Without a doubt, David Stare is a pioneer. Heading west in the late 1960s, Dave personified the character and work ethic of early Gold Rush pioneers. Educated at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Dave worked for the B&O Railroad for several years but quickly realized that his true calling was in the wine industry. Inspired by his trips to the Loire Valley, Dave headed west to California to start his own family winery. 

Upon his arrival, Dave began taking winemaking classes at UC Davis as a graduate student. On the weekends, he spent time looking at vineyard land from Monterey to Mendocino. It was during one of those weekend trips that fate drew Dave to the Dry Creek Valley. When he saw an old prune orchard across the  street  from the  Dry Creek General Store,  Dave  realized  that  he

had found his dream location. He purchased the orchard and began planting vines. Captivated by his memories of  Loire-style wines, Sauvignon Blanc seemed destined to figure prominently in the Dry Creek Vineyard portfolio. However, several famed vineyard specialists advised him against planting Sauvignon Blanc.  Always defiant, Dave planted the varietal anyway and the rest, as they say, is history.

Today, our second-generation family owned winery continues to evolve and grow to meet the demands of a global wine marketplace.  The primary mission of our winery is to produce distinctive wines that over deliver on quality.  For more than 30 years, this pursuit of winemaking excellence has lead to many international awards and accolades. With a loyal following of wine club members and customers, the future of Dry Creek Vineyard has never been brighter. 

Groundbreaking in 1972
Dave Stare and daughter, Kim

Early years, Dave Stare
performing Sugar Test

1972 Sonoma County
Fumé Blanc

1977 Chenin Blanc
Sonoma County

Early label with the
new sailboat design

Map of
Dry Creek Valley appellation

1983 Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley

1985 Dry Creek Valley
"Old Vines Zinfandel"

1982 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma County

1985 Meritage
released in 1987

Spring 1987 Announcement
for Vintner's Select Club

Don and Kim Wallace
Sailing on San Francisco Bay

Heritage Zinfandel
vineyard DCV7

Grand Prix d'Honneur
1991 Reserve Merlot

Premier Vintage
1997 Heritage Clone Zinfandel

Brad Van Liew & Don Wallace launch
the America's Cup Reserve Wines

Coveted Emmy Awards® Gift Basket
featuring 1997 Reserve Cabernet

Charlize Theron with Kim Wallace
at the SAG Awards®

Sailor Brad Van Liew against
Dry Creek Vineyard Spinnaker

Robert Parker Review
of 1999 Heritage Clone Zinfandel

Dry Creek Vineyard launches
Regatta Wines

Grandes Expressions de Chenin
Award 2003 Dry Chenin Blanc

Vineyard development for Dry Creek Valley Cabernet program.

Dry Creek Vineyard
35th Anniversary Logo