Vaughn Duffy Wines

Vaughn Duffy

Matt Duffy and Sara Vaughn met while Sara was in grad school and Matt was working at a wine shop in Sausalito. Soon afterward in 2007, the newly-engaged couple moved to Sonoma so Matt could learn all he could about winemaking, and after stints with a variety of Sonoma winemakers and a stint running a tasting room out in the Sierra Foothills AVA, Matt and Sara made their first two barrels of wine in 2009. Quickly gaining critical acclaim, they’ve quickly become a favorite of the somm/collector class in the Bay area. With total production now in the 2,000 case range, Vaughn Duffy is part of the new era of first-generation winemaking families in California. Sourcing grapes from farmers across the finest North Coast appellations, Vaughn Duffy crafts small lots of primarily vineyard-designate wines. The wines are compelling with brilliant, succulent fruit and long, savory finishes.

the wines

Sauvignon Blanc “Hopkins Ranch” 22- Hopkins River Ranch is located in the heart of the Russian River Valley. Harvested before early September’s brutal heat wave, the fruit is optimally ripe and fresh with good acidity. The finished wine expresses tropical fruit flavors, noted citrus and subtle grassy notes typical of the variety. Fermented and aged in a combination of older oak barrels (60%) and stainless steel (40%). On the palate, the wine enters with bright, juicy acidity and follows with a broad mouthfeel and subtle creaminess. The flavors of pink grapefruit, lemon sherbet and honeydew compliment this refreshing, balanced wine. 370 cases produced.

Chardonnay “Petaluma Gap” 22 - The 2022 Chardonnay was made from grapes from Pepperwood Vineyard in the Petaluma Gap AVA. The Petaluma Gap AVA was established in 2018 and its defining feature is the wind gap that runs from Bodega Bay thru the Petaluma valley and out to San Pablo Bay. This wind moderates daytime temperatures, promotes lower yields and allows for longer hang time. Pepperwood is a relatively new vineyard planted with Montrachet clone Chardonnay. barrel fermented the wine on the lees for 10 months. The wine went partially through malolactic fermentation. We utilized 40% new oak in the fermentation and aging of the wine. vibrant aromas of orange blossom, green caramel apple, vanilla and floral notes. On the palate the wine enters with juicy acidity and follows with a broad mouthfeel and smooth finish. The flavors of pear, toasted almond and lemon custard compliment this refreshing, balanced wine. This is a joy to drink young. 117 cases produced.

The philosophy

Vaughn Duffy source their fruit from a selection of vineyards throughout the North Coast region, but primarily in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley. Each vineyard site is selected for fidelity to terroir and quality of fruit. Each wine is handcrafted in small batches, working at the noted custom crush facility Vinify Wine Services in Santa Rosa, where Matt also serves as Production Manager.

A classic garagiste winemaker, Vaughn-Duffy’s total production has grown to about 2,000 cases annually, and they’re capping it there to retain their laser-like focus on quality.

From the start, their wines have received critical acclaim, with kudos from the San Francisco Chronicle, the Wine Enthusiast, the Spectator, Wine & Spirits, James Suckling and others. They’ve also been featured as a selected winery for the Garagiste Wine Club. About half of their production is sold through their Sonoma tasting room, and the bulk of the remainder through boutique retailers in California. Massachusetts is now only the second state outside California where Vaughn Duffy wines are available to the retail and restaurant trade.

Read an interview with Matt Duffy here.

Grenache “Dry Stack” 21 - Matt and Sara have always wanted to try their hand at a Grenache. The opportunity came about at the end of the 2021 vintage when they were able to source a little bit of Grenache from the famed Dry Stack Vineyard in Bennett Valley. The 2021 vintage was a nearly perfect growing season. This was especially important for a late- ripening grape like Grenache. They were able to leave the fruit to hang until picking on October 19, and picked a little under a ton of this Grenache at ideal ripeness and acidity. The wine aged in a once-used French oak puncheon for 16 months, then bottled unfined and unfiltered. The finished wine is a full-bodied knockout brimming with red fruits and spiciness. The aromatics show subtle fresh herbs, cherry and kirsch. Raspberry ganache and licorice flavors lead to a lush finish that lingers on. 55 cases produced.

Pinot Noir “Sonoma County” 22 - Matt feels that this wine does a great job of showcasing the diversity of the different AVA’s within Sonoma County when they come together to make a single wine. The wine is a blend of fruit sourced on Sonoma Montain, on the Sonoma Coast and in the Russian River Valley. Mostly destemmed before fermentation, the wine aged in French oak barrels (25% new) for 10 months , bottled unfined and unfiltered. Their 2022 version of this wine highlights the fruit intensity found of the vintage. The black cherry, red plum and baking spice aromatics hint at the fruit and spice interplay that dances on the palate. The layered textures opens up to flavors of strawberry preserves, cranberry and notes of savory fresh herbs. 188 cases produced.

Pinot Noir “Sonoma Coast” 21 - This is their first Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, and is a blend of three vineyards that span this world-renowned Pinot Noir appellation. The vineyards are: Marshall Ranch (40%), Hopkins Ranch (20%), Bacigalupi (20%) and Pepperwood (20%). The sites represent the different microclimates of the AVA and showcase the diversity of this unique growing region. The clonal makeup of the final blend includes 23, 115, 828, Wente and Pommard. The 2021 vintage will be remembered for ideal growing conditions through summer and into harvest and a slightly smaller than average crop size. The ideal weather at harvest allowing picking at optimal ripeness and without incident. The wine aged in French oak barrels (15% new) for 15 months, then bottled unfined and unfiltered. This wine highlights the fruit and spice combination found in Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. Hints of fresh-picked blackberries dance with rose petals and Asian spices. On the palate the flavors follow with black cherry, tea and cracked peppercorn. The juicy core of acidity leads to a long smooth finish. 117 cases produced.

Pinot Noir “Russian River Valley” 21 - Theirr 11th vintage of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, the 2021 version is a blend of three vineyards that span this world-renowned Pinot Noir appellation: Hopkins Ranch (42%), Bacigalupi (29%) and Earl Stephens (29%). The sites represent the different microclimates of the AVA and showcase the diversity of this unique growing region. The clonal makeup of the final blend includes Dijon clone 115, Wente selection and Pommard. The 2021 vintage will be remembered for ideal growing conditions through summer and into harvest and a slightly smaller than average crop size. We had ideal weather at harvest allowing us to pick vineyards at optimal ripeness and without incident. The wine aged in French oak barrels (21% new) for 15 months and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. The 2021 highlights the fruit intensity found in Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. The black cherry, red plum and baking spice aromatics hint at the fruit and spice interplay that dances on the palate. The silky texture opens up to flavors of strawberry preserves, cranberry and notes of savory fresh herbs. 175 cases produced.

Pinot Noir “Fay’s Reserve” 21 - This wine in honor of Matt & Sara’s daughter Fay. The first vintage was Fay’s birth year of 2017 and going forward we make this special blend only in exceptional years. The 2021 is only the second Fay’s Reserve that they have produced. The blend is a barrel selection of our best four barrels from the vintage regardless of vineyard or AVA. Fay’s Reserve is a quest to make the perfect Pinot Noir. Tjhe 2021 is a blend of three barrels from Suacci Vineyard from the Sonoma Coast and one barrel from Earl Stephens Vineyard in Green Valley of Russian River Valley. The wine was aged in French Oak for 16 months before being bottled unfiltered. The final blend is 37% new oak, bottled unfined and unfiltered. On the palate, the wine is pure and fruity with ripe dark cherry, blackberry and plum flavors. The wine's rich core of fruit is complemented by notes of clove and baking spices and the wine works its way across the palate. 100 cases produced.

“We continue to try and make the best possible wines we can. We buy some extraordinary fruit that has served us nicely in the past and should be great in the future”

— Matt Duffy