Ironstone Vineyards

Ironstone Vineyards is a winery that is noted for the production of several leading US wine brands, including Obsession Wines, Leaping Horse Vineyards, Christine Andrew, Stone Valley, and Drifting.[1] As of 2004, Ironstone has been listed as the 17th-largest winery (in terms of cases sold) in the United States.[2] Ironstone also sells significant amounts of wine in international markets including the United Kingdom, Canada, and 40 other countries.[2] Ironstone has used a series of different names and bottle designs including "Kautz Ironstone Vineyards," "Ironstone Vineyards," "IronStone," and, most recently, "Ironstone 4th Generation Family Growers".

The entrance to Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys, California

Lodi Grape Growers

In addition to vineyards in the Sierra Foothills, Ironstone draws on the production from its Lodi appellation vineyards—some 7,000 acres (28 km2) in all. John and Gail Kautz, founders of Ironstone, were the first to plant chardonnay and other wine varietals in the Lodi area.[3][4] The Kautz family grows numerous varieties including Cabernet Franc, Symphony, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Ironstone Vineyards is a family-run business where apart from the husband-wife duo, John and Gail Kautz, their sons Kurt Kautz is the chief financial officer and Jack Kautz is the director.[5]

The family's Bear Creek Winery, founded in 1934, is listed as having 8.2 million gallons of capacity, making it the 24th largest winery in the U.S.[6] Recent capacity expansions have increased this to an estimated 12 million gallons, making it around the 20th largest winery in the U.S. Jack Kautz, who is also the founder of CrossFit Lodi,[7] is a partner at Bear Creek Winery and is responsible for marketing the family's wines throughout the United States.[8]

In 2015, Jack appealed to Calaveras County Planning Commission to block the construction of the Verizon tower, a mile from the winery.[9] In the same year, Ironstone Vineyards owners, John and Jack Kautz, donated $25,000 to The Murphys Fire Protection Service.[10]

Visitors' center and amphitheater

The Ironstone facility is located in Calaveras County, just outside Murphys, California. The seven-story building is built in the shape of a gold stamp mill.[11]

The largest specimen of crystalline gold in existence [12]is on display in the Jewelry Shoppe. It is a 44lbs troy (16.4kg) gold specimen known as Ironstone's Crown Jewel.

Yearly events include the Obsession Weekend, when new wine is released, and a multi-county judged daffodil show held in March, as well as the Coucours d' Elegance car show, a fund-raiser for California youth agriculture programs held in September.[13] [14] [15] [16]

Ironstone puts on annual concerts and in the past has featured acts such as the Russian National Orchestra, Dave Koz, Robert Cray, and Michael McDonald.[17][18]

See also

References
  1. "Ironstone Vineyards - Contact Us - Trade & Distributors". www.ironstonevineyards.com. Archived from the original on 2017-03-25. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  2. "The Top 30 US Wine Companies of 2004 - #17". Wine Business Monthly. Archived from the original on 2007-10-26. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  3. "John Kautz, Kautz Farms, Grower of the Year" (PDF). California Association of Winegrape Growers. January 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  4. "CAWG Honors John Kautz Farms as Grower of the Year" (PDF). American Vineyard Grape Grower & PCA. 21 (1). January 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  5. "Kautz Family Golden When it Comes to Wine … and Much More". Lodi Wines. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  6. "Largest U.S. wineries". BNet Business Network. July 2004. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  7. Evans, Dan. "CrossFit challenge makes its way to Lodi". Lodinews.com. Lodi News Sentinel.
  8. "Jack Kautz on Ironstone Vineyards". Ironstone Vineyards. Archived from the original on 2019-02-09. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  9. Report, Enterprise. "Planners reject appeal to halt construction of cell tower near Murphys". Calaveras Entreprise. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
  10. Lockwood, Sunny. "Kautzes deliver $25,000 gift". The Union Democrat. Archived from the original on February 9, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  11. "About Ironstone Vineyards". Ironstone Vineyards. March 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-02-29. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
  12. "Ironstone Heritage Museum & Jewelry Shoppe | Sierra Nevada Geotourism". sierranevadageotourism.org. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  13. Monk, Bethany (March 6, 2007). "Ironstone hosts successful Springtime Obsession Weekend". Calaveras Enterprise. Archived from the original on May 28, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  14. "Murphys Irish Days". 2008-02-27. Archived from the original on 2008-03-05. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  15. "Ironstone Vineyards Daffodil Show". www.seecalifornia.com. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  16. "Coucours Foundation". 2008-02-27. Archived from the original on 2008-09-24.
  17. Elwood, Philip (2001-05-06). "Big-name acts press their case". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
  18. "Ironstone Concerts Announcement 2007". 2008-03-02. Retrieved 2008-03-02.

Ironstone brands

Other

38.1206°N 120.4696°W / 38.1206; -120.4696

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