Hook & Ladder Winery continues the legacy of one of Russian River Valley’s most influential wine families. Founded in 2003 by pioneering growers and vintners Cecil and Christine De Loach, and helmed today by their grandson, winemaker Jason De Loach, Hook & Ladder showcases the diversity of the appellation the family helped to define, in a portfolio of limited-production bottlings from their Russian River Valley estate vineyards.

The name Hook & Ladder pays homage to Cecil De Loach’s 17-year career as a San Francisco firefighter—a detail that adds real character to the place beyond just the wines themselves. Walking through the tasting room, you’re surrounded by the production facility and some of the Russian River Valley’s oldest vineyards, many dating back to the early 1900s. There’s something grounding about tasting in a working winery rather than a polished tasting hall, and your dog will appreciate the more casual atmosphere.

The winery sits within those historic vineyard blocks, so you get a genuine sense of the land they’re working with. Jason De Loach’s winemaking carries forward decades of family knowledge about what grows well here, and that shows in the wines. The limited-production approach means you’re tasting things you won’t find everywhere, which makes the experience feel more personal than touring a larger operation.

If you’re exploring Santa Rosa and the Russian River Valley wine country, Hook & Ladder offers a different perspective than the showier tasting rooms. You’re getting close to the actual work of winemaking and the family history that shaped the region. The setting among those old vineyards gives you time to understand why this area became so important for Pinot Noir and other cool-climate varietals. Bring your dog and plan to spend a genuine afternoon here rather than rushing through a tasting checklist.