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Dehlinger

Dehlinger Winery is one of the Russian River Valley's founding Pinot Noir and Syrah estates, established by Tom Dehlinger in 1975 on a small farm in Sebastopol's cool, fog-influenced southern Russian River. The estate farms approximately 24 acres of estate vineyards on Goldridge sandy loam soils, producing small-lot Pinot Noir from multiple blocks (Goldridge, Octagon, Altamont, Frei Road) and estate Syrah that is among the finest in California. The Goldridge Pinot Noir, from the estate's oldest vines on the characteristic sandy loam soils of the AVA, is the most widely recognised, earning consistent 92–95-point scores and serving as the benchmark for the estate's style. The Altamont Syrah and Goldridge Estate Syrah represent a different dimension: cool-climate Syrah grown in a region not typically associated with the grape, producing wines of Northern Rhône-like mineral character rather than warm-climate ripeness. With 533 lots averaging $43 per bottle, Dehlinger trades at remarkably accessible pricing for a founding Russian River Valley estate with 50-year-old vines and consistent high-90s scores. Winemaker Tom Dehlinger retired and the estate is now operated by his son Michael, maintaining the same philosophy of low-yield, estate-only, minimal-intervention winemaking that made the original reputation.

Dehlinger was established in 1975 in Sebastopol's Russian River Valley, making it one of the AVA's founding estates with nearly 50 years of continuous Pinot Noir and Syrah production from the same estate blocks.
The cool-climate Altamont and Goldridge Estate Syrabs show Northern Rhône mineral character — iron, white pepper, olive — rather than warm-climate richness, a style rarely achieved in California Syrah production.
Goldridge Pinot Noir, from sandy loam soils that define the Russian River AVA, earns 92–95 points consistently — the same critical range as Williams Selyem or Kosta Browne but trading at a fraction of their prices.
533 lots average just $43 per bottle — extraordinary value for a founding AVA estate with nearly 50 years of viticulture history, estate-only sourcing, and consistent 90–95-point critical reception.

Auction Lots

682

Avg Price / Bottle

$46

Top Vintage

2013

Price Range

$1 – $308

In the Glass

Cool Russian River Valley estate Pinot Noir and Syrah: Goldridge Pinot delivers concentrated red cherry, cranberry, pomegranate, and forest floor with firm acidity and fine sandy tannins from the loam soils. Octagon and Altamont Pinots show additional complexity from block differences. The Syrabs are the revelation — cool-climate, iron-mineral, white pepper, and violet with Northern Rhône energy. Estate Cabernet Sauvignon adds a darker, more structured dimension.

Portfolio

WineColourAvg PriceLots SoldTop Vintage
ChardonnayWhite$493102013
Pinot Noir GoldridgeRed$41692021
Pinot NoirRed$50512007
Goldridge Estate SyrahRed$41512003
Altamont SyrahRed$37452014
Pinot Noir OctagonRed$43381993
Altamont Pinot NoirRed$45312014
Estate Cabernet SauvignonRed$46262013
Frei Road SyrahRed$33222013
Champ de Mars Pinot NoirRed$63192014
ClaretRed$38122011
East Face SyrahRed$2882005

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Dehlinger is based in the California wine region.

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