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Iron Horse VineyardsPronunciation Wine Tasting The Iron Horse tasting room is open 7 days a week from 10am to 4:30pm. Tastings are $20 per flight of 5 wines (refunded with purchase). Wine Club Type of Producer Overall Producer Style Overall Iron Horse sparkling wines are low dosage which contributes to crispness. They proudly display their Green Valley AVA terroir displaying refined minerality. Annual Production Approximately 15,000 cases are produced annually. Key People Current Owner Winemaker CEO/President HistoryA visit to Iron Horse Vineyards is a bit of a challenge, but well worth the detour off the beaten path and up a narrow lane. At the top you will find a laid back rustic atmosphere with an emphasis on enjoying the beauty of nature. Magical gardens and spectacular views welcome visitors. It is said that on a clear day you can see all the way across Sonoma County to Mount St. Helena. Exploring the history behind the Iron Horse logo and tradition is just part of the experience. History Iron Horse Vineyards name comes from the fact that it was originally a railway stop in the 1890s, the only railway stop in Sonoma's Green Valley. Deserted for many years, Rodney Strong rediscovered the potential in the 1970s and began planting vineyards comprised of Pinot Noir and half Chardonnay. Barry Sterling and his wife Audrey met at Stanford University and married soon after Barry graduated, passed the bar to become an attorney, and was inducted into the Army. They eventually moved to Paris and envisioned starting a winery. They did not find their perfect site in France, but when they returned home to California, they continued their quest. In 1976 the Sterlings purchased Iron Horse and set about completing the vineyards and renovating the run down Victorian house into one of Sonoma's beautiful homes. The logo, a rampant horse on a weather vane, was inspired by a 19th century weather vane unearthed during the project. The first sparkling wines were produced from the 1980 vintage. Three generations currently reside on the vineyard property. Barry and Audrey's daughter, Joy Sterling left a high profile career as a television journalist to become a partner in 1986. Joy is now CEO and her brother Laurence is director of operations. The winery has a loyal following with about half the total production allocated to their wine clubs. Iron Horse was named an American Icon in "Icons of the American Marketplace". The winery is surrounded by beautiful gardens with flowers and trees, including over 200 varieties of roses. Visitors to Iron Horse will see firsthand the commitment to excellence and the love they have for the land. Contact InformationAddress Website Visitor Information Open Days / Hours Tours Please contact Iron Horse Vineyards directly for updates on open days, tours, etc.
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