Goodbye Yoakim Bridge

Sadly for me, Dave and Virginia Cooper retired from their Yoakim Bridge Winery last spring.
It wasn't a surprise to me. Dave is only a couple of years younger than I am, and he's had shoulder problems in the last couple of years, probably caused by punching down the must.
But I'll miss his Zinfandel grown from 1924 dry-farmed, head-pruned vines on his property. He also made fine Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, all from Dry Creek Valley.
I was a loyal member of their wine club for a decade or so. Interesting people with interesting stories.

[David M. Bueker]

Did they fold the winery, or just sell it?

[Jenise]

Too bad. I've had some other people's wines from this property in blind tastings over the last three decades, and they always showed well. So well that I never forgot the name.

They sold the property and the name to Williamson Wines in Healdsburg.
I'm not a fan of Williamson's style of winemaking. So far, they're shipping bottles out of Dave's stock. I'll have to see what they do with the estate old vines when this year's harvest comes in. They say they're keeping the brand; maybe they'll keep the fruit separated from their usual mishmash.