The Mauritson Family

The Mauritson family has been growing grapes in Dry Creek Valley since 1868, beginning with S.P. Hallengren, who planted vines in 1884 and shipped wine back to Sweden. By the 1960s, the family’s Rockpile ranch had expanded to 4,000 acres, though much of it was submerged after the creation of Lake Sonoma. For 30 years the family farmed in Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley, providing top-quality fruit to regional winemakers. In the 1990s, sixth generation Mauritson, Clay, approached his father Tom about expanding the family’s operations into winemaking; Clay released the first Mauritson Zinfandel in 1998, and continues to oversee the winery. Soon after the winery launched, the family returned to the Rockpile region, planting 34 acres of vineyards in eight distinct blocks that soon attracted attention for their unique terroir. Today, fifth generation farmer Tom and his sons Bob, Blake, and Cameron continue to work the land, with the family’s vineyards now totaling 310 acres across the Dry Creek, Alexander Valley, and Rockpile appellations. With six generations of grape growing, the Mauritson family is known for exceptional wines and prized harvests.