Dutton-Goldfield is a partnership between two families. After working closely together as grape grower and winemaker for the last 10 years, Steve Dutton and Dan Goldfield decided to merge their talents in this venture to produce a new label of fine wines from the Russian River Valley.
Dutton farms the highly regarded Dutton Ranch. Goldfield is renowned for the wines he made as the winemaker for La Crema and Hartford Court Wineries.
The duo already has an award-winning track record. At the 1999 Sonoma County Harvest Festival, Steve Dutton was awarded the Young Farmer of the Year, and wines made by Goldfield were awarded 5 gold medals, 3 silver medals and 2 bronze medals. Throughout the past decade, Hartford Court and La Crema wines made by Goldfield from grapes grown by Dutton have garnered broad acclaim and won trophy awards at competitions throughout the country.
Industry colleagues predict success for the new brand. "With the combination of outstanding Sonoma Coast fruit grown by Steve and the artisan winemaking of Dan, look for spectacular things in your glass," says Bob Cabral, winemaker of Williams & Selyem Winery. "Everything Dan does is full throttle," says Rick Tigner, senior vice president of Kendall-Jackson Winery. "He has passion and talent and makes great wine." Winemaker
Tom Milligan of Field Stone Winery states: "The Duttons are the premier West County grape growers. They have established an enviable reputation for their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay." Milligan adds, "Dan Goldfield, as with all good Pinot Noir producers, is a meticulous winemaker and pays a lot of attention to the structure and the details of the wine."
Steve Dutton's father Warren Dutton first planted grapes in 1964 and Steve now manages many of the finest vineyards in the Russian River Valley. Comprising over 40 small, unique vineyard sites, the Dutton Ranch reputation is already appreciated by those who know fine wine. The Duttons were pioneers in planting Pinot Noir in the cold Green Valley subappellation where, less than a decade ago, most of the fruit went exclusively for sparkling wine. More recently, Dutton plantings near the town of Freestone created a veritable land rush in that area.
Dan Goldfield, known professionally for his passion for wine, grew up in Philadelphia, studied chemistry at Brandeis University and started a career in research chemistry. Great bottles of Burgundy provided by his older brother kindled his interest in wine and, and after various meanderings, he returned to school to receive his Master's degree in Enology from the University of California, Davis. After working at Robert Mondavi Winery and Schramsberg Vineyards, he joined La Crema Winery as winemaker in 1990. Goldfield anchored La Crema through its purchase in 1993 by Jess Jackson. In 1994, Hartford Court winery was founded under Dan's direction.
Dutton and Goldfield have worked together to scout and develop some of the most desirable vineyard land in the Russian River area. "Steve continues Dutton Ranch's forward thinking with spectacular new vineyards in the coldest part of the county, near Occidental, Freestone and Cazadero."
Russian River Valley
Winemaking
Wines
The Partnership
