Robert Stemmler wines are made exclusively with estate-grown grapes from The Donum Estate and Ferguson Block in Carneros and the Nugent Vineyard in the Russian River Valley of California's famed Sonoma County.

We believe sustainable winegrowing goes above and beyond the methods of organic farming and focuses on sustainability as a long-term goal. Sustainability by definition is much more encompassing and far reaching than organic farming which means no use of synthetic chemicals, focusing on the entire environment, watersheds, habitats, and ecosystems within the entire operation. This deep, personal commitment plays a vital role in the integrity and quality of every bottle of our estate grown wines and the community in which we all live.

Robert Stemmler wines are made exclusively with estate-grown grapes from The Donum Estate and Ferguson Block in Carneros and the Nugent Vineyard in the Russian River Valley of California’s famed Sonoma County.

Planted in 1989, The Donum Estate comprises 70 acres of vines divided into 15 blocks and additional sub-blocks on which grow a variety of Pinot Noir clones and selections, including "heirlooms" like Calera, Chalone, Hanzell, Martini, Roederer and Swan and Dijon clones such as 115, 667 and 777.

Ferguson Block is a venerable 20-acre parcel of vineyard consisting primarily of an old Martini selection planted in 1974 on St. George rootstock. We farm three sub-blocks, one of which consistently provides fruit for the small amount of vineyard-designated Pinot Noir produced each year. Donum and Ferguson Block lie half a mile apart on the first gently rolling hills that rise up from San Pablo Bay on the Sonoma side of Carneros.

Nugent Vineyards rests on relatively level ground in the heart of the Russian River Valley.  Planted in 1997, the 11-acre vineyard consists of 11 blocks planted to equal amounts of Dijon clones 115 and 667.

Our Natural Winegrowing Techniques

We encourage cover crops and add organic matter to naturally replenish the soil with nitrogen and increase diversity of flora and fauna while preventing erosion. These cover crops also reduce need for fumigation and support beneficial insects for pest management; they help conserve water and soil, creating the basis for sustained production and fine quality wines.

We encourage the proliferation of natural predators to control vine pests and rodents.

We use recycled water for irrigation.

We reduce insect pests, powdery mildew and bunch rot through leaf removal and canopy management. Character and balance in the grapes are enhanced by improved sunlight and air penetration.

We crop thin and remove shoots to naturally control vigor and limit yield per vine, increasing flavors and aromas.

Our ecosystems and sustainable winegrowing programs work in harmony, with each element playing an important role in the integrity and quality of our estate grown wines. As part of our commitment, every person, from vineyard management to production to administration, is responsible for maintaining and introducing conservation and sustainable programs. Erosion control, cover crops, energy and water conservation and waste reduction measures are just some of the practices integrated into our daily routine. Such practices require a high degree of management of biological resources, and a firm commitment to long-term sustainable growth.