Who We Are. What It’s All About.
Welcome to Nicholson Vineyards. While we are known for our estate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, we also produce specialty wines from Santa Cruz county, Sierra Foothills, Amador, and Central Coast regions. We offer a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy our hand crafted wines in a perfect California landscape.
The Nicholsons
Come to Nicholson Vineyards, meet our family, and you'll quickly see that this endeavor is a love celebrating a rich family tradition. As 11th generation Californians, with Spanish and Italian ancestry, working the soil is an inherent part of who we are. The estate vineyards were first planted in 1995, allowing us the opportunity to raise our family in a farming environment, part of a community that is both long standing and continually evolving.
THE FEATHER
Years ago, as we were making the Estate our home, we were delighted to discover wild peacocks roaming the property. The beauty and grace of these magnificent birds immediately inspired us. Three years later, as we were planting the first of our vineyard blocks, we stumbled across a collection of feathers. We decided that the stunning tail feather of the peacock would represent Nicholson Vineyards Winery. While the symbolism associated with a peacock and it's feathers is interpreted differently by every culture, our appreciation is twofold. The feather mimics nature's profound beauty and complexity; while it's eye, deep with awareness and knowledge, sees all and serves as a guardian of the land.
OUR STAFF
Wine cellar operations are led by John Ritchey (of Bottle Jack Wines), who brings a traditional approach to wine making at Nicholson Vineyards. Educated at California State University Fresno, John shares our passion and creates classic wines that represent the uniqueness of our terrior. Like John, our family and tasting room staff are welcoming and helpful, always excited to share our story, while treating guests to a wonderful tasting experience.
THE WINERY
Established in 2004, Nicholson Vineyards produces 1,500 to 2,000 cases annually. We concentrate our small lot production on the use of fruit from our estate and other special vineyards primarily in the Central Coast Region. Each vintage demonstrates its own uniqueness and complexity, while our classic style remains the same.
