Rooted in Quality, Crafted for What’s Next
Founded in 1985, Decoy is known for producing attractively priced wines crafted from exceptional vineyard sources, including its own estate vineyards in Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley. Guided by acclaimed winemaker Dana Epperson, Decoy brings expertise across multiple varieties and California regions.
A History
Shaped by Possibility
Decoy’s evolution is marked by intentional growth, from its earliest vineyard partnerships to the expansion of its portfolio and estate vineyards. Each milestone represents a deliberate focus on quality and consistency. Together, these moments trace the path that continues to define Decoy today.
1985
Decoy is founded with a focus on sourcing exceptional fruit from across California, setting the foundation for wines defined by quality, value and versatility across varietals.
2007
Decoy introduces a new label inspired by a 1930s Pintail carving by renowned Pacific Coast decoy carver Richard “Fresh-Air Dick” Janson, bringing a recognizable, more premium expression to the brand’s visual identity.
2008
Decoy evolves into a standalone winery, expanding beyond its original Red Blend to include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir sourced from estate vineyards and top independent growers.
2009
Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc join the Decoy portfolio, marking the brand’s expansion into premium white wines.
2012
Decoy acquires Ridgeline Vineyard in Alexander Valley, a dramatic mountainside site whose high elevations and rugged terrain provide the backbone for Decoy’s Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Red Blend.
2013
We acquire another spectacular Alexander Valley Estate property, the Brownell Vineyard. Offering an ideal counterpoint to the mountain fruit of Ridgeline, Brownell is a beautiful valley-floor vineyard with ancient gravel and sand alluvial soils. In this warm mid-valley location, the fruit gets beautifully ripe, adding richness and depth to our Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon.
2014
To support the phenomenal success of our expanded lineup of Decoy wines, we acquire a state-of-the-art winemaking facility in Hopland. Located just north of Sonoma County, our Hopland Winery is a winemaker’s dream that enables our talented winemaking team to have an unprecedented level of control over every aspect of our luxury winemaking processes.
2020
Decoy Limited is introduced, showcasing limited-production wines sourced from some of California’s most acclaimed vineyard sites, including Alexander Valley, Paso Robles and Sonoma Coast.
Explore Our Wines
The portfolio spans Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and more. In 2020, Decoy unveiled Decoy Limited, showcasing limited-production wines from premier California appellations. Building on that momentum, Decoy Featherweight was launched in 2024, crafted for a lighter, more modern style of enjoyment.
Defined by California’s landscape, from rugged slopes to river-fed soils
Decoy’s wines are shaped by a thoughtful balance of estate vineyards and established grower partnerships across California. Though estate Alexander Valley vineyards remain important touchstones, offering mountain-driven structure and valley-floor richness, Decoy’s winemaking philosophy centers on blending fruit from diverse sites throughout the state to create wines that are expressive, consistent and approachable, year after year.
our vineyards
Decoy’s wines are shaped by two exceptional Alexander Valley vineyard sites, each prized for its distinctive terroir. Perched high in the Mayacamas range, Ridgeline Vineyard delivers low yields and concentrated, structured fruit thanks to steep slopes, mineral-rich soils and cooling coastal fog, while Brownell Vineyard, set beside the Russian River near Geyserville, produces expressive, fruit-driven Cabernet Sauvignon.