Hilltop rebirth at Viansa Sonoma

Occupying a prime spot on Arnold Drive atop the first summit in Sonoma Valley, Viansa Winery and Marketplace has undergone dramatic changes since its acquisition by Vintage Wine Estates in 2013. Gone is the subtle and not-so-subtle Italian focus at the newly rebranded Viansa Sonoma.

Vintage spokesperson Stephanie Peachey oversees the brand and the property. “We're keeping the friends and family focus of Viansa's heritage but changing our focus from Italian varietals to showcase the best of Sonoma and Carneros,” she said.

Vintage planted 25 acres of pinot noir and chardonnay in 2015 for a first vintage in 2017. The Sonoma-focused wine portfolio is overseen by winemaker Amy Ludovissy. The wines, which also sport new labeling, continue to be 100 percent direct to consumer, available only at the property, online or through the wine club.

The company has spent upward of $6 million updating every corner of the large property, including new signage and a new entrance through the vineyards, an updated tasting room and the construction of new Wine Education Center that doubles as an event space for up to 200 guests.

Perched on top of a hill, the views across the 167 acre property include 97 acres of natural wetlands, which serve as home to variety of indigenous water fowl. “We really wanted to reposition our property to take advantage of the gorgeous wetlands view,” said Peachey. Three new outlooks are nestled into the vineyard hill that can be used for private tastings or bird watching. The individual open-air “cabins” jut out over the estate vineyards just above the wetlands.

Vintage invested considerable resources in cleaning up the wetlands, reestablishing the levees and creating islands for animals to nest. “The creatures and bird life that found the property less hospitable in the past have returned in force,” said Peachy. Viansa partnered with Dirt Farmer to execute the restoration work and vineyard updates; with Ducks Unlimited on the wetlands ecosystem work; and Shopworks helped with the environmental design for the new outlooks and paths.

The winery plans on a busy summer with the addition of two new events. “Pizza, pours and smores” will run every Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. in the summer and Viansa will offers music on the lawn on Saturday afternoons from noon to 3 p.m. starting Memorial Day weekend. Also on the books are dozens of corporate events and weddings. The winery's expansive use permit allows it to stage 180 events a year, more than almost any other Northern California winery. Catering is now provided through an exclusive partnership with San Francisco's Paula LeDuc for events, and with Crisp Bake Shop for picnic foods and wood fired pizzas on the weekends.

“Viansa may have been a diamond-in-the-rough when we acquired the property two years ago, but now it is one of the must-see wineries in the entire Sonoma Valley,” said Pat Roney, CEO of Vintage Wine Estates.

Check out the view from the “bird's nest” in this video below.

Contact Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.