Joseph Swan Vineyards Winery

The winery was named by Joe Swan when he founded it thirty years ago. Joe came to winemaking from an unlikely background. In 1967 he purchased a small farm on Laguna Road near the town of Forestville in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. The property consisted of 13 acres of old Zinfandel vines, fruit trees and pasture along with several structures including an old barn and a nearly 100 year old house. In addition to the physical attributes, it included an interesting history. The house once housed the post office of the village of Trenton along with the general store and telephone exchange. The first few vintages were made in the cellar of the house and then later in the barn. In 1974, with the help of a few friends (including Joel Peterson who would make his first Ravenswood wines here in 1976), he erected what we jokingly refer to as the tin shed. Joe wasn't interested in fancy buildings, formal gardens, and other fancy trappingsÑhe only wanted a safe, secure place to make wine.

 



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