Hirsch Vineyards
Summary
Hirsch Vineyards is a family-owned producer farming 72 acres of predominantly Pinot Noir vineyards perched at 1,300-1,600 feet elevation along the San Andreas Fault in Sonoma Coast's Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, where complex sandstone and shale soils create 60 distinct farming blocks. Their pioneering approach includes biodynamic farming (Demeter-certified since 2015), native fermentations, and minimal intervention winemaking that transparently expresses their extreme coastal terroir through site-specific bottlings like their flagship San Andreas Fault Pinot Noir.
Heritage & Leadership
Hirsch Vineyards was established in 1980 when David Hirsch purchased 1,100 acres of remote land on a ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean in what would later become the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA. David, originally from New York with no background in agriculture, began planting grapevines in 1980s, starting with just 2 acres of Pinot Noir. The initial plantings expanded gradually throughout the 1980s and 1990s. For many years, Hirsch operated solely as a grower, selling fruit to producers including Kistler, Williams Selyem, and Littorai.
In 2002, the Hirsch family began producing their own wines under the Hirsch Vineyards label, with their first commercial release. The winery is now led by David's daughter, Jasmine Hirsch, who joined the family business in 2008 and became general manager in 2015. Under Jasmine's leadership, Hirsch completed construction of an on-site winery in 2016, allowing for complete control of the winemaking process. In 2011, Hirsch hired Ross Cobb as winemaker, followed by Anthony Filiberti in subsequent years, with Jasmine herself taking over winemaking responsibilities more recently.
Vineyards & Wines
Hirsch Vineyards encompasses 72 acres of vines, divided into 60 distinct farming blocks, planted predominantly to Pinot Noir (68 acres) with a small portion dedicated to Chardonnay (4 acres). The vineyard sits at elevations ranging from 1,300 to 1,600 feet on the San Andreas Fault, approximately 2.5 miles from the Pacific Ocean in the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA.
The complex geology results from the collision of two tectonic plates, creating a diverse soil composition of weathered sandstone and shale with minimal clay content. This geological complexity contributes to the site's heterogeneity, with each block offering distinct growing conditions. The vineyard's marine-influenced climate features moderate temperatures, with cooling fog and ocean breezes tempering summer heat.
Hirsch produces several vineyard-designated Pinot Noirs, including their flagship "San Andreas Fault" blend, the "East Ridge" and "West Ridge" bottlings, "Reserve," and "Block 8." Their Chardonnay program, though smaller, has gained recognition for its precise expression of the site's maritime influence. Annual production averages 6,000-7,000 cases, with wines distributed primarily through direct sales and select restaurant placements.
Philosophy & Practice
Hirsch Vineyards' approach centers on expressing their unique maritime terroir through minimal intervention practices. The estate received Demeter Biodynamic certification in 2015 after transitioning their farming practices over several years. This certification formalized their long-standing commitment to sustainable viticulture and soil health.
The vineyard management philosophy acknowledges and works with the site's natural fragmentation, treating each small block according to its specific needs rather than applying uniform practices across the property. Cover crops, compost applications, and careful water management support biodiversity and vine health in the challenging coastal environment.
In the winery, fermentations rely on native yeasts, with minimal sulfur additions and no fining or filtration. Pinot Noir undergoes partial whole-cluster fermentation (varying by vintage and block from 15-50%), with aging in French oak barrels (typically 25-30% new) for 15-18 months. Chardonnay ferments and ages in French oak barrels (15-20% new) for approximately 12 months.
The Hirsch philosophy emphasizes transparency and site expression over winemaker intervention, with harvest timing decisions focused on achieving physiological ripeness while preserving natural acidity. This approach has established Hirsch as a definitive voice for the extreme Sonoma Coast, demonstrating the region's capacity for producing wines of precision and place-specific character.