Thomas George Estates is the manifestation of the passion and commitment of the Baker Family to continue the tradition of growing great grapes and making great wines in the unique and magnificent Russian River Valley.

The natural beauty, vineyards and wine making potential of Northern California’s Russian River Valley is immense. One of the first to recognize this potential was Davis Bynum, who came to the dog-legged bend of the Russian River determined to succeed at crafting world class pinot noir and chardonnay. And succeed, he did!

In 1972, Davis purchased the property on Westside Road where the Thomas George Estates Winery and Baker Ridge Vineyard are now located. In 1973, he turned two former hop kilns into a winery, the first to be established on Westside Road, and in 1990 planted 9 acres of pinot noir in the hill-top pasture lands above the winery, marking the beginning of the vineyard which is now the Baker Ridge Vineyard, planted exclusively to pinot noir and chardonnay. Davis was soon joined by his son, Hampton, his daughter, Susie, and by winemaker Gary Farrell. Together they made wonderful wines at this winery both from grapes grown at their vineyard, and from grapes purchased from Russian River Valley neighbors such as Joe Rochioli. They made the first Russian River Valley vineyard designate pinot noir from Rochioli grapes, just one of their many significant contributions to the evolution of the wine business in the Russian River Valley. The Davis Bynum legacy is an integral part of the wine business in the Russian River Valley, and it is from this legacy that Thomas George Estates takes both its roots and its inspiration.

The Bakers are wine lovers, and like most lovers of wine, dreamed of making wine that would add value to the wine experience for themselves and for other wine enthusiasts. When Jeremy Baker visited the Davis Bynum property on Westside Road in 2007, a way of turning that dream into reality presented itself. Jeremy had moved from operating several successful restaurants in Toronto, including a great wine bar, to selling and marketing some of the finest of wines the world has to offer. When he visited the Davis Bynum property he knew that somehow, some way he would be moving next to making wine. At Thomas George Estates he has. And, Jeremy is certain that, though he is only 34, this is his last move!

On March 5, 2008, the Bakers purchased the Davis Bynum Winery and Vineyard on Westside Road.  As the Baker family set to work on the process of reinvigorating the winemaking facilities and vineyard, their Russian River Valley neighbors very graciously extended encouragement, support and guidance. The contributions of the Bynum family have ensured that we are able to take their traditions and legacy forward. Bruce and Steve Cousins of Armida Winery in the Dry Creek Valley have steadfastly guided us in the completion of the purchase and reinvigoration of these properties, and as a result, most of the new winemaking facilities were in place for the 2008 harvest. The second phase of this project is underway, which includes completion of a new crush pad facility in time for the 2009 harvest and completion before the end of 2009 of a 7,000 square foot cave  for barrel storage and hospitality. Russian River Valley winemaker Guy Davis of Davis Family Vineyards, has been a constant presence and friend upon whose support and encouragement we have relied in the pursuit of our dream.

In 2008, Ulises Valdez, a talented and successful viticulturist who farms many of the best vineyards in the Russian River Valley, redeveloped and expanded the pinot noir and chardonnay plantings in the Baker Ridge Vineyard and planted a one acre viognier vineyard on the winery property. Ulises will continue to farm all of the vineyards of Thomas George Estates.

Great grapes are essential to the making of great wine but someone must coax and nurture the process from harvest to bottle. That someone is Chris Russi, our winemaker. Chris joined us in August 2008 after extensive experience with Geyser Peak Winery and Peter Lehmann Winery in the Barossa Valley of South Australia, as a graduate of the viticulture and enology program at UC Davis, and after eight years as an award winning winemaker at another Russian River Valley winery. Early tasting of the 2008 wines which Chris has made for Thomas George Estates demonstrates that Chris is definitely the right “someone”!

Although our Baker Ridge Vineyard now has seven acres producing pinot noir, and will produce much more pinot noir and chardonnay from the additional twenty acres planted in 2008,we decided that we needed additional sources of estate grapes. So, in late 2008, Thomas George Estates purchased two award winning Russian River Valley vineyards from Gary and Debbie Farrell, Cresta Ridge and Starr Ridge. Our three Estate Vineyards, Baker Ridge, Cresta Ridge and Starr Ridge comprise more than sixty-two acres of great pinot noir and chardonnay, and assure that we will have a secure and continuing source of great pinot noir and chardonnay for the wines of Thomas George Estates.

Our logo of a cluster of red and of white grapes, with three leaves in different stages of life, symbolizes our passion and commitment to continuing with renewed vigor the tradition of making world class pinot noir and chardonnay in the Russian River Valley from grapes grown in our three vineyards.

We invite you to share in our dream, passion and commitment.
~The Baker Family