Jim Pratt’s (Cornerstone Certified Vineyards) been working as a wine grape grower of the stars for nearly 30 years, which also includes being a veteran of the grapevine nursery business. In 1995, Jim Pratt bought what he would later call the “Pratt Vineyard,” after a career working with Rich Kunde at Sonoma Grapevines (a Santa Rosa-based nursery no longer in business). Today, in addition to his own vineyard, he owns, leases, or manages over 200 acres of six grape varieties (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Dolcetto,) in the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast AVAs. His grapes go in Imagery Viognier and MacPhail Pinot Noir. What he’s growing:
- Chardonnay (selections 2, 4, 5, 15, 75, 77, 78, 95, 277)
- Viognier (selection 1)
- Dolcetto (selections 1, 69, 275 )
- Merlot (selections 3, 181, 343, 348)
- Pinot Noir (selections 2A, Pommard 4 and 5, 9, 23, 113, 114, 115, 777, 828, Calera, Swan, Mt. Eden)
According to wine writer Virginie Boone, in a story she wrote for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat in 2010, “And so it went through the years, with Pratt becoming one of the more sought-after vineyard managers and growers.”
Today, Cornerstone Certified Vineyard, owned and operated by Jim Pratt, offers clients his vineyard management services, rootstock and budwood cuttings, and wine grape sales. In addition to vineyard management, Pratt also helps with vineyard installation, consults with vineyard owners on their own sites regarding existing or future vineyard plantings. Jim is known and highly respected for practicing meticulous management and is in close communications with his clients and wineries, while managing world class wine grapes. Clients’ vineyards range from two acres to 40 acres.
Pratt and his crew manage vineyards, whose wine grapes go to the following wines:
| Girard Inman Family Wines Siduri Sequona Piper Sonoma Halleck Truett and Hurst |
Peter Michael Aubert Chasseur Orogeny MacPhail Family Wines DeLoach River Road Family Vineyards and Winery |
His farming philosophy is to give to the customer the best product possible; respect his crew and neighbors; and to remember that his vineyard is a reflection of who he is. (An avid diver, Jim’s favorite wine and food pairing is Pinot Noir and abalone. On the philanthropic side, he enjoys donating the fruits of his diving labor to different charitable auctions.)
In the past, Jim has worked on the SRJC Ag Trust, and had the privilege of being the chairman for the 2005 fundraiser, the AgStravanganza. The event raised over $500,000 for the SRJC Shone Farm and the Warren G. Dutton, Jr. Ag Pavilion.
Jo, what a grand neighbor to have!