Eric Flanagan traveled extensively and was fascinated by how grape varieties expressed so differently around the world. In 1999 Eric purchased 40 acres on the side of Bennett Mountain and planted the vines in 2001 with his oldest daughter Riley who was 2 years old at that time. Riley is graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in June of 2021 with a Chemistry degree (and a Minor in Physics) and is coming to work full time with Eric in their family wine business. Flanagan produces great wines from the top vineyards in Sonoma County. Those sites include:
- Platt Vineyard is perched 2.5 miles from the Pacific Ocean and is one of the most famous (and extreme) sites in the Sonoma Coast. The 300 acre property is covered with groves of Redwood and Douglass Fir and the 38 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines cascade down a south facing ridge line. The climate, the Goldridge Fine Sandy Loam Soils, and an impeccably developed vineyard make this one of the greatest sites in the New World for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Eric purchased the Platt Vineyard in 2015 with his Russian River Partners investment group.
- Bacigalupi Vineyard is a few miles south of the Flanagan winery on West Dry Creek Road. The Bacigalupi family owns approximately 120 acres of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir here. Flanagan sources fruit for their Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay here from one of their top blocks.
- Ritchie Vineyard was planted in the early 70s with a Wente clone of Chardonnay on AXR-1 rootstock. Owner Kent Ritchie was told he would have to replant the vineyard because AXR-1 was not phylloxera resistant but some forty years later the Ritchie Vineyard is still producing world class fruit. Only the “old vine” Ritchie fruit goes into the vineyard designated wine.
- Gap’s View Vineyard is a top source for Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. This site sits just south and east of Petaluma and has 41 acres of Pinot Noir. Flanagan has made a vineyard designated wine from Gap’s View since Eric’s Vineyard Investment Group Russian River Partners purchased it in 2015. The cool climate, maritime influence, and consistent winds make this a great place to grow Pinot Noir.
- Flanagan Vineyard at their Dry Creek winery in Healdsburg. This 7.5 acre hillside site is east facing with perfect drainage and great airflow. Planted all to Cabernet this excellent Cabernet site comes into production in 2021.
Flanagan sources their Syrah from their original vineyard in Bennet Valley, which is a small AVA in Sonoma County. The site sits at 1200 feet on the south and southwest slopes of Bennett Mountain at the confluence of San Pablo Bay and Petaluma Gap. The vines were planted in 2001 and 2002 with 6 x 4 spacing on rocky, volcanic cobbles with superb drainage. The maritime influence and warm micro climate in a cool region gives early bud break and late harvesting.
Flanagan has an annual production of about 3500 cases, all produced sustainably. Their vineyards are certified sustainable by CSWA (California Sustainable Winegrowers Alliance). Winemaker Cabell Coursey joined Flanagan vineyards in 2014 and now consults alongside Estate Wine Director Isabelle Mort.
