Parmelee-Hill Vineyard
Steve and Gwen Hill along with son Ned own Parmelee-Hill Vineyard (50 acres) and manage Durell Vineyards at Sand Hill Ranch in Sonoma Valley and Sonoma Carneros. They feature such varieties as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. Some of the wineries that use their grapes are Steele, Kendall-Jackson, Chateau St. Jean and Castle. Steve is a Commissioner on the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission.
Grower and Spouse names:
Steve and Gwen Hill; their son, Ned, who works with Steve; and daughter, Darcy, who currently attends Cal Poly.
Vineyard/Ranch name:
Own Parmelee-Hill Vineyard (50 acres) Manage Durell Vineyards at Sand Hill Ranch, owned by Bill and Ellie Price (200 acres) Manage an additional 100 acres for other clients.
Appellation:
Sonoma Valley and Sonoma Carneros
How long have you farmed this property?
Parmelee-Hill Vineyard was first planted in 1994; Managed Durell Vineyards at Sand Hill Ranch since 1979.
Total acreage managed and grape varieties planted:
350 Acres: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel
Why did you become a grape grower?
Steve attended Cal Poly and then worked as a food broker in San Francisco until 1979. He accepted a job from lifelong friend, Ed Durell, as manager of Sand Hill Ranch. This job fulfilled Steve’s dream to change and improve his lifestyle. Steve gained his grape growing skills by taking classes at UC Davis and Santa Rosa Junior College. Steve and his family have never looked back since becoming Sonoma County grape growers!
Ned liked being in the vineyard when he was only 9 — the equipment, the outdoors, the dirt, and seeing the “fruit” from a year’s hard work at harvest. He also enjoys the anticipation of producing better grapes each year due to the changes he makes to continually improve his grape growing practices.
Farming philosophy:
Steve merely wants to raise the greatest grapes for the greatest wines. Ned’s philosophy reflects his father’s values in never wanting to be set in his ways, always adapting vineyard practices to the soil, the rootstock, the grape variety, the surrounding neighbors, and the pests that are encountered.
What changes in farming practice do you anticipate making in the next 5 years?
Steve feels it will be important to integrate mechanization into the vineyard without sacrificing quality. Ned agrees and also realizes that he will have to be sensitive to public perception of vineyard practices and respond to those external expectations.
What was your worst horror story in grape growing?
Steve’s worst experience was phylloxera and watching the slow decline in grape yields and quality due to the pest. For Ned, it was the weather in 2000, with an early push in the spring, almost no frost, but a slow harvest due to the cool fall.
Is your vineyard designated on any wine labels?
Which ones? Durell Vineyard is on a number of wines, Kendall-Jackson, Steele, Edmunds St. John, Chateau St. Jean, and Castle. Parmelee-Hill Vineyard produces Syrah for Steele and Edmunds St. John and Chardonnay for Steele.
What is your favorite food/wine combination?
Steve likes pinot noir and pasta. Ned likes fresh wild duck with wild rice and Syrah.