Decanter’s Clive Pursehouse published a story highlighting Montecillo Vineyard and the wines of the Moon Mountain District AVA, including Far Mountain. Pursehouse suggests wines from these high-elevation sites are producing “some of the country’s most exciting modern Cabernets, a throwback to a fresher, balanced style.”

Far Mountain Winemaker and Owner Rodrigo Soto is quoted several times throughout the story about why this land is so unique.

He explained, ‘The property was planted by old timers.’ says Rodrigo Soto. ‘They followed a pattern that you do not see anymore, planting using the contours of the hill, which gives you diversity in the same row. In my opinion this gives natural complexity to the wines as the vines adapt as the aspect changes in the hillside.’

‘These old timers really knew what they were doing. They were better connected with nature than we are today. That is why Moon Mountain and Montecillo are so special and so unique. It has the rusticity of the mountain character amplified by the vines’ high adaptability to the place where they live. The vines truly mirror the environment where they live; when they are happy, they thrive. When established, they can express their individuality and sense of place.’

Read the full story HERE and see the 95pt review of Far Mountain Montecillo Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 that supplemented this story

A quick note about a dynamic and special moment for the Moon Mountain District that we recently hosted in our offices in New York. We offered our space to the Moon Mountain Grower’s Association so that they could, for the first time ever, hold a press and top trade event in New York City. Five leading Moon Mountain District producers – including Rodrigo Soto of Far Mountain – presented a seminar on the appellation, followed by a walkaround tasting of over 10 producers’ top wines. 

You could feel the electricity as all the things that make the appellation special came forward. Moon Mountain is truly one of the few terroir-defined appellations in the United States, defined geographically by its elevation, climate and geology, rather than county lines, major roads and more generic factors. You’ll see below some photos and notes from the event. You can watch and listen to the full seminar HERE

This event was a collaboration within the best producers of the region with the single purpose of presenting in depth the quality attributes of the appellation. The presentation was kicked off with Robert Kamen, a seminal figure in the appellation’s development. His journey with Moon Mountain began almost by accident: after selling his first movie script (he wrote The Karate Kid, The Fifth Element, Taps, and other well known films) he purchased 300 acres of unpaved land in Sonoma County. His chance encounter with legendary local grower Phil Coturri (also on the panel) led to a realization that the site’s unique high-elevation soils and climate could support fruit so distinctive it commanded multiples the usual price. At a time when Sonoma winemakers seldom discussed terroir, Kamen and Coturri championed these rocky slopes, laying the groundwork for an appellation defined by elevation, geology and microclimate.

You should really listen to the hilarious and compelling stories from Robert Kamen at the start of the seminar in the link above.

In 2013, a formal petition was presented to the government entities and Moon Mountain became the first Sonoma AVA to base its boundaries on quality factors—elevation (400 to 2,200 ft), specific volcanic geology, and a distinct mountain climate. Of the AVA’s 17,000 acres, less than 8% are planted, echoing the sparsely inspiration of Monte Rosso (first planted in 1880), the Moon Mountain vineyard that is one of California’s most famous (look out next year for Far Mountain’s first Monte Rosso release). The deep red soils, fractured bedrock and abundant creeks (over 63 miles of them, plus a 6,000-acre wildlife corridor) foster clean sources of water and rich biodiversity. Nearly half the vineyards are farmed organically or regeneratively, with active soils that breathe from below, nurturing deep roots and distinctive minerality. Although primarily known for Cabernet, the high-elevation pockets also produce elegant Chardonnay and even Pinot Noir.

Winemaking on Moon Mountain resembles harmony with nature and expression of site. Phil Coturri’s veteran mountain-growing techniques were echoed by all producers at the tasting emphasizing the importance of organic farming for quality purposes. The tasting started with the softly spiced, exotic-finish 2022 Hanzell Chardonnay continuing with the polished and well balanced 2022 Sojourn Monte Rosso Cabernet Sauvignon. Later a few of the more rugged offerings showed immense complexity: the hand-crafted 2022 Far Mountain Montecillo (to be released later this year) you could see tannins revealing the mountain’s signature and character; the 2021 Kamen Lava block had rich, ripe layers derived from southwest slopes; and the 2013 Repris Cabernet Franc exemplified how age releases leather and acidity while retaining plush complexity.

The event illustrated that great appellations in the world have been created in places with history, great climate and soils together with visionary people that work collectively. All those elements are aligned for The Moon Mountain District. To a great collaboration and to many more in the future.

The Drinks Business contributor Roger Morris highlighted Far Mountain and Winemaker Rodrigo Soto in his feature, “Why Winemakers Are Landing on Moon Mountain,” following a recent seminar hosted at the VINTUS office. The article explores the Moon Mountain District AVA, a rugged, high-elevation region in Sonoma County known for its volcanic soils and old-vine vineyards, which is attracting a new wave of winemakers blending tradition with innovation.

Morris emphasizes the area’s growing reputation for producing distinctive, age-worthy wines that rival those from neighboring Napa Valley. Far Mountain’s Rodrigo Soto is among the winemakers drawn to Moon Mountain’s unique terroir, noting the region’s Cabernet Sauvignons offer a structure reminiscent of Napa’s best. He adds, “I see the same criteria for excellence happening on Moon Mountain that has been happening in Napa Valley.”

Morris states Far Mountain’s 2021 ‘Fission’ Cabernet Sauvignon, from the dry-farmed Alta Vista Vineyard, delivers layers of blackcurrant, blueberry, and crushed rock with firm structure and freshness—an elegant expression of Moon Mountain’s terroir.

Soto’s focus on biodynamic farming and low-intervention methods reflects a growing movement in Moon Mountain to showcase the region’s unique character through sustainable, hands-off winemaking. Read the full story HERE

Grape Collective recently featured an in-depth Q&A with Far Mountain Winemaker & Owner Rodrigo Soto, exploring his journey from Chile to Sonoma’s Moon Mountain District and the philosophy shaping the young estate.

Soto, who launched Far Mountain in 2018 with his wife Mai Errazuriz, focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon from the rugged volcanic slopes of Moon Mountain and high-elevation Chardonnay from dry-farmed vineyards planted in the 1970s. His approach blends organic and biodynamic farming with minimal intervention winemaking, always “working with nature rather than against nature.”

Veteran viticulturist Phil Coturri calls Soto’s work “really unique,” noting: “When you taste through his wines, you’re essentially tasting a cross-section of the entire appellation. He brings out the character of each site and is one of the few winemakers who really lets the vineyard speak.”

On his vision for the Fission Cabernet Sauvignon, Soto says: “You taste the old flavors of Cabernet—a little bit of rough edges here and there, but bright acidity that makes them feel fresh and at the same time versatile.”

The high-elevation Myrna Chardonnay, grown at 1,800 feet, is equally distinctive, with salinity and tension rare in California examples. Soto describes the style as “classic” yet marked by verticality—tannins and structure in harmony with fruit, spice, and earth.

Soto’s vision is to create wines with brightness, depth, and a true sense of place—wines that connect with the land as deeply as he does.

It is a great article; read the full interview HERE.

A recent feature by Jess Lander in the SF Chronicle highlights how a group of acclaimed, artisanal wineries like Far Mountain are elevating Sonoma’s Montecillo Vineyard through their Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings, positioning the historic Moon Mountain site as an icon of California Cabernet. The article centers on a dinner where producers poured their Montecillo Cabernets, revealing the vineyard’s distinctive, high-elevation character.

Far Mountain is a proud part of the circle of notable wineries working with Montecillo fruit (others include Turley, Scribe, Arnot-Roberts), underscoring their place in exceptional company alongside both historic labels and the next generation of influential California winemakers.

The Chronicle credits vineyard owner Blair Guthrie for redefining the grower–winemaker relationship: sharing farming decisions, opening access to rising talent, and encouraging transparency rather than secrecy. As Lander notes, “all of Guthrie’s clients know who else is buying the grapes. He asks for input on the farming… all in an attempt to revive the once collaborative culture of California’s wine industry.” With old Cabernet vines planted in 1968 at 1,800 ft in the Mayacamas just steps from Napa’s border, Montecillo is producing fresh, balanced, and complex mountain Cabernet that reflects the cooler Moon Mountain climate.

A great writeup on a very special vineyard site! Check it out HERE, and below.

Far Mountain has been a deeply personal project for us, based entirely around the belief we had in the amazing founders Rodrigo Soto and Mai Errazuriz. You can imagine our sheer happiness at reading last week that Antonio Galloni has named Far Mountain his Emerging Producer to Watch in his 2025 Year in Review.

This accolade by one of the single most important journalists in wine was not one to watch for Sonoma, or California, or the United States – Far Mountain is the single producer to watch called out across the entire world of wine.

Antonio Galloni has been a champion of Moon Mountain for some time now, pointing out this small appellation’s distinct characteristics and the fantastic wines that can be produced. Later this month Rodrigo Soto of Far Mountain will participate in a Vinous Icons tasting with his upcoming release from The Nunnery vineyard, a truly exciting new vineyard planted and overseen by legendary viticulturist Phil Coturri. Love this line: “The Far Mountain 2023s are off the charts”. Amazing how far this winery has come in five years.

In the February 19, 2026 feature “Rodrigo Soto on Far Mountain’s high elevation Sonoma wines,” The Buyer spotlights Far Mountain and winemaker Rodrigo Soto, exploring how his decades of experience across Chile and California culminated in a focused, mountain-driven project in the Moon Mountain District AVA. The story traces Soto’s journey from biodynamic pioneer in Chile to co-founder of Far Mountain in 2018, a winery dedicated to high-elevation, dry-farmed Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay grown on rugged Sonoma sites.

The article touches on Soto’s early advocacy for organic and biodynamic viticulture, his leadership roles at Benziger, Veramonte, and Quintessa, and the intentional search that led him and Mai Errazuriz to Moon Mountain. It highlights Far Mountain’s commitment to old vines, dry farming, organic conversion with biodynamics as the long-term goal, and a tightly focused portfolio built on Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Soto also shares his perspective on climate adaptation, the value of altitude, and why authenticity and relationships matter more than ever in today’s fine wine market.

It is well worth reading the full feature and Soto’s thoughtful insights HERE.

Far Mountain Wines & Highlights

Myrna Chardonnay
From Bald Mountain at 550 meters elevation, planted in 1972 on volcanic soils. Dry-farmed heritage clones deliver vibrant acidity, layered texture, and a distinctive saline note that reflects its cool, rocky mountain site.

Fission Cabernet Sauvignon
Sourced from 50-year-old, non-irrigated vines at Alta Vista vineyard. Deeply rooted in fractured rock, the wine shows concentrated dark fruit, firm mountain tannins, and a mineral-driven backbone shaped by elevation and dry farming.

Wine Spectator highlighted Phil Coturri, widely regarded as the father of organic grapegrowing in California, in the story “Sonoma’s Pioneer of Organic Vineyards Passes the Torch.”

After 60 harvests in Sonoma, Coturri is stepping back from leading Enterprise Vineyards and entrusting day-to-day responsibility to the next generation, including his sons and Rodrigo Soto of Far Mountain, underscoring Soto’s role as one of the trusted stewards chosen to help carry forward Coturri’s site-driven, organic farming philosophy.

The article briefly revisits Coturri’s decades-long impact, from pioneering organic viticulture in the late 1970s to farming 600 acres across Sonoma and Napa and helping establish the Moon Mountain District AVA, now home to Far Mountain. More than a retirement story, the piece frames this moment as a meaningful generational handoff rooted in shared values of terroir, sustainability, and long-term vineyard stewardship.

You can read the full Wine Spectator story HERE

Vinous founder Antonio Galloni recently celebrated the remarkable quality of the 2023 vintage for Sonoma’s Moon Mountain District. Among the estates earning particular praise is Far Mountain, who “turned out a breathtaking set of 2023s [at] one of the most exciting new wineries in the Moon Mountain District.”

In a region defined by diverse terroirs, a range of exposures and an identity distinct from the rest of Sonoma County, Far Mountain joins a small cadre of younger wineries in Moon Mountain making “wines of tremendous character” in this unique locale. Galloni notes that the Far Mountain 2023 reds are “easily the best ever here” and urgers readers to “do whatever they can to taste these magnificent wines.”

Learn more about Moon Mountain and see Galloni’s tasting notes HERE.