In this episode of "The Good Stuff" presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Ames Morison, Co-Founder of Medlock Ames Winery.

Medlock Ames was founded by college best friends Chris Medlock James and Ames Morison. After sharing a love for wine as roommates in college and later as roommates in New York City, they decided to pack their bags and move to California to join the wine industry. Medlock Ames consists of two properties: the Historic Healdsburg Tasting Room, situated at the intersection of Route 128 and Alexander Valley Road, and the Winery & Vineyard, located at Bell Mountain on Chalk Hill Road.

After exploring over 100 locations, they discovered Bell Mountain Ranch located at the southern tip of Alexander Valley, overlapping the Russian River Valley where several dozen acres of Merlot vines were sitting unmanaged. The beauty of Bell Mountain spoke to them and Medlock Ames was born. That was 1998 and the deep commitment to preserving Bell Mountain and being a vocal supporter for the kind of light-touch farming practices that being organic means has been a part of their values ever since.

Bell Mountain Ranch spans 338 acres along Chalk Hill Road, with 44 acres planted to vines. The ranch also features 650 olive trees, an orchard, and a garden for seasonal vegetables and flowers, embodying a dedication to land preservation since day one. A wildlife corridor threads through the vineyards, guiding animals safely through the property and into the adjacent 3,000-acre Pepperwood Preserve wildlife sanctuary.

Medlock Ames is deeply committed to sustainability, using innovative alternatives to pesticides, harnessing solar power for their winery and offices, and digitizing HR, finance, and tasting room operations to eliminate paper use. They partner with suppliers for electronic invoicing, reducing their carbon footprint, and maintain a wildlife corridor to support local wildlife. In collaboration with Pepperwood Preserve, they work to identify and protect the distinct ecosystems on their Bell Mountain Ranch property. The winery is functional and elegant, with caves dug into the ground to maximize natural insulation (cellar temperature is between 55°F–65°F), solar arrays that supply electricity, and an array of creative experiences, like their Immersive Sound Experience.

Last November, Medlock Ames Winery became one of a select few wineries worldwide to receive Regenerative Organic Certification, founded by the creators of Patagonia. With a philosophy of minimal intervention and traditional techniques, we craft wines exclusively from our own vines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Sparkling, Merlot, Chardonnay, Rosé, Dessert Wine, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. They produce just a few hundred cases of most wines and release them only once ready to drink.

And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!