Sharp Mountain Vineyards operates on the simple but essential principle that to produce the finest wine, you must begin with the finest fruit. This quest for perfection requires personal attention to every detail – from employing tried-and-true “winegrowing” practices to personally harvesting the best grapes and handcrafting the wines.

Ron and Jan Rathgeb began their labor of love in earnest in 1995, planting Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, Gewürztraminer, Viognier and Pinot Noir. In 2002, the Rathgebs added Primitivo, Trebbiano, and Pinot Gris to the breezy hillsides of their peaceful, 19 -acre Sharp Mountain estate.

At 1,600 feet, Sharp Mountain Vineyards is ideally suited to its purpose. The rocky, alluvial soil is perfect for growing these balanced vines, which thrive on 5 acres of well-drained slopes. The west-facing site provides even, north-to-south exposure to nourishing sunlight, and wider spacing of the plants maximizes air circulation. The Rathgebs dry farm the vineyard and anually thin shoots & clusters, pull leaves, and hedge the rows to produce the highest quality grapes. Although these practices lower yield, they ultimately produce more intense and complex wines.

From start to finish, Sharp Mountain Vineyards wines are truly hand-crafted in the old-world fashion. At harvest-time, Ron and Jan choose each grape with care and begin the wine making process utilizing the highest-quality Italian-made equipment. After the destemming and crushing process is completed, the grapes are hand punched twice a day during maceration in stainless steel fermenters and then pressed gently in a bladder press. Finally, bottles are filled under vacuum and corked with an Italian floor corker.

The result is more than a wine: it is an experience.