Established in 1985, Decoy is recognized for producing attractively priced wines from exceptional vineyard sources, including Decoy’s own Ridgeline and Brownell estate vineyards in the Alexander Valley of Sonoma County. Ridgeline is a steep mountainside vineyard consisting of 44 unique hillside vineyard blocks with elevations ranging from 100 to nearly 2,000 feet. Steep slopes contribute to drainage, resulting in lower yields and concentrated flavors. These factors, and the site’s loamy soil, threaded with interlacing natural mineral springs, provide remarkable conditions for cultivating red grapes with phenomenal concentration, color and structure.

Additionally, while summer daytime temperatures are hot enough to suit heat-loving red grapes, the rapid cooling effect of evening fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean preserves the fresh, enlivening acidity of the fruit as it ripens. Ridgeline features 89 planted acres of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon and the other Bordeaux red grapes with most of the plantings dating back to 1999. This coveted fruit is used for their Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon, Decoy Merlot and flagship Decoy Red Wine.

In 2013, Decoy acquired another Alexander Valley Estate property, the Brownell Vineyard. Offering an ideal counterpoint to the mountain fruit of Ridgeline, Brownell is a beautiful valley-floor vineyard with ancient gravel and sand alluvial soils. Located in the heart of the valley, Brownell was planted in the early 2000s and features 10 acres of exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. In this warm mid-valley location, the fruit gets beautifully ripe, adding richness and depth to their Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon.