Dunnigan Hills AVA

Grape growing in Dunnigan Hills traces back to 1861, when Jacob Knauth planted 450 acres of Orleans Hills vineyards in the region. The area remained primarily agricultural until 1981, when John and Karl Giguiere, whose family had farmed the hills for six generations, planted the first modern vineyards on their family land. In 1983 they founded R.H. Phillips Winery, named after their maternal grandfather, and grew it from 4,000 cases in its first vintage to a 750,000-case producer with such recognized brands as Toasted Head Chardonnay. The AVA petition, filed by R.H. Phillips winemaker Ron McClendon, was approved in 1993, cementing the region's identity. The Giguieres sold R.H. Phillips to Vincor International in 2000; Constellation Brands later acquired Vincor in 2006 and closed the Dunnigan Hills winery facility in 2009. Freed from their non-compete agreement, the Giguieres founded Crew Wine Company in 2005, building its winery in 2008 and eventually rebranding as Matchbook Wine Company.

• First modern vineyards planted in 1981 by John and Karl Giguiere on their family's sixth-generation farm
• R.H. Phillips founded 1983; grew to 750,000 cases; sold to Vincor International in 2000; Constellation Brands acquired Vincor in 2006
• AVA petition filed by R.H. Phillips winemaker Ron McClendon; approved May 13, 1993; effective June 14, 1993
• Matchbook Wine Company (formerly Crew Wine Company) founded 2005 by the Giguieres; winery constructed 2008; sole active estate winery in AVA

Dunnigan Hills AVA occupies a distinctive niche within the Sacramento Valley, with low rolling hills rising to approximately 400 feet elevation surrounded by flat valley floor at 60 to 130 feet. Situated approximately 50 miles northwest of Sacramento, the appellation runs roughly 19.5 miles northwest to southeast and up to 10 miles wide, bounded by Cache Creek to the south and Buckeye Creek to the north. The region's defining climate feature is the cooling influence of breezes from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to the south, which can drop nighttime temperatures by up to 40 degrees during summer months. This diurnal variation preserves natural grape acidity despite hot inland days averaging 95 to 98°F. The undulating topography also provides better air drainage than the surrounding valley floor, reducing spring frost risk. The Dunnigan Hills Fault is the key structural factor behind the area's characteristic rolling terrain.

• Location: approximately 50 miles northwest of Sacramento in northwestern Yolo County; hills run 19.5 miles northwest to southeast
• Elevation contrast: hills to approximately 400 feet vs. surrounding valley floor at 60 to 130 feet; superior air drainage reduces frost risk
• Delta breezes create diurnal swings of up to 40°F in summer; daytime highs 95 to 98°F, nighttime lows 55 to 65°F
• Dunnigan Hills Fault drives the rolling topography; free-draining red gravel loams on elevated terraces; silty or clay loams over sandstone in valley bottoms

Dunnigan Hills supports a broad range of varieties, with reds dominating plantings. Petite Sirah is a standout varietal, thriving on the well-drained upland gravelly soils and delivering full-bodied wines with dark chocolate, black pepper, and blackberry character. Petit Verdot, championed by Matchbook Wine Company as a signature variety, produces concentrated, deeply colored reds with dark fruit and structural grip. Tempranillo, planted by the Giguieres as early as 1988 at R.H. Phillips, has become a defining variety of the appellation and is expressed under Matchbook's Tinto Rey label. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Grenache round out the principal reds. On the white side, Chardonnay delivers tropical fruit character driven by the warm days and is a longstanding strength of the region, while Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier also perform well. The warm, dry Mediterranean climate produces ripe, fruit-forward styles balanced by the natural acidity preserved through cool nights.

• Petite Sirah: signature red; thrives on well-drained gravelly upland soils; dark chocolate, black pepper, blackberry with full body and firm tannins
• Petit Verdot: estate specialty at Matchbook; deeply concentrated dark fruit, structural tannins, long finish
• Tempranillo: planted since 1988; expressed under Matchbook's Tinto Rey label; a defining variety of the appellation
• Chardonnay: tropical fruit profile (mango, papaya, melon) shaped by warm days; Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Grenache, and Viognier also planted

Matchbook Wine Company stands as the only active estate winery within Dunnigan Hills AVA boundaries, founded by John and Karl Giguiere and Lane Giguiere in 2005 and operating from 1,600 acres of estate vineyards near Zamora. The winery uses sustainable and regenerative farming practices and focuses on varieties best suited to the warm inland terroir, including Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chardonnay. Grindstone Wines also maintains a tasting room within the AVA near Esparto, surrounded by 25 acres of vineyards featuring seven different varieties. R.H. Phillips vineyards, now retained by Constellation Brands with approximately 1,700 acres in the Dunnigan Hills, continue to be farmed, though wines are produced at the Woodbridge facility near Lodi. The Giguieres' sister company JK Vineyards supplies grapes to Bogle Vineyards, Constellation Wines, and E. and J. Gallo, extending the AVA's grape-growing influence well beyond its winery count.

• Matchbook Wine Company: sole active estate winery in AVA; 1,600 estate acres near Zamora; sustainable and regenerative farming; Giguiere family-owned
• Grindstone Wines: tasting room within AVA near Esparto; 25 acres with seven varieties
• R.H. Phillips vineyards: approximately 1,700 acres retained by Constellation Brands; wines now produced at Woodbridge, Lodi
• JK Vineyards (Giguiere family): supplies estate fruit to Bogle, Constellation, and Gallo, amplifying the AVA's regional grape-growing footprint

Dunnigan Hills was established as a federally recognized American Viticultural Area on May 13, 1993, with an effective date of June 14, 1993, making it the 119th AVA in the United States and the 64th in California. The petition was reviewed under TTB (then ATF) regulations requiring proof that the region is distinguishable by geographical features including climate, soils, elevation, and physical boundaries. As with all AVAs, wines labeled with the Dunnigan Hills name must contain at least 85% fruit from within the designated area. The appellation has no internal sub-zones, no mandated grape varieties, and no specific yield or harvest restrictions beyond federal baseline requirements. This regulatory flexibility has allowed producers to experiment with a wide range of varieties, from classic Bordeaux grapes to Iberian varieties such as Tempranillo and Grenache.

• Established: May 13, 1993 (Federal Register); effective June 14, 1993; 119th U.S. AVA and 64th California AVA
• 85% regional fruit required for AVA label use (standard federal TTB rule)
• Total area: approximately 89,000 acres; approximately 1,300 acres planted to wine grapes
• No sub-appellations, mandated varieties, or production restrictions beyond federal standards; broad varietal flexibility

Dunnigan Hills offers an approachable wine country experience without the crowds or price premiums of the North Coast. Matchbook Wine Company, located near Zamora off Interstate 5, is the AVA's primary destination, offering daily tastings with views of the rolling estate vineyards. Grindstone Wines provides a second tasting room experience nearer Esparto on the other side of Interstate 505. The region's proximity to Sacramento (approximately 50 miles) and Davis, home to UC Davis and its renowned viticulture and enology program, positions it naturally within Northern California's agricultural tourism circuit. Yolo County's growing wine trail integrates Dunnigan Hills with neighboring Clarksburg and Capay Valley AVAs, offering visitors a full day of diverse wine experiences in a relaxed rural setting rooted in multi-generational family farming.

• Matchbook Wine Company near Zamora (off I-5): daily tasting room, 11am to 4:30pm; estate vineyard views
• Grindstone Wines: tasting room near Esparto on the west side of I-505 with 25 acres of estate vineyards
• Approximately 50 miles northwest of Sacramento; close to UC Davis and its viticulture and enology faculty
• Integrated into the Yolo County wine trail alongside Clarksburg and Capay Valley AVAs