Windy Hill Estate Winery

This estate's 144 acres is situated in the Petaluma Gap of Sonoma County in the town of Cotati. Michael Karah started the winery in 1995 with the goal of specializing in Pinot Noir. The property is rich in history and folkore, built upon land used by the famous environmental artists Christo and Jeane-Claude to create their Running Fence in 1976.

There are a total of 34 acres of Pinot Noir planted to various clones and 7 acres of Chardonnay.

The winemaker is Warner Henderson, a graduate of University of California at Davis. His time spent in France after graduation provided him with valuable experience. He returned to the United States and spent nine years at Diamond Creek Vineyards, followed by stints at other wineries in Sonoma and Napa. Henderson hooked up with Karah in 2002, directed the refurbishment of the estate vineyards, and directed the conversion of an old hay barn into the estate winery.

Visitors are welcome on weekends by appointment (request by e-mail on website). The 2001, 2002 and 2003 Pinot Noirs from Northface Vineyard on the estate are for sale on the website.