Clay Mauritson’s name didn’t fall far from his tall family tree. In fact, after a college sabbatical from grape growing, he returned to his roots in an amazing succession of vineyards and ranching history, tracing his Mauritson Sonoma County ancestors back to his great great great grandfather, S.P. Hallengren. Today, winemaking has become a new branch of the legacy.
A huge swath of the original Mauritson ranch is now literally underwater – covered in the 1960’s by what is now the Lake Sonoma reservoir, but in the mountains above in the Rockpile AVA, the Mauritsons today are farming some of the very best Zinfandel grapes in California that produce outstanding wines not only for Mauritson but also for a number of marquis wineries. The Mauritsons also grow grapes below Rockpile in Dry Creek Valley and in Alexander Valley. In 1998, Clay added small-lot, site-specific winemaking to the farming operations and released the first Mauritson Wines Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel.
In 2004 the new winery was opened at a scenic vineyards location on Dry Creek and Lytton Springs roads where Mauritson’s winemaker Emma Kudritzki Hall presides over the fermenters and barrels. Visitors can experience, by reservation, a seated tasting – including Rockpile designates – in either the tasting room or the winery cellar. A special tasting and vineyard tour of the spectacular Rockpile AVA is offered to the Mauritson wine club’s members.