VML Winery

VML Winery opened in April, 2011 as a partnership between the winery namesake and winemaker, Virginia Marie Lambrix, and Bill Hambrecht and his grandson, Woody Hambrecht, Phil Hurst, Mark De Mewulenaere and Paul and Heath Dolan. The focus will be on Russian River Valley appellation and single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from sustainable, organic and biodynamic vineyards under the VML label and the winery's value brand, Healdsburg Ranches.

Virginia Marie "Ginny" Lambrix received her education at University of California Davis, later interning at Lynmar Estate. She went on to work under head winemaker Greg La Follette at De Loach Vineyards as director of winegrowing. After meeting fourth-generation winemaker and biodynamic pioneer Paul Dolan, she became winemaker for his Truett Hurst label. She works closely with Heath Dolan, who manages the company's Truett Hurst vineyards, and Woody Hambrecht, who oversees the Hambrecht's Floodgate Vineyard in the Russian River Valley and Bradford Mountain in Dry Creek Valley.

VML Winery is at the site on Westside Road of the former Beleveder and later, C. Donatiello wineries.

The VML label tells a whimsical story of the woman winemaker as sorceress, blending natural elements through images resplendent with life forms in a utopian backdrop. The label appears to move with all manner of insects, flowers, and even human kind, all in sync with an astronomical sowing and planting calendar. The horizontal placement on the bottle is unique.

The "Russian River Valley" series will be sourced from multiple vineyards including the Hambrecht-owned Floodgate Vineyard in the Middle Reach. The wines for the 2010 vintage will be priced at $25-$30. The "Single Vineyard Series" will be initially only offered in the tasting room. These will be bigger, more full-flavored wines sourced from acclaimed vineyards such as Boudreaux in Sebastopol, and Ivywood and Swicegood in the Green Valley region of the Russian River Valley.

A tasting room is open daily.