine production, this sustainable power source also supplies power to 125 homes in our local community.

    • Wind Turbine

    • Sustainable Growing

      We believe that nurturing and protecting our vineyards is essential to crafting exceptional wines. As thoughtful stewards of the land, we consciously implement sustainable growing practices including water conservation methods, cover crops, composting, integrated pest management, and many additional low-impact farming measures that support the continued vitality of our environment.

    • Winery

      In addition to our wind turbine, our state-of-the-art winery is designed to minimize our environmental impact through waste reduction, water conservation, and efficient energy use.

    • Barrel Room

    • Additional Certifications

      We believe in the value of third-party certification and the transparency it serves to our community. Along with our California Certified Sustainable Wine (CCSW) certification, our vineyards hold third-party certifications from: Global G.A.P. Certification, BRC British Retail Consortium, and Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Certified.

    • VDR wine bottle on side Certification logos

The VDR Difference

Uninterested in the status quo, we daringly unite the collective strengths of two unlikely allies to create one profound Very Dark Red blend.

While traditionalists may question the idea of blending two powerhouse varietals like Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot, we embraced the possibilities that such a scandalous marriage might unveil—and the risk paid off. Bold and uncompromising, VDR effortlessly combines the expressive flavors of Petite Sirah with the supple tannic structure of Petit Verdot, revealing an intensely hued, full-bodied wine that is unlike any other.

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