Our Vineyards

White Cat Vineyard

Cuda Ridge Wines sources Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon (Black Label, and Syrah from the White Cat Vineyard. White Cat Vineyard is located in the Crane Ridge area located in the Eastern side of Livermore off Greenville Road, across from the Poppy Hill Golf Course. Crane Ridge is in the foothills with rolling hills which are sunny from morning until dusk and have moderate winds in the afternoon. White Cat Vineyard only has two acres of Cabernet Franc which Cuda Ridge receives the full yield of approximately 4-5 tons/acre. This vineyard also had two acres of Malbec and Cuda Ridge received the full lot. One of the acres (old lot) was removed in 2018 due to the vines shutting down. There is also a small block (approximately one-third of an acre) of Syrah which Cuda Ridge began sourcing in 2015. And, Cuda Ridge sources 4-6 tons of Cabernet Sauvignon which goes into the New World Cabernet Sauvignon program. This vineyard produces a lighter style of Cabernet Franc, which winemaker Larry Dino prefers, with red fruit, lightly floral, and spice. The Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon fruit has bold, dark fruit, characteristics.

Galles Vineyard

Galles vineyard is just North/East of Greenville and the Tesla intersection. The Galles vineyard is meticulously managed by the Galles family and pruned to a target yield of no more than 3 tons per acre. The Galles vineyard is located on a rolling hill with various elevations, the fruit on the higher elevations ripen sooner than on the valley floor. The fruit is usually picked on 2 or 3 dates to get the best flavors and chemistry (ph, TA, and Brix). The location gets high winds in the afternoon thus having a significant cooling of the grapes in the late afternoon which help produce the complexity and finesse of this Bordeaux-style Cabernet.

Biczkow Vineyard

The Biczkow vineyard is a small family-owned vineyard on Buena Vista Road in the central part of the valley. This area is known for producing the highest quality Sangiovese in Livermore Valley. The Biczkow vineyard is a small, less than one-acre vineyard, that produces approximately 2 tons per year. The vineyard is meticulously managed, and the grape bunches are large, plump, and full!

Dino’s Home Vineyard

The Dino’s home vineyard is a very small vineyard of Merlot (50 vines) and Cabernet Sauvignon (75 vines) which is used for the single barrel lot of Bein-Amie’ each year. The vineyard is daily managed by the winemaker, Larry Dino, who does most of the viticulture maintenance of the vineyard. The vineyard was planted in 2003 by Larry, Margie, and the kids even gave a helping hand. The vineyard is located in the central part of Livermore Valley which is known for its very gravelly (rocky) soil. The soil is well draining and retains the heat, this is one of the earliest red varietal vineyards harvested in Livermore. Our beloved vineyard produces our beloved wine, Bien-Amie’.

Cuda Ridge Estate Vineyard

The Cuda Ridge estate vineyard is approximately a one-half-acre vineyard planted with Petit Verdot. The vineyard was planted in 2013 with the first harvest in 2015. The soil is red clay and retains water. The winemaker, Larry, with lots of help from the vineyard manager, Jose, oversees and meticulously maintains the vineyard. The early harvest of the fruit is producing a bold and earthy Petit Verdot.

Smith Ranch Vineyard

Cuda Ridge sources a large lot of Petit Verdot, and a smaller lot of Cabernet Sauvignon (which goes into the Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon), from the Smith Ranch Vineyard. Smith Ranch is located on the West Side of Livermore Valley (on Wetmore Road). The vineyard gets ample sun during the day and cooling at night. The vineyard blocks are large and Cuda Ridge has selected a premier set of rows that is hand-harvested each year at the precise chemistry desired by the winemaker.

Mel’s Ranch Vineyard

The Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are sourced from Mel’s Ranch Vineyard. Mel’s Ranch Vineyard is farmed and owned by Wente, which was originally the vineyard of Louie Mel who brought the grapes over from the famed Chateau d’Yquem in Bordeaux. Mel’s Ranch Vineyard is located in the center of Livermore Valley. The vineyard is located in the central part of Livermore Valley on Telsa Road. The soil is moderately rocky. The warm days, and cool nights, provide the perfect environment for these white varietals for sugar generation and retain acid balance.

One Oak Vineyard

Cuda Ridge sources the Merlot from the One Oak Vineyard. One Oak Vineyard is located in the Crane Ridge area located in the Eastern side of Livermore off Greenville Road across from the Poppy Hill Golf Course. Crane Ridge is in the foothills with rolling hills which are sunny from morning until dusk and have moderate winds in the afternoon. The Merlot thrives from the hot days, cooling evenings, and significantly cooler nights. The trellis is Scott Henry which provides ample shading of the grapes.