Stories abound about people who leave the corporate world to pursue life among the vines. The tale of Dutcher Crossing began that way until a wine-loving teacher convinced the original owners to help her realize a dream.
The story
Before launching Dutcher Crossing Winery in 2005, Bruce Nevins and Jim Stevens had already made their mark in the beverage world as the co-founders of Perrier North America. Turning their attention to wine, the partners purchased land in Dry Creek Valley and opened Dutcher Crossing Winery — named for a spot on the estate where Dutcher Creek and Dry Creek meet — with Kerry Damskey as founding winemaker.
Nevins and Stevens planned to run Dutcher Crossing for a decade before selling, but Debra Mathy had other ideas. Two years after the winery opened, she approached the partners at an industry event and made an offer. Her enthusiasm for the property and wines convinced them to sell early.
A Wisconsin native, Mathy fell in love with wine during a high school class trip to France. When she returned home, she told her father she wanted to own a winery someday. Mathy became a teacher but never forgot her high school dream.
Years later, when her dad was diagnosed with late-stage cancer, he encouraged her to follow her passion and offered help. Mathy’s father died a few months before the Dutcher Crossing sale was finalized.
Mathy has since expanded the winery’s estate vineyards from 35 to 75 acres and grown its portfolio from five wines to more than 30. Bordeaux and Rhone varieties are the focus of the winery’s 10,000-case annual production. Each year, Dutcher Crossing releases a wine called CFM Tribute in honor of Mathy’s father, with all proceeds supporting melanoma research.
The vibe
The drive to Dutcher Crossing is especially beautiful in late winter, when bright yellow mustard flowers bloom amid gnarled old vines that speak of Dry Creek Valley’s long and storied history.
The farmhouse-style tasting room features vaulted ceilings and leather wingback chairs arranged by a crackling fireplace. Large windows frame views of the estate vineyards carpeting the hillsides. Because Mathy is an avid cyclist, bicycles feature prominently in the artwork. A replica of the penny-farthing bicycle her father gave her — also pictured on Dutcher Crossing’s labels — sits alongside the tasting bar.
Outside, vineyard-facing tables sit in a covered breezeway, beneath a pergola, on a paved patio and alongside a pétanque court. Wine Country doesn’t get much prettier than this.
On the palate
Winemaker Nick Briggs, who took over from Damskey as head winemaker in 2017, has an affinity for small-lot wines and single-vineyard bottlings. He uses vessels ranging from concrete tanks to large wooden vats to make more than two dozen wines.
The 2023 Kupferschmid White ($46) from Dry Creek Valley, an unconventional blend of Chardonnay, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, is an aromatic pleaser with notes of peaches and apples. The 2019 Pritchett Peaks Vineyard Rockpile Zinfandel ($53) has a mouthwatering aroma of black cherries with a touch of oak, along with red-fruit flavors. The 2021 Cut Root Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($61) is a medium-bodied wine with a silky texture and bright, red-berry flavor.
Experiences include bar tastings at $20 per person and outdoor seated tastings with an optional charcuterie board ($40-$65). Picknickers can reserve a spot under the pergola ($50 per table), and pétanque players command the court for $90 per group, including bottle service.
Beyond the bottle
Lots of wineries these days are working to cultivate a community-friendly vibe. Dutcher Crossing is leaning into that trend with a wine-friendly book club. Held quarterly, “Sips & Stories” pairs a featured reading selection with wines and snacks. The kick-off event, set for Feb. 26 from 5-7 p.m., highlights “The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It.” It’s free for wine club members; for everyone else, wines by the glass and snacks will be available for purchase.
Dutcher Crossing is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday. 8533 Dry Creek Road, Geyserville. 707-431-2700, dutchercrossingwinery.com
Tina Caputo is a wine, food, and travel journalist who contributes to Sonoma magazine, SevenFifty Daily, Visit California, Northern California Public Media, KQED, and more. Follow her on Bluesky at @winebroad.bsky.social, view her website at tinacaputo.com, and email her story ideas at tina@caputocontent.com.