ALEXANDER
VALLLEY
A Legacy Rooted in Alexander Valley
Woodhawk Vineyards sits atop a 70-acre hilltop estate overlooking the Alexander Valley and the Russian River in northern Sonoma County.
The story of this remarkable region begins in 1840, when pioneer Cyrus Alexander arrived and famously declared it “the brightest and best spot in the world.” Together with his employer and partner, Henry Fitch, Alexander secured the 48,800-acre Rancho Sotoyome land grant from the Mexican government. In return for managing the ranch, Alexander received 8,800 acres of his own land and became one of the first to cultivate grapevines in the valley.
Over the decades, settlers followed, planting Mission grapes before expanding to Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. By 1889, Alexander Valley’s first commercial winery, Lone Pine Vineyard, had been established, laying the foundation for the region’s winemaking future.
A defining moment came in 1971 when pioneering vintner Rodney Strong recognized the potential of hillside Cabernet Sauvignon. Defying conventional wisdom, he planted 15 acres of Cabernet on a small Alexander Valley hilltop. The resulting 1974 vintage—the first vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignon in Sonoma County—earned critical acclaim and helped establish Alexander Valley as one of California’s premier Cabernet-growing regions.
Just north of Rancho Sotoyome, Woodhawk Vineyards stands on land once part of Rancho Rincon de Musalacon, an 8,867-acre Mexican land grant awarded in 1846 by Governor Pío Pico to Francisco Berreyesa. Ownership passed through generations, including the McPherson family, whose historic barn still stands along River Road.
The property evolved significantly during the late twentieth century. Carl and Barbara Stinnett acquired the estate in the 1980s and established the original residence and supporting structures in 1992. Cynthia Douglas, who purchased the property in 1996, expanded its equestrian facilities with the addition of a horse arena and barn.
In 2000, the estate was acquired by Dado Banatao and Maria Banatao, whose vision transformed the property into the estate known today as Woodhawk Vineyards. A pioneering engineer and entrepreneur, Banatao is credited with several groundbreaking innovations, including the first Windows graphics accelerator chip.
Michael and Kara Busselen became the stewards of Woodhawk Vineyards in 2020, embracing the responsibility of preserving its heritage while continuing its evolution for future generations.
Over the past four decades, Alexander Valley has emerged as one of California’s most celebrated winegrowing regions. Orchards of apples and plums have given way to vineyards, and today nearly 15,000 acres of sustainably farmed wine grapes thrive throughout the appellation. Cabernet Sauvignon remains the valley’s signature variety, producing wines of exceptional character and distinction that continue to define Alexander Valley’s reputation on the world stage.