Ty Caton Vineyards

Ty Caton is possibly the most mispronounced winery in the Sonoma Valley. Founded in 2000 and pronounced , the winery produces an array of red wines, and one Rose, that are not only reasonably-priced, but pretty darned tasty as well. Owner and winemaker Ty Caton is a 36-year old native Sonoman. He attended CSU Sacramento, and after a brief stint in the real estate business, he returned to Sonoma to establish his winery on a piece of land his family purchased at the top of Mountain Avenue. Prior to that, this land had been a campground for the San Francisco Boys and Girls Club and the Boy Scouts.

Caton is quick to point out that he developed the Mountain Avenue vineyard, which is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Sirah, and a few rows of Malbec. “I built the vineyard, dug the holes and planted it myself,” he says. “I did a ton of research, and talked to a lot of people. I have a love for this land, and I’m really proud of that.” Caton went into partnership with his parents in the mid-1990s, when he put in the vineyards. The ranch has over 300 feet of elevation change, a variety of soils and most distinctly, it backs up to the famed Monterosso Vineyard. Monterosso is arguably where the Sonoma Valley’s greatest Cabernets come from.

The Ty Caton 2004 Syrah, Sonoma Valley “Caton Vineyard” is distinctive and multi-layered. It shows some fascinating characteristics, layers of flavors and a healthy dollop of oak. Interesting aromas of bacon, lamb stock, tobacco and ripe berry lead to splashy round flavors of black fruit and plum. The rich mid-palate tapers off with spice and earthy notes. This wine is bold, expressive and balanced, and may benefit from a couple of years in the cellar.

Reviewed July 18, 2007 by Bradley Gray.

Other Awards & Accolades

Gold Medal - 2008 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Gold Medal - 2007 Sonoma County Harvest Fair