Square Peg Winery
Updated: Jan 13
This is truly an “off the beaten path” winery in beautiful West Sonoma County.
One of those wineries that is still relatively undiscovered
The kind of winery making exceptional wine yet no-one seems to know about it.
The kind of winery you want to visit and then name drop because no doubt they will be big!
The Square Peg Estate Vineyard is just outside the quaint town of Occidental.
Tip:
Have lunch at Hazel Restaurant or Negris in downtown Occidental before you go wine tasting!
A family owned, boutique winery, Proprietors, Brad Alper and Alanna Roth.
The new tasting room with its vaulted ceiling has a bright, and modern ambiance.
Also a beautiful art gallery featuring Alanna Roth’s sculptures, glassware and mosaics.
Your seated tasting includes a view of the vineyard through the picture windows.
Pinot Noir is the flagship wine of this Russian River Valley winery.
Before tasting, enjoy a guided tour of the vineyard to learn about dry farming.
Estate Wine Tasting:
$25 pp, by appointment, fee waived with 2 bottle purchase, 5 wines.
Artist-in-Resident Tasting:
Seated tasting/tour of art studio, by appointment, flight of 5 wines.
Wines are allocated through a mailing list.
Wines:
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon
William Knuttel is the veteran winemaker who adheres to Burgundian style wine making.
He is making wine, farmed on premiere Russian River Valley property.
A grove of Redwood trees provides shade for picnicking on the property.
Alex, Brad and Alanna’s son, hosts the tastings.
In 2011, at 51, Brad Alper retired early from his career as an American Airline Pilot.
He made the leap and became 100% devoted to making wine.
Having lived in the Russian River Valley since 1987, and being inspired by his Italian neighbor….
He decided to plant Zin in 1994 on one acre.
In 1999 he purchased a 12 acre apple farm near his property and planted more Zin.
In 2010, it was Brad’s bold idea to dry farm Pinot Noir.
Zin is typically dry farmed but not Pinot!
Some in the wine industry questioned the idea of dry farming.
Today Brad is successfully dry farming Pinot Noir and this sets them apart.
Alanna wanted an easily remembered brand name and landed on Square Peg.
Square Peg is associated with those of us who struggle to conform.
We’re the square peg trying to fit in a round hole.
Brad’s square peg idea to dry farm is a perfect example. Kudos to Brad.
