Is it possible to capture a place in a bottle? Fred Peterson, owner of Peterson Winery, certainly thinks so. In fact, that is his goal in every bottle of wine he makes.

Peterson believes that each bottle of wine should reflect the vineyard where the grapes were grown and the characteristics of the fruit at the time it was picked. That is why Peterson Winery employs a zero manipulation policy to ensure a wine that has integrity of place, which speaks of its origins.

Zero manipulation does not mean ignoring the wine. On the contrary, it means ensuring that the natural aromas and flavors of each vintage shine through. The less one does to the wine, the more likely that will happen. And that's where Peterson excels.

Not a surprise from a man who considers himself, first and foremost, a grape grower and winemaker in pursuit of perfect fruit, hand picked at just the right time. "I come at it from the vineyard side, looking from the vines into the bottle rather than from the bottle into the vineyard," he says. And, having worked harvests Down Under, Fred has cultivated an international perspective. New Zealand taught him that only by matching soil and climate with the proper grape can one create truly great wine.

Housed in a 1930s red barn overlooking the fields, Peterson Winery is a serious place producing serious hand-crafted products, from Chardonnay and Sangiovese to Zinfandel and Zero Manipulation.

The winery is open for tours by appointment but has no tasting room. It does, however, sponsor a summer open house - this year scheduled for July 12 - and is open to the public on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, as well as during special events like the Dry Creek Valley Passport Weekend. At that time, visitors can join Fred and his family and taste the essence of Dry Creek in the bottles of wine they produce.

Peterson Winery
PO Box 1374
Healdsburg, California 95448
707-431-7568
www.petersonwinery.com