Posts by Joy Sterling

The big news from an Earth Day tour of our creek restoration: Approximately 900 juvenile coho counted this spring. On a gorgeous day at Iron Horse along Green Valley Creek, with the rain graciously holding off until nightfall, it felt like a deeply validating measure of what the creek restoration is already beginning to achieve.…

  Innovation in the Vineyard: Connectivity, AI, and the Future of Winegrowing at Iron Horse When asked whether we are innovators, I am quick to raise my hand for Iron Horse. We’re at the forefront of innovation in the vineyard, and honored to receive the  CENIC AIR (AI Resources) Pioneering Contributions Award in recognition of…

It was 1976. The year Audrey and Barry Sterling discovered a magical place called Iron Horse. Tucked into the cool, foggy hills of western Sonoma County, the property offered everything they had been searching for. From that vantage point, they recognized its extraordinary potential and began building Iron Horse Vineyards – a journey that now…

 As we step into 2026, I’m filled with equal parts gratitude and amazement. This year brings a rare convergence for my family and for Iron Horse: our 50th Anniversary, America’s 250th, my mother and Iron Horse co-founder Audrey Sterling’s 95th birthday, our winemaker David Munksgard’s 30th vintage at Iron Horse, and, very auspiciously, the Year…

December in the Vineyard … and what’s coming as we head into our 50th year! We’re in the heart of the holiday season, and hanging mistletoe is one of my favorite traditions. A simple invitation to pause and share a moment of affection and joy, laughter, and definitely kissing. We’re fortunate to have an abundance…

I’m thrilled to share what feels like a defining moment for Iron Horse Vineyards — the transformation taking shape along Green Valley Creek as part of our Coho salmon habitat restoration project. After eight years of planning and permitting, we’re seeing our vision come to life: gently returning the land to what nature intended, restoring…

Innovation • Stewardship • Resilience What looked like a scene out of Iwo Jima was the installation of a fire-watch mast at Iron Horse. Three pairs of steady hands hoisted four state-of-the-art thermal cameras into place on the winery roof, transforming our panoramic view from simply breathtaking into a safeguard for our community. This system…

One of the most frequent FAQ in our tasting room is: “Where should we go for lunch?” It makes me smile because we are always genuinely happy to share what we’re enjoying in the area. Hospitality, after all, doesn’t end when we pour the last splash. It extends into making recommendations for Russian River Valley…

And just like that, Harvest 2025 is a wrap. It began on August 12 with Pinot Noir destined for Sparkling. Final picks were on September 12, harvesting Rued clone Chardonnay for still wine. Total yield was 403.21 tons of fruit. We are projecting 18,500 cases of Sparkling. But while the numbers look straightforward, the path…

This may seem like a ridiculous proposition, but we hosted a 30th anniversary party this weekend — and I am here to tell you, it’s the best thing we’ve done in a long time. Give a party. I highly recommend it. It will turn your entire mindset around. I know. Everything argues against celebrating —…

A Garden Reflects the Gardener They say a garden is a reflection of the gardener’s mind. I’ve always liked that idea – and lately, I’ve come to believe it more deeply than ever. This is my father’s garden. A barely contained jungle of summer delights. The dahlias are just coming into their own – in…

We’ve just broken ground on a very special sustainability project at our winery along Green Valley Creek that bisects our estate and serves as a prized passageway for Coho salmon. You cross it as you head over the bridge to the winery. This time of year, it’s little more than a trickle and may dry…