McKahn Wines proudly sources grapes from premier vineyards throughout Northern California. Our flexibility in appellation selection allows us to seek out vineyards that meet our exacting standards. Blessed with some of the most diverse terroir in the world, California offers a rich tapestry of growing regions. Our wines capture this diversity, showcasing unique characteristics from the Napa Valley, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Valley, Monterey, and the Sierra Foothills.
Los Carneros, Napa Valley
The rolling hills of the Carneros American Viticultural Area span both Napa and Sonoma counties. Our Syrah is sourced from Hudson Ranch, located on the Napa side just west of the city of Napa along Old Sonoma Road.
Carneros is known for its patchwork of microclimates, and this site is especially distinctive. The vines sit high on a rocky, west-facing hillside, where they enjoy optimal sun exposure throughout the growing season. Positioned in the northern reaches of Carneros, the vineyard benefits from slightly warmer conditions than areas closer to San Pablo Bay, producing Syrah with both richness and finesse.
Russian River Valley
Our Viognier & Grenache Blanc grapes hail from Catie’s Corner Vineyard located in the northern stretch of the Russian River Valley. Owned by the Kunde Family, Catie’s Corner is both Certified Sustainable and Fish Friendly Farming Certified.
This renowned growing region is defined by warm, sun-filled days that give way to cool nights, thanks to the marine layer that drifts in from the Pacific Ocean. Over time, the Russian River’s wider ancient path left behind fine silty loam soils—an ideal foundation for growing exceptional white wine varieties.
Livermore Valley
The Livermore Valley is an East-West oriented valley east of the San Francisco Bay, and west of the Altamont hills that separate the Bay Area from the Central Valley. Grapes have been cultivated here since the 19th century. The coastal fog that regularly moves in and out of the valley moderate the warm days of the growing season and makes it an ideal location for growing wine grapes. It’s defining characteristic is the gravel that occupies most of the soil profiles throughout the valley and makes for low vigor vines and highly concentrated wine.
Shenandoah Valley of California
Our fruit from this region comes from Runquist Vineyards, located in the historic Shenandoah Valley of California—the oldest recognized growing area within the broader Sierra Foothills appellation. As the westernmost and lowest-elevation subregion, Shenandoah Valley enjoys abundant summer heat, making it especially well-suited to warm-climate varietals.
The rolling hills and well-drained soils naturally limit vigor, producing wines with notable richness and structure. Much of the valley’s soil is decomposed granite from the Sierra Nevada, mixed with sandy loam. High levels of iron give the earth its distinctive rust-red hue, a defining feature of this storied winegrowing region.
Sonoma Valley
We source fruit from Landa Vineyards, located in the Sonoma Valley American Viticultural Area. Tucked into the western slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains in southeastern Sonoma County, the valley runs north to south and is defined by its unique interplay of climate and terrain.
Cool air and fog drifting in from San Pablo Bay provide a natural counterbalance to the warm summer days, slowing ripening and preserving freshness. This extended growing season allows for wines of depth, structure, and elegance—hallmarks of Sonoma Valley’s reputation as one of California’s premier winegrowing regions.
Arroyo Seco, Monterey County
Our Grenache is grown by Luis Zabala of Zabala Vineyards in the Arroyo Seco American Viticultural Area of Monterey County. Nestled along the eastern downslope of the Santa Lucia Highlands between Soledad and Greenfield, Arroyo Seco is a unique pocket of warmth. Though close to the Pacific Ocean, it sits within a “Banana Belt,” where the growing season is notably warmer than neighboring coastal regions.
What truly sets Arroyo Seco apart is its dramatic soil profile. Over millennia, seasonal water flows from the Santa Lucia Highlands carved the arroyo and left behind massive cobblestones. These exceptionally well-drained soils limit vine vigor, concentrating flavors into smaller berries and producing wines with structure, depth, and distinctive character.