Our History

From its founding in 2003, Leonhardt Vineyards has recognized Dry Creek Valley’s potential and sought to highlight it’s diversity. Today our vineyards fulfill the promise foretold by the land decades ago. Located off Dry Creek Road and near the historic site of Dry Creek Valley’s first winery established in the late 1800’s. This gravely hillside is ideal for producing Zinfandels. The view from this land is breathtaking. The vineyards are managed by Ulises Valdez.

Our Philosophy

Great grapes make great wine. There simply is no greater truism in the field of winemaking. The unique environment that contributes to the richness of the land directly impacts the quality of our grapes which go into every bottle we produce. To that end, we spend a tremendous amount of time with our wine grower. This relationship ensures that the fruit arriving at the winery has met every opportunity to excel. Continuous dialogue between the wine grower/winemaker makes certain our product always meets the highest standards.

At Leonhardt Vineyards, we enhance the natural characteristics of the wine through gentle handling of the fruit, careful fermentation, and unique aging processes. We grow our grapes on the best vineyard lands Dry Creek Valley has to offer.

Our Winemaker ~ Michael Dashe

In 1996, the husband and wife winemaking team of Michael and Anne Dashe founded Dashe Cellars. Focused on crafting exceptional single vineyard wines, Dashe Cellars blends Anne's classic French winemaking training with the experience Michael has gained at such noted American wineries as Ridge Vineyards, Far Niente and Schramsberg Wine Cellars. Together, the Dashe's strive to create authentic, vineyard-focused wines that capture the charm and personality of top, independent vineyards throughout Sonoma County and beyond.

Our Vineyard Manager ~ Ulises Valdez

From a remote village in Michoacan, Mexico, to the vineyards of Sonoma County,
this is the story of Ulises Valdez' pursuit of the American Dream, culminating in the
first releases of Valdez Family Winery, on July 8, 2006. This year marks twenty years
in the vineyard business for Ulises, first as field worker, then as a partner in the vineyard
management business, and now owner of Valdez and Sons Vineyard Management.
Working on several hundred acres of vineyards has enabled Ulises to select some
of his favorite blocks for his first wines. Collaborators include such acclaimed winemakers
as Mark Aubert, Jeff Cohn, Paul Hobbs, Kent Rosenblum and Rolando Herrera.