Who

Sierra Starr Vineyard and Winery is a small family run operation.   Phil is the head honcho around here as he does just about everything.  Everything includes growing the grapes as well as making the wine and all things associated with these endeavors.   Anne operates the tasting room in downtown Grass Valley and runs the Sirius Sipper Wine Club.  Jack, joining the family business in December of 2005 fills in where he is needed assisting both his mother and father day to day operations.   

Where

Sierra Starr Vineyard & Winery has a tasting room located at 209 West Main Street in the little metropolis of Grass Valley, CA. We are open from noon to five, sometimes later, everyday except Tuesday.

In the year since Sierra Starr pioneered the way with the first tasting room in Grass Valley, three more wineries have opened tasting locations in town, making Grass Valley a great wine tasting destination. Located in the Sierra Nevada Foothills between Sacramento and Reno, Grass Valley and neighboring Nevada City began during the gold rush era and still maintains much of the historic charm from that time.  Both cities have historic downtown areas which showcase beautiful Victorian architecture and are quite hospitable to both the locals and tourists.  Shopping and dining are a treat here.  The small town atmosphere lends itself to enjoyable days spent in the foothills.

Why

Why would anyone take on such a venture?  The answer usually goes back to just pure love of the whole thing.  The Starrs bought an existing vineyard in 1995 with the intent of moving their flower growing nursery from the Monterey Bay area onto the vacant land on the parcel.  The nursery, didn't move but Phil felt the challenge of grape growing and making fine wine was one that he couldn't pass up.  To say the least, it has consumed him.   We have bottled some nice wines from our first vintage that we are proud of.   The years to come hold the challenges of learning even more about this art as we expand our operation.

What

Planted in 1979 and 1980, the original vineyard consists of 5 acres of   Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel.  An additional acre of Cab Franc was planted in the summer of 1998.  We lease another 5 acre vineyard which has Cabernet Sauvignon as well as Chardonnay.  In the summer of 2000, a  Zinfandel vineyard was planted using scion (fruiting) wood from the Ciapusci Vineyard, a 100 year old vineyard in Mendocino county.  In 2006 and 2007  an additional planting of Cabernet Franc and new plantings of Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouchete were added to the home ranch. In total the Starr family farms 14 acres of fruit.  Most of our wines are produced from estate grown grapes.  Being small allows us to pay special attention to the entire process from start to finish.

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