Welcome to the best place in the world to inspire A Beautiful Experience.
Vineyard
The right balance of location, climate and soil.
In the heart of California’s renowned Sonoma County lies the Russian River Valley. And at the heart of the Russian River Valley lies the Green Valley, the place where River Road Family Vineyards and Winery calls home.
14 miles from the Pacific, it’s cool, foggy – and absolutely perfect for growing grapes that turn out an exceptional Pinot Noir.
Fog
Cool weather brings out the best in Pinot Noir grapes, helping to accentuate its natural flavor, yet bringing exceptional balance in the process.
That’s why the Green Valley’s fog is such an important ingredient. It rolls in through the Petaluma Wind Gap each afternoon, and doesn’t burn off until mid- to late morning, keeping our vines cooler than our neighbors just to the north and south.
It’s a difference you can taste with every sip.
Soil
While Pinot Noir grapes are known for thriving in rocky soils, our Goldridge Sandy Loam soil is something different.
It’s a remnant of a shallow inland sea that drained from the region about five million years ago. The fine, sandy soil is unequaled in its chemical balance.
What does that mean for the grapes? Fruit ripens slowly, which means the wines ultimately have lower alcohol content and balanced acidity, which makes them pair better with a wide range of food.
Read more about our renowned Goldridge Sandy Loam soil.
Code of Conduct
River Road Family Vineyards and Winery
Scope: The Social Responsibility & Sustainability Commitment represents River Road Family Vineyards and Winery’s commitment to process, sell, and source goods and services from those suppliers that achieve the following recognized standards and practices regarding worker relations and working environments. This commitment also outlines our commitment to environmental sustainability, which extends to our staff, business partners, vendors, service providers, and our operation.
River Road Family Vineyards and Winery’s Commitment: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery is committed to positive change, taking responsibility for the impact we make on the environment and on human lives. We seek business partners and suppliers that consider the broader impact of their activities on human rights and the environment in which they operate. Our staff members are held to high standards of personal practices and environmental stewardship. They are made aware of environmental and labor laws, care and the preservation of various natural resources.
River Road Family Vineyards and Winery is committed to the following: (a) the fair treatment of its staff members; (b) the safety, quality, and integrity of its products and processes; (c) the care of our community and the environment; (d) and transparency and high standards of ethical and legal conduct for itself.
Supplier Expectation: River Road Family Vineyards and Winery expects its suppliers and service providers to conduct business responsibly, with integrity, honesty, and transparency, and to adhere to the following principles:
1) Compliance With Applicable Laws
River Road Family Vineyards and Winery expects its suppliers to maintain awareness and comply with all applicable laws and regulations relevant to their municipalities and countries of operation.
2) Legal Business Practices
River Road Family Vineyards and Winery expects its suppliers to compete fairly for River Road Family Vineyards and Winery’s business, without paying bribes, kickbacks or giving anything of value to secure an improper advantage. River Road Family Vineyards and Winery is committed to conducting business legally and ethically within the framework of a free enterprise system. Corrupt arrangements with customers, suppliers, government officials, or other third parties are strictly prohibited. “Corruption” generally refers to obtaining, or attempting to obtain, a personal benefit or business advantage through improper or illegal means.
3) Diversity and Inclusion
River Road Family Vineyards and Winery expects its suppliers to encourage a diverse workforce and provide a workplace free from discrimination, harassment or any other form of abuse. Our suppliers must create a work environment in which employees and business partners feel valued and respected for their contributions. Harassment, including unwelcome verbal, visual, physical, or other conduct of any kind that creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile work environment are not tolerated. Employment decisions must be based on qualifications, skills, performance, and experience.
4) Employee Fair Wages and Benefits
River Road Family Vineyards and Winery expects its suppliers to practice fair employee treatment with respect to wages, working hours and benefits. Our suppliers must comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements and must apply sound employee relations practices. Working hours, wages, benefits must be consistent with laws and industry standards, including those pertaining to minimum wages, overtime, other elements of compensation, and legally mandated benefits.
5) Prohibition of Forced Labor
River Road Family Vineyards and Winery expects its suppliers to maintain and promote fundamental human rights. Employment decisions must be based on free choice and there may be no coerced or prison labor, and no use of physical punishment or threats of violence or other forms of physical, sexual, psychological or verbal abuse as a method of discipline or control.
6) Prohibition of Child Labor
River Road Family Vineyards and Winery expects its suppliers to adhere to minimum employment age limit defined by national regulation and comply with relevant International Labor Organization (ILO) standards. In no instance shall a supplier permit children to perform work that exposes them to undue physical risks that can harm physical, mental, or emotional development or improperly interfere with their schooling needs.
7) Employees Freedom of Speech
River Road Family Vineyards and Winery expects its suppliers to respect their employees’ right to freedom of association and collective bargaining, consistent with local laws. Consistent with applicable law, River Road Family Vineyards and Winery’s suppliers must respect their employees’ rights to join or refrain from joining associations and worker organizations.
8) Safe and Healthy Working Conditions
River Road Family Vineyards and Winery expects its suppliers to proactively manage health and safety risks to provide an incident-free environment where occupational injuries and illnesses are prevented. Suppliers must have a method in place to identify and control workplace hazards associated with their industry and processes. Also, suppliers must provide potable drinking water and adequate restrooms; fire exits and essential fire safety equipment; emergency aid kits and access to emergency response including environmental, fire and medical.
9) Environmental Stewardship
River Road Family Vineyards and Winery expects its suppliers to carry out operations with care for the environment and comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations. The potential environmental impacts of daily business decision-making processes should be considered along with opportunities for conservation of natural resources, recycling, material sourcing reduction, pollution control to ensure cleaner air and water, and reduction of landfill waste.
10) Financial practices
River Road Family Vineyards and Winery expects its suppliers to maintain accurate financial books and business records in accordance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements and accepted accounting practices.
11) Conflict of Interests and Gifts
River Road Family Vineyards and Winery’s suppliers are prohibited from providing or offering gifts to River Road Family Vineyards and Winery employees that could inappropriately influence River Road Family Vineyards and Winery’s business decisions or gain an unfair advantage.
12) Food Safety Commitment
River Road Family Vineyards and Winery expects its suppliers to deliver products and services meeting applicable quality and food safety standards. River Road Family Vineyards and Winery is committed to producing and selling safe and superior quality food. Suppliers involved in any aspect of developing, handling, packaging, or storing food products shall do so in compliance with good manufacturing practices and proper sanitary protocols.