Will Bucklin

In the heart of California’s wine country, amidst the rolling hills and fertile soils of Sonoma Valley, stands a winemaker whose philosophy is rooted deeply in the soil he tends. Will Bucklin, a name synonymous with excellence and minimalism in the winemaking world, is not just a vintner; he is a steward of the land and a craftsman who believes in letting the terroir speak through his wines. His journey, which began at the prestigious Château Lafite Rothschild in 1986, has seen him evolve into the custodian of Bucklin Old Hill Ranch, a winery renowned for its adherence to organic principles and its rich, terroir-driven wines.

Will’s winemaking ethos is encapsulated in his belief that “healthy, well-grown grapes are predisposed to becoming wine,” a philosophy that sets him apart in an industry where intervention is often the norm. His approach is grounded in the Albrecht Method, a holistic perspective on viticulture that asserts a direct connection between soil health, human health, and the quality of the final product. For Will, the vineyard is a living system where every element, from the soil to the vine, must be nurtured and respected.

At Bucklin Old Hill Ranch, Will practices what he preaches. His minimal intervention winemaking techniques are a testament to his respect for the natural process. He eschews the common trend of heavy-handed winemaking in favor of a more refined, hands-off approach. Additions are sparing and deliberate—water to balance the sweetness of the grapes, tartaric acid to manage acidity during hotter years, and sulfur dioxide in minimal quantities to prevent oxidation. This disciplined restraint is not just a practice but a homage to the authenticity of the vineyard’s unique terroir.

Under Will’s watchful eye, Bucklin Old Hill Ranch has flourished, producing wines that are a true expression of place. The vineyard, with its ancient vines and varied terroir, presents a palette of flavors and nuances that Will skillfully translates into the bottle. The result is wines of unparalleled complexity and depth, each sip a narrative of the land’s history, the season’s climate, and the winemaker’s artistry.

Will’s journey from the storied cellars of Château Lafite Rothschild to the historic Old Hill Ranch has been one of continuous learning and adaptation. His time in the Old World endowed him with a profound respect for tradition and an understanding of the delicate balance between the vine and its environment. Bringing this knowledge to the New World, Will has embraced innovation, melding time-honored techniques with sustainable practices to forge a path that is uniquely his own.

The acclaim that Will Bucklin has garnered over the years is a reflection of his commitment to his craft. His wines are not just beverages; they are stories told in the universal language of flavor, aroma, and texture. Each bottle is a testament to the power of minimal intervention, a proof that the best wines are not created but born from the soil and nurtured to their fullest expression by a thoughtful and respectful hand.

In the end, Will Bucklin’s legacy is not just the wines he has crafted but the philosophy he espouses. In a world increasingly disconnected from nature, his approach is a reminder of the virtues of patience, respect, and harmony with the land. As the custodian of Bucklin Old Hill Ranch, Will continues to inspire, his wines a clarion call to those who seek purity, authenticity, and the true essence of terroir in their glass.