From the very start Eaglepoint Ranch was not like other vineyards. Theplan, devised by visionary horticulturist John Scharffenberger in themid 70s, was hatched well before the term biodiversity was in voguewith grape growers. The vineyards of Eaglepoint Ranch are split into 29small blocks totaling only 85 acres of vines on a ranch that is spreadover 1,200 acres of rugged mountainous terrain in Mendocino County.Positioning the small vineyard blocks in only the most advantageouslocations while preserving the forest, streams, and natural wildlifehabitat makes Eaglepoint Ranch stand out from most vineyards planted atthe time where land was cleared and vines planted fencepost tofencepost. It might cost more to farm these small mountaintop blocks ofvines but the payoff is evident in the bottle.
