Alexander Valley Vineyards/Wetzel Estate

The Wetzel Estate grows fourteen grape varieties at the Alexander Valley Vineyards ( http://www.avvwine.com) 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. The vineyards wine cave, where barrel fermentation and aging take place, reaches deep into a hillside adjacent to the winery for a total of 25,000 sq. ft. Cyrus Alexander, a 19th century adventurer who settled in the valley, after which this region is named, is buried in a cemetery on the winery grounds, together with his wife Rufina and five of the ten Alexander children.