Bucklin Old Hill Ranch

Bucklin Old Hill Ranch is one of California's most historically significant wine properties. The Old Hill Vineyard on Madrone Road in Glen Ellen was planted in the 1880s by William McPherson Hill — a mixed-black planting of Zinfandel, Alicante Bouschet, Petite Sirah, Carignane, and other heritage varieties that has been farmed continuously ever since.

Will Bucklin has farmed the vineyard biodynamically since the 1990s, producing tiny quantities of co-fermented field blend and varietal Zinfandel from the ancient vines. The SORBET organic tasting at Fort Mason in August 2025 featured Bucklin Old Hill Ranch as one of the historically significant producers in the Sonoma Valley biodynamic community.

The weekend ranch tasting is about as unpretentious as wine country gets — Will Bucklin is usually present, the setting is a working farm, and the connection to a 140-year-old living vineyard is immediate and tangible. Ravenswood also sources from Old Hill for their legendary Old Hill Ranch Zinfandel, which gives some context for how exceptional this vineyard is.

At its Glen Ellen location, Bucklin Old Hill Ranch presents a featured lineup that includes Old Hill Ranch Zinfandel, Old Hill Ranch Field Blend, Estate Zinfandel, and Carignane. Together, these bottles provide a focused introduction to the varieties, vineyard sources, and style that define the winery's current portfolio.