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In this episode of The Good Stuff presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk to Anne Moller-Racke, Winegrower & Proprietor, and Hannah Gropman, Estate Director of Blue Farm Wines.

Anne Moller-Racke, a native of Oberwesel, Germany, moved to California in 1981 and began her viticultural career at Buena Vista Carneros Winery in 1983 as vineyard manager. By 1997, she had risen to Vice President of Vineyard Operations, playing a key role in establishing the Carneros Wine Alliance and securing Carneros’ recognition as an American Viticultural Area (AVA).

In 1999, Anne purchased a Farmhouse property in southwest Sonoma that included a historical Victorian house, now her home, and a 10 acre parcel that she planted to vine the following year. During that same time Anne founded the Donum Estate and built the reputation of being one of California’s leading Pinot Noir producers.

In 2019, after nearly two decades of leadership at Donum Estate, Anne shifted her focus to Blue Farm Wines. She expanded Blue Farm from her Estate Anne Katherina Vineyard to include some of the most respected vineyards in Sonoma County. With over three decades of experience farming California’s most celebrated vineyards, Anne continues to apply her deep viticultural knowledge and passion for producing exceptional wines through Blue Farm.

Hannah was born and raised in the town of Sonoma and grew up on the Blue Farm property. Having been exposed to the wine industry and hospitality her whole life, it always seemed like a plausible career, however, it wasn’t until the end of university that she decided to take the leap. After completing her undergraduate degree in Communication at Santa Clara University, she completed WSET courses and worked on the viticulture side of harvest at Hudson Ranch before returning to Blue Farm to work for the family business.

Blue Farm Wines: Founded in 2001 by viticulturist Anne Moller-Racke, Blue Farm Wines is a Sonoma-based winery that produces small-lot, single-vineyard wines with a focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The story of Blue Farm began when Anne planted seven acres of Pinot Noir behind her historic Victorian farmhouse in Sonoma, California. With a keen eye for detail, she designed the vineyard to produce one complete wine, blended from four distinct clones.

Today, Blue Farm has expanded its vineyards across multiple regions, including Sonoma Valley, the Russian River, and the Sonoma Coast. With five distinct vineyard sites, Blue Farm wines capture the unique terroir of these regions, revealing exceptional discoveries in each bottle.

Blue Farm’s wines are crafted with precision and an emphasis on quality. The winery is known for producing Burgundian-style Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, often likened to the elegance of grand cru wines. Anne’s extensive background in enology and viticulture plays a crucial role in shaping the wines, with an unwavering commitment to meticulous vineyard management. From soil to bottle, Blue Farm places a strong focus on the growing process, ensuring each wine reflects the natural gifts of the land.

Through a combination of careful vineyard practices and Anne’s expertise, Blue Farm has earned a reputation for wines that embody the distinctive character of Sonoma’s diverse winegrowing regions.

And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!