Regional Map / Russian River Watershed
Russian River Valley
The Russian River Valley extends from Healdsburg to the Wohler Narrows, a set of large rocks which mark the entrance to the lower river canyon. This eight-mile long valley has been an agricultural area for many years, supporting hops, orchards, and vineyards. Winegrapes are the primary crop now.
 Gravel Mining in the Russian River Slideshow PDF
The Russian River channel in this valley has undergone significant alteration due to deep pit-mining in the 1970s. A vast amount of gravel and cobble has been removed, resulting in the river channel bottom dropping 22 feet. This significant environmental impact continues to affect aquatic habitat, riparian forest, and tributary streams. Tributary creeks include West Slough, Lower Windsor, Pool, Pistol, Dry, Lower Mark West, Storey, and Porter Creeks.
Certified Sites:
Enrolled Sites:
Certified
Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery—Magnolia Ranch and Storey Creek Ranch
Magnolia Ranch occupies 38 acres between West Slough and the Russian River. Channelization of the Russian River and urbanization elsewhere in the watershed is impacting West Slough, creating bank erosion and channel incision. These impacts are being addressed on the site by revegetating the banks with native tree species. The 129-acre Storey Ranch straddles Storey Creek where revegetation projects are ongoing to increase wildlife habitat. In 2003, Ferrari-Carano received an FFF award for Exceptional Actions and Dedication to Environmental Conservation. Visit www.ferrari-carano.com.
Other Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery sites:
Estate Vineyard, Beckman Ranch, and Keegan Ranch in the Dry Creek Valley section
Upper and Lower Hocking Ranches, Stang Ranch in the Alexander Valley section
Storey Creek borders vineyards
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Hop Kiln Estate Winery— Sweetwater Springs;
This 250-acre site includes a large riparian forest and upstream creek area protected by a conservation easement. The channel incision in the main Russian River has significantly affected Pistol Creek on this site and required a major restoration project following the January 1, 2006 flood. Visit www.hopkilnwinery.com.
Pool in Upper Pistol Creek
Vineyards at Hopkiln Winery with riparian corridor of Russian river in the distance
Pistol Creek Slideshow
You will need acrobat reader to view this file. Click on the image to download the program.
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Lone Redwood Ranch
This 60-acre site borders Mark West Creek. Lone Redwood Ranch is owned by Jay and Jean McMullen, descendants of the Laughlin family, early pioneers in Sonoma County. The riparian corridor along Mark West Creek is diverse and supports pipevine swallowtail butterflies as well as the lone redwood after which the ranch is named.
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| The riparian corridor along Mark West Creek is diverse and supports pipevine swallowtail butterflies. |
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Richard’s Grove and Saralee’s Vineyard—Trenton Station and Slusser Road Ranches
The Trenton Station Ranch straddles Trenton Road and includes several creeks. As part of their Fish Friendly Farming farm plan, owners Rich and Saralee Kunde have eradicated invasive, non-native blue periwinkle and Himalayan blackberry from riparian corridors and re-planted with native plants to increase wildlife habitat. The Slusser Road Ranch borders Mark West Creek where banks are planted with willow to reduce erosion. Visit http://saraleesvineyards.com.
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Enrolled
Richard’s Grove and Saralee’s Vineyard—Catie’s Corner
This 37-acre site encompasses a creek and grassland. Visit http://saraleesvineyards.com.
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