When longtime friends Christopher Medlock James and Ames Morison decided to take on the challenge of growing and making wine, they searched for—and found—a very special 320 acres of land on Bell Mountain in Alexander Valley. The year was 1998, and today’s sustainable and organic farming movement was in its infancy. But Chris and Ames shared a conviction about the kind of wines they were going to produce and they founded Medlock Ames in Healdsburg, California upon some strong principles: practicing environmental sustainability and growing premier quality winegrapes.
Only 56 acres of the stunning land is planted to grapevines. The rest is untouched, or dedicated to grazing land for its sheep, vegetable gardens, solar-power arrays, and natural ponds. The vineyards are farmed organically with no insecticides, chemical fertilizers, or herbicides.
Although a visit to Bell Mountain can be exhilarating, in 2010, Chris and Ames opened a tasting room in Healdsburg, in the brilliantly restored 150-year-old building that used to house the Alexander Valley Bar and Store. Besides having the opportunity to sample Medlock Ames limited production wines, guests can enjoy fresh produce in season from the property’s organic gardens and olive orchard, or make an appointment for a wine and food pairing featuring seasonal produce harvested fresh from the gardens plus cheese and charcuterie from the finest local purveyors.
Nestled behind the tasting room sits the speakeasy-style Alexander Valley Bar. The “AVB” (as the locals call it) features a décor that is a cozy cross between turn-of-the-century saloon and modern cocktail den with a tin ceiling and warm shades of walnut, oak and redwood. It even has an old-fashioned photo booth. The bar menu highlights seasonal cocktails using ingredients from the adjoining gardens, local microbrews, artisan spirits and of course, wines from Medlock Ames and neighboring wineries.
Loved by locals, Medlock Ames’ rustic, refined space is an inspired destination where visitors are delighted to discover delicious, limited production, organically-farmed wines and a truly unique wine country experience.
WHAT TO BUY
’10 Chardonnay – $35
Green apple, lemon curd, balanced acidity
’08 RED – $32
Ripe red raspberry, cassis, leather
’08 Cabernet Sauvignon – $52
Blackberry, brambleberry, cocoa, cedar
CONTACT
707-431-8845
info@medlockames.com
medlockames.com
TASTING
Tasting Room Open Daily 10–5
3487 Alexander Valley Rd.
Healdsburg, CA 95448
SPECIAL NOTES
Organic farming practices, culinary events, scenic view, wine club events, snacks available.
Key Words: Medlock Ames, wines, sustainable, Alexander Valley, Healdsburg, California, sustainable, solar, organic, tasting room, Alexander Valley Bar, wine bar
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Steve Cooper is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Hitched. You can follow him on Twitter at @hitchedmedia.
