Backgrounder

Coordinates

Winery and Tasting Room: 13048 Hwy. 29 Lower Lake, California 95457

Mailing Address: PO Box 324, Calistoga, California 94515

Phone

Winery and Vineyard: 707/696-4838

Email

E‐mail: Mitch@HawkandHorseVineyards.com
Sales: Jerry@HawkandHorseVineyards.com

Founded

In 1999 by the Boies and Hawkins families; first release was 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Appellation

Red Hills, in Lake County, California

We Are

Family‐owned and operated vineyard and ranch practicing biodynamic viticulture on a historic property in the Red Hills AVA of Lake County, specializing in estate‐grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Latigo (port).

Proprietors

The Boies and Hawkins families.

Management

David Boies, Christopher Boies, Mitch Hawkins, Tracey Hawkins

Vineyard Management

Mitch Hawkins

Sales

Jerry Baker

Winemaking

Mitch Hawkins, Dr. Richard Peterson

Ranch

1,340 acres, straddling elevations from 1,800 to 2,200 feet and slopes of 15% to 85%; property includes the location of El Roble Grande, largest oak recorded in California; ranch is also home to a small herd of Scottish Highland cattle, three American Saddlebred horses, five American Quarter Horses and wildlife including bees, hawks, owls, bear, wild boar, bobcats, mountain lions and squirrels; guest house is a three-story, hand-built traditional log home.

Vineyards

18 acres currently planted. Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 acres planted in 2001. Petite Sirah, 1 acre planted in 2007. Cabernet Franc, 1 acre planted in 2007. Petit Verdot, 1 acre planted in 2007.

Soil: rocky, red volcanic soils consisting of Aiken, Collayomi, and Whispering loam. Lake County Diamonds, a soft form of diamond used in industry and to make Biodynamic preparations, are abundant. They are a natural product from volcanic activity of nearby Mt. Konocti, a now dormant volcano.

Farming

Biodynamic: Demeter-certified since 2008
Organic: California Certified Organic (CCOF) since 2004
Head-trained, cane pruned
Trellis: VSP (Vertical Shoot Position)
Clones: Entav 191, Entav 337, 15, 337
Rootstock: 101‐14
Spacing: 5×8 (1,089 vines/acre)

Name

The winery takes its name from the plentiful Red-Tail Hawks on the property as well as the ranch’s history as an equestrian facility. Known as El Roble Grande in the 1960s and 1970s, the ranch was formerly an Arabian breeding estate. The Boies and Hawkins families maintain the original rustic elegance of the ranch and welcome visitors for tours and tastings. The equestrian elements of the ranch are now for private use only. The primary focus of the ranch is viticulture.

Tasting Room

Includes antique Victorian bar, Western and local memorabilia, historic photos, picnic area with horses grazing nearby, ready to meet visitors.

Hospitality

Open for tours and tastings by appointment only
For appointment call Mitch at 707/696-4838 or email Mitch@HawkandHorseVineyards.com

Wine Society

You may learn more about how to join the Hawk and Horse Vineyards Wine Society here