3/9/2018 Navarro River

Home About Us Why FFF Program Step-by-Step Projects Certified & Enrolled Farms Events & Resources Contact Us

Back to Regional Map

NAVARRO RIVER
Navigation by Region

http://www.fishfriendlyfarming.org/otherwatersheds/navarro-river.html 1/16
3/9/2018 Navarro River

The Navarro River drains a watershed of over 200,000 acres. The Navarro River is formed by the confluence of
Rancheria, Indian, and Anderson Creeks in the Anderson Valley. The Anderson Valley extends for 25 miles in the
middle of the watershed and is named for William Anderson, one of the first white Americans to see the valley.
Redwood forest covers the western end, also called the “deep end,” of the drainage, grading eastward into drier oak
woodland, chaparral, and grassland.

By 1852 a series of small settlements dotted the valley, each with its own church, store, and school. The first logging
mill was built in 1857 on the Navarro River. Harvest of tan oaks was also an early occupation. Sheep and cattle
ranching were widespread, reaching 75,000 sheep and 20,000 cattle by 1880. Apples did very well in Anderson
Valley and by the 1940s over 60 apple driers were operating. Vineyards were first planted by Italian immigrants in
the Greenwood area, but with Prohibition and a series of extreme frosts, most vineyards were wiped out by the
1940s.

The largest change to the Navarro River drainage occurred with the timber boom of the 1950s. Rapid population
growth in California spurred the clear-cutting of most of the forests in the area. Over 50 mills were operating and
quickly liquidated the forest into building products, leaving a significant legacy of eroding roads, landslides, and
silted streams. After 1973, logging operations became subject to more regulation and resulted in far lower
environmental impacts.

Vineyards were planted once again in the 1960s. Husch Vineyards, the first modern winery, was established in 1971.
The 1980s saw further expansion of wineries and vineyards on former sheep and cattle ranches, apple orchards,
and forestry lands. For more information, contact Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association (www.avwines.com)
and Yorkville Highlands Growers and Vintners Association (www.yorkvillehighlands.org).

The many small settlements grew into four major towns:

The first town of Yorkville was washed away in the flood of 1937. The new and current town of Yorkville was
built three miles to the south.

Yorkville Hotel and stage stop in 1860

Boonville was once called “The Corners,” located at the intersection of Ukiah Road (now Highway 253) and
McDonald to the Sea Road (now Highway 128). Boonville is the largest town in the watershed.

http://www.fishfriendlyfarming.org/otherwatersheds/navarro-river.html 2/16
3/9/2018 Navarro River

Anderson Valley and Boonville in the 1800s.

Philo was founded and named by Cornelius Prather, who also became the town’s first postmaster.
The town of Navarro had a timber mill and from 1905 to 1937 was the terminus of the logging railroad from
Albion

http://www.fishfriendlyfarming.org/otherwatersheds/navarro-river.html 3/16
3/9/2018 Navarro River

First growth redwood

Early logging

Tan bark harvest for leather tanneries in San Francisco Early logging railroad

http://www.fishfriendlyfarming.org/otherwatersheds/navarro-river.html 4/16
3/9/2018 Navarro River

Sheep

Tractor logging of the 1940s and 1950s

Certified Sites:

Cakebread Cellars – Anderson Valley

Husch Vineyards
Goldeneye Winery – Confluence Vineyard
Meyer Family Cellars
Navarro Vineyards
Raye’s Hill Vineyard and Winery
Ridley Vineyard
Roederer Estate Vineyards – Dash Pinoli Vineyard and Walraven Vineyard
Schramsberg Vineyards – Juster Vineyard

Enrolled Sites:

Brutocao Cellars – Philo Ranch

Christine Woods Vineyard
http://www.fishfriendlyfarming.org/otherwatersheds/navarro-river.html 5/16
3/9/2018 Navarro River
Elke Vineyards – Donnelly Creek Ranch, Witherell Creek Ranch
Ferrington Vineyard
Goldeneye Winery – River Rest Vineyard, Abel Vineyard, Gowan Creek Vineyard, The Narrows
Vineyard
Husch Vineyards – Nash Mill Vineyard
Lazy Creek Vineyard
Meyer Vineyard
Roederer Estate Vineyards – Carney Vineyard, Scharffenberger Cellars, Perkins Clark Ranch
Yorkville Vineyard and Cellars

Certified:
Cakebread Cellars – Anderson Valley
This 62 acre site borders Anderson Creek. Owner Bruce Cakebread has revegetated the entire riparian corridor by
planting white alder, Oregon ash, valley oak, black oak, and box elder. See also other Cakebread sites in the Napa
River watershed. Visit www.cakebread.com.

<Back To Top

Husch Vineyards and Winery

Husch Vineyards was the first winery in Anderson Valley and has vineyards planted in the 1970s on the 23-acre
home ranch. Third generation owners Zac Robinson and Amanda Robinson Holstine protect all areas of the
vineyard with cover crops and no-till practices. Mill Creek and Lazy Creek form the borders of the property and have
well-vegetated riparian corridors. Other sites include Nash Mill Vineyard. Visit www.huschvineyards.com.

http://www.fishfriendlyfarming.org/otherwatersheds/navarro-river.html 6/16
3/9/2018 Navarro River

Navarro River

<Back To Top

Goldeneye Winery – Confluence Vineyard

Named for the confluence of Anderson Creek and Rancheria Creek, which with Indian Creek form the Navarro River,
the 53-acre vineyard surrounds the Goldeneye tasting room in Boonville. No-till practices, combined with sediment
catchment basins, protect water quality. Other sites: Gowan Creek, Abel, The Narrows, and River Rest. Visit
www.goldeneyewinery.com.

Navarro River
http://www.fishfriendlyfarming.org/otherwatersheds/navarro-river.html 7/16
3/9/2018 Navarro River
<Back To Top

Meyer Family Cellars

This winery borders Rancheria Creek. In 2005, owners Matt and Karen Meyer completed a 2500 ft. native plant
revegetation project on Rancheria Creek to remove invasive non-native plants and install riparian trees and increase
shade canopy for fish habitat. Big-leaf maple, white alder, Oregon ash, California bay laurel, and willow were all
planted. Visit www.meyerfamilycellars.com.

<Back To Top

Navarro Vineyards and Winery

This 942-acre site was the first property to be certified in the Fish Friendly Farming Program in 2002. The 90 acres
of vineyards are in separately fenced areas to allow wildlife such as mountain lions and deer to use over 800 acres
of wildland on the property. Ted Bennett and Deborah Cahn founded the winery in 1973 and have planted hundreds
of redwood and Douglas fir trees on the ranch. In 2008, a road outsloping project was completed to reduce sediment
delivery to creeks. Navarro has received an award from the Fish Friendly Farming program for Light Touch Vineyard
Development and Operation. Other sites include: Pennyroyal Farm. Visit www.navarrowine.com.

Navarro Vineyards

<Back To Top

Raye’s Hill Vineyard and Winery

Raye and Dan Sokolow manage two acres of vineyard on a 20-acre ridge top property, using no-till methods. Visit
www.rayeshill.com.

http://www.fishfriendlyfarming.org/otherwatersheds/navarro-river.html 8/16
3/9/2018 Navarro River

The view from the hills above Anderson Valley

<Back To Top

Ridley Vineyard
This small 4-acre vineyard uses integrated pest management and low-volume water irrigation.

<Back To Top

Roederer Estate Vineyards—Dash Pinoli Vineyard and Walraven Vineyard

Roederer Estate Vineyards was established in Anderson Valley in 1982 by Champagne Louis Roederer building on
a 200-year French tradition. Roederer Estate manages a number of vineyard properties in the Anderson Valley.
Vineyard manager Bill Gibson manages these sites with no-till practices to protect soil from erosion and to protect
water quality. The 61-acre Walraven Vineyard borders Graveyard Creek, which has been planted with native oaks to
improve wildlife habitat. The Pinoli family began buying property and planting grapes in 1911. The 120-acre Dash
Pinoli Vineyard is one of the original ranches but has since been modernized and replanted. In 2007 Roederer
received the Award Recognizing Excellence in Water Quality Improvement and Protection from FFF. Visit
www.roedererestate.com.

Anderson Valley

<Back To Top

http://www.fishfriendlyfarming.org/otherwatersheds/navarro-river.html 9/16
3/9/2018 Navarro River

Schramsberg Vineyards – Juster Vineyard

Bordered by redwood forest and the Navarro River, this 62-acre former Christmas tree farm contains 25 acres of
vineyard. It is managed with no-till practices and organic growing methods to protect water quality and wildlife
habitat. Also see Schramsberg in the Napa River watershed. Visit www.schramsberg.com.

<Back To Top

Enrolled Sites
Brutocao Cellars – Philo Ranch
This 11-acre vineyard is managed with no-till practices and integrated pest management to protect water quality in
the nearby Navarro River. Other sites include Bliss Ranch in the Hopland-Sanel Valley. Visit
www.brutocaocellars.com.

<Back To Top

Elke Vineyards – Donnelly Creek Vineyard

This 80-acre site sits between Donnelly and Anderson Creeks. The owner, Mary Elke, repaired an eroded bank on
Anderson Creek by installing dormant willow sprigs. The vineyard is managed to conserve soil and protect the water
quality of the two creeks.

http://www.fishfriendlyfarming.org/otherwatersheds/navarro-river.html 10/16
3/9/2018 Navarro River

Anderson Creek

<Back To Top

Witherell Creek Orchard

This organic apple orchard borders Witherell Creek and was purchased in 1980 by the Elkes. Visit
www.elkevineyards.com.

<Back To Top

Ferrington Vineyard
The 66-acre Ferrington Vineyard sits on uplands between the north and south forks of Donnelly Creek on a 165-acre
ranch. Cattle and sheep grazing are still practiced on the hilly area of the ranch. The farm plan calls for removal of
invasive plants and revegetation of the creek corridor with native plants over time.

http://www.fishfriendlyfarming.org/otherwatersheds/navarro-river.html 11/16
3/9/2018 Navarro River

<Back To Top

Goldeneye Winery – River Rest Vineyard, Abel Vineyard, Gowan Creek Vineyard, The Narrows Vineyard
Gowan Creek Ranch is an 80-acre site in central Anderson Valley. Goldeneye Winery converted the property from a
thoroughbred horse ranch into a winery and a 38-acre vineyard, bisected by Gowan Creek. The vineyard is
managed with sustainable farming practices, including hosting a flock of sheep in the winter as an effective organic
alternative to herbicides and fertilizers, while reducing soil compaction and erosion.

Rivers Rest Ranch is a 120-acre site along the Navarro River. The 70-acre vineyard is managed for Goldeneye
Winery by Nathan Miller, using cover crops on every other row to conserve soil and water.

Able Ranch is a 15-acre vineyard planted in 1999 on a 20-acre site in the Anderson Valley using cover crops on
every other row to conserve water.

The Narrows Ranch, formerly Floodgate Vineyard, is a 202-acre site with 52 acres of ridge top vineyards in the
cooler northern end of the Anderson Valley. Repairs of roads and drainage at the site has been done to address
previous land uses, including redwood logging, and to protect the waters of Floodgate Creek, a tributary to the
Navarro River.

http://www.fishfriendlyfarming.org/otherwatersheds/navarro-river.html 12/16
3/9/2018 Navarro River

<Back To Top

Husch Vineyards – Nash Mill Vineyard

This small vineyard borders Mill Creek where a saw mill once operated. Nash Mill Vineyard is a small 4-acre
vineyard nestled in a forested 40-acre site on Mill Creek, north of Whipple Ridge at the edge of Anderson Valley.
Zac Robinson manages this vineyard using no-till methods and cover crops to protect water quality in Mill Creek.
Visit www.huschvineyards.com.

<Back To Top

Lazy Creek Vineyard

This site encompasses 40 acres of organically farmed vineyards, originally planted in 1973 on a 90-acre ranch north
of Philo and south of Hendy Woods in the northern end of Anderson Valley. The land was tended by a family who
farmed it organically since 1999, managing the land to conserve water and prevent soil erosion. Recently it has
come under the management of Ferrari -Carano.

http://www.fishfriendlyfarming.org/otherwatersheds/navarro-river.html 13/16
3/9/2018 Navarro River

<Back To Top

Meyer Vineyard
Bill Meyer manages this 2-acre vineyard with cover crops to conserve soil.

Anderson Valley

<Back To Top

Roederer Estate Vineyards – Scharffenberger Cellars, Carney Vineyard, Perkins Clark Ranch
The Scharffenberger Cellars and Winery is a 349-acre site including 121 acres of vineyards and a winery. Several
wetlands and stream corridors were protected as part of the vineyard development on this former sheep ranch.

The 80-acre Carney Vineyard was developed in 1971 on a former sheep ranch. The vineyards are managed with
cover crops and no-till methods to conserve soil and protect water quality in the un-named creek which bisects the
vineyards and flows into the Navarro River.

Roederer’s Perkins-Clark Ranch is a 334-acre site near Lazy Creek in the Anderson Valley. Roederer Estates’
winery is situated in the midst of 209 acres of carefully tended vineyards. The vineyards use a special "open lyre"

http://www.fishfriendlyfarming.org/otherwatersheds/navarro-river.html 14/16
3/9/2018 Navarro River
trellis system on moveable wires, providing increased exposure to sunlight. Bob Gibson has managed the vineyard
since 1985 with attention to sustainability with alternate no-till rows and delayed pruning.

Native vegetation borders vineyard at Scharffenberger Cellars

<Back To Top

Yorkville Cellars
Yorkville Cellars is located in the headwaters of Rancheria Creek, a major tributary of the Navarro River. The 30
acres of vineyard are farmed using organic methods. Owners Deborah and Edward Wallo use miniature Babydoll
Southdown sheep rather than herbicides to eat weeds in the vineyard. Visit www.yorkvillecellars.com.

Sheep trim weeds in Yorkville Cellars vineyards

Check back for more information

<Back To Top

Home | About Us | Why FFF? | Program | Projects | Certified and Enrolled Farms | Events & Resources | Contact
Us
http://www.fishfriendlyfarming.org/otherwatersheds/navarro-river.html 15/16
3/9/2018 Navarro River
Fish Friendly Farming Copyright © 2009 Laurel Marcus/CLSI

site design: www.luckydogarts.com

http://www.fishfriendlyfarming.org/otherwatersheds/navarro-river.html 16/16