Bricoleur Vineyards is redefining what a Sonoma County winery visit looks like. Learn what sets it apart before you go.
Bricoleur Vineyards is a 42-acre family estate in Windsor, Sonoma County, nestled within the Russian River Valley appellation. Founded in 2015 and producing wines since 2017, it has grown into an example of a genuinely different vision for what a modern winery can be.
A Modern Wine Country Destination in The Heart of Russian River Valley
A visit to Bricoleur Vineyards moves through the land, the kitchen and the wines in a way that’s anything but accidental. The wine-and-fine-focused culinary program is central to how the estate operates, weaving seasonal ingredients grown on-property into every aspect of a visit. Set within easy reach of greater Sonoma County wine country, Bricoleur Vineyards works well as an anchor for a longer trip or a full destination on its own.
The national press has taken notice. The estate has been named by USA Today among its 10 Best New Wineries, has drawn celebrated coverage from Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast and Forbes and was featured on the NBC TODAY Show. Recognition across both trade and consumer press at that level is uncommon for an estate that’s been producing its wines for less than a decade.
The Story Behind The Bricoleur Vineyards Estate
Bricoleur Vineyards was co-founded by Sarah Citron, and the family roots of the business show in how it operates. Before returning to Sonoma County to launch the estate, Sarah spent six years in digital commerce with Tory Burch and Theory in New York. Her background in fashion and design has directly shaped the brand’s hospitality sensibility, right down to how spaces feel and how a visit flows.
Today, the estate is led by two women, with CFO Frances Spangler alongside Citron as CEO. Women in leadership remain a rarity in the wine industry, and this pairing brings complementary strengths to an already dynamic business. “As two women leading this estate together, we’re proud to be shaping a business that reflects both innovation and heart,” Spangler has said.
The family’s connection to winemaking spans five generations. Sarah’s great-great-grandfather Pietro Carlo Rossi trained as a chemist in Piemonte, Italy, before becoming the original oenologist at Sonoma County’s historic Italian Swiss Colony in the 1880s. Continuing that lineage is what gives meaning to the phrase “next-generation wine.” What Bricoleur Vineyards is building now is firmly rooted in a respect for a distinguished heritage with a decisively innovative vision for growing that legacy.
What Makes The Wine Here Worth The Trip
At the 2025 Sunset International Wine Competition, Bricoleur Vineyards’ Kick Ranch Viognier and Cabernet Sauvignon both earned Best in Class, scoring 98 and 97 points, respectively. Scores like those in a competitive field aren’t routine.
The portfolio spans Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, sparkling wines and Cabernet Sauvignon. What makes the range notable is how seriously the estate pursues both ends of that spectrum. Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth specifically called out Bricoleur as one of the rare producers that excels at both Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Winemaker Tom Pierson tends the land with close attention to the soil, the seasons and the interconnected systems that make Sonoma County’s terroir so compelling. The wines reflect that care in ways that show up in the glass.
Experiences Beyond The Tasting Room
A visit to Bricoleur Vineyards is one to be remembered. Impressive culinary programs anchor the experience, with estate-to-plate menus that shift with the season and source directly from what is growing on the property. Multi-course options are available for guests who want something immersive, and the kitchen’s philosophy of sourcing close to home gives the food a specificity that sets it apart from most wine country destinations. Farming classes with Estate Farmer Mikey de Paolo and wellness experiences round out the calendar, allowing guests to engage with the land first-hand.
Guests with non-alcoholic preferences have always had a place at Bricoleur Vineyards. The estate’s house-made non-alcoholic offerings have been included by design from the very beginning, including seasonal kombucha crafted from estate-grown flowers and fruit. This means everyone in a group can fully participate in the experience.
Families are welcome here too, and the elevated gifting programs make Bricoleur Vineyards a natural choice for occasions that call for something more thoughtful than a standard wine purchase. “At Bricoleur, we’ve always believed wine is more than what’s in the glass,” Citron says. “It’s about creating moments, traditions and connection.”
The Sustainable Farming Philosophy Behind Every Glass
Every growing decision on this property reflects a commitment to working with the land rather than around it. Rotating crops, olive trees, culinary gardens, a honey operation and a careful approach to soil health are all part of how the estate sustains itself across seasons and vintages.
The top scores on the Kick Ranch Viognier and Cabernet Sauvignon aren’t incidental to any of this. Estate-grown fruit tended with real intention over years of consistent practice is what produces wines that earn Best in Class recognition.
Beyond the vineyard, the estate’s purpose-driven ethos extends into the community through the Sip with Purpose philanthropic campaign. Centered on the Isla Rose wine, named for Sarah Citron’s daughter, the campaign reflects Sarah’s own experience as a cancer survivor. Bricoleur Vineyards has raised over $100,000 for cancer research through this ongoing effort, and giving back is woven into the business’s year-round operations.
Planning Your Visit
Few wine country destinations bring together wine quality, a comprehensive culinary program, sustainable farming and true inclusivity—for families and those who don’t drink—in the way Bricoleur Vineyards does. Whether the occasion is a day trip, a celebration or a longer stay on the estate, the experience has been built with care at every level.
