Grape grower Hill to talk recent vineyard history

Veteran wine grower Steve Hill will discuss the “storied history” of Sonoma vineyards at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 12.

Hill, a key player in Sonoma’s vineyard development over the past 40 years, will talk about vineyard changes in recent years and the challenges facing today’s grape growers.

The Sonoma Home Winemakers will host Hill, who recently retired from being the original developer and general manager of Durell Vineyards, a property west of the City of Sonoma that provides grapes to winemakers such as DeLoach, Dunstan, Three Sticks and Ram’s Gate. The sprawling 610-acre parcel is located where the Carneros, Sonoma Coast and Sonoma Valley appellations meet and produces chardonnay and pinot noir grapes. Although he says he’s officially “retired” Hill continues to grow and sell his own Parmelee-Hill Wines.

“Steve will also be able to talk about the changes that have taken place in Sonoma Valley over the past 40 years from his perspective as past president of the Sonoma Valley and Sonoma County grape growers associations and his position on the Sonoma Country Grape Growers Commission,” said J.W. Nickel, president of Sonoma Home Winemakers.

The event is March 12 at 7 p.m. at the Vintage House senior center, 264 First St. E.