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Many years ago, Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley
consisted of mostly prune orchards and pasture land.
In 1962, Maggie and Harry Wetzel purchased a large
portion of a homestead built by Cyrus Alexander, the valley’s
nineteenth century namesake. Here, in a rural community of family
farms and ranches, the Wetzel family settled.
They raised livestock, cultivated bountiful
gardens, and restored Alexander’s original home, making it the
center of family life. With an eye to their neighbors in nearby Napa
Valley, the Wetzel’s boldly planted premium grape varieties, among
the first in the area. Then the family built a small winery.
Hank Wetzel, the oldest son of Maggie and Harry,
produced Alexander Valley Vineyard’s first wine in 1975. His wife,
Linda, set up the books and managed the winery office. Alexander
Valley Vineyards quickly established for themselves a reputation for
estate grown wines with a distinctive varietal character. Acclaimed
for crisp Chardonnay and luscious Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander
Valley Vineyards brought recognition to the appellation and became a
leading winery in Sonoma County.
Hank’s younger sister, Katie Wetzel Murphy, joined
the family business in 1979. As Alexander Valley’s enthusiastic
Ambassador of Wine, she travels the country fueling the family-owned
winery’s reputation. Today, the Alexander Valley is a prominent
appellation known worldwide as a source of elegant, age-worthy
wines. The Wetzel Family Estate now grows fourteen grape varieties
on diverse sites stretching from the banks of the Russian River up
onto the hillsides. Each grape variety is matched to a specific soil
type and exposure. Vineyard Manager Mark Houser and Winemaker Kevin
Hall work as a team to maximize fruit flavor in the vineyard and to
create balanced wines that capture the grapes’ varietal
characteristics. Hank Wetzel oversees the vineyard and winery
operations, and his wife, Linda, continues to oversee
administration. Now, the third generation of Wetzel’s has joined the
winery. Harry Wetzel IV, is Assistant Winemaker while his younger
brother, Robert, is the National Sales Manager.
Alexander Valley Vineyards produces 100,000 cases
annually of 17 varietal wines and proprietary blends. Seventy-five
percent of their production is red wine. Chardonnay, Merlot, and
Cabernet Sauvignon constitute over one-third of total production.
Other varietals include Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Gewurztraminer,
Syrah, Sangiovese, Viognier, and Cabernet Franc.
Cyrus, a limited production, proprietary red wine,
named in honor of the pioneer Cyrus Alexander, is Alexander Valley
Vineyard’s benchmark, honoring the past while signaling the future.
Hank Wetzel explains, “Cyrus is a statement; our ultimate
achievement. With this wine, we express our history, tradition, and
excellence.”
Please join John Wetzel, California and Export
Sales, for an evening of great wines, informative facts, a light
meal, and all for $33 for members and $38 for guests.
Chris Cunningham
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