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J. Rickards Winery – Hard Work makes a Dream Come True! J. Rickards Winery is a family run operation of both grape farming & wine production, and is located at the northern end of the Alexander Valley in Sonoma County. The owner, Jim Rickards, knew he wanted to be a farmer from the age of 12 years old. He grew up in the Big city of San Francisco and found that the city life didn’t quite suit his natural ways and earthy disposition. So, he set his sights on farming and after a varied past including time in the military, cattle ranching in Petaluma, a full time position as an ER Nurse at Memorial Hospital in Petaluma, and fathering three children, he decided with his free time (aka nights) he would revitalize an old vineyard…..which brings us to J. Rickards Winery. Jim and his wife Eliza have been growing grapes for the bulk market and making wine for personal enjoyment since 1991 from their 60 acre vineyard. Encouraged by family & friends, they were inspired to open a winery and did so in 2005. Increasing their production required that they bring on Alex Holeman, their current winemaker, and his specialty is light, sweet, fruity wines that maintain their varietal character. At J. Rickards they make eight great wines all of which are available for complimentary tastings. One of their specialties is ‘Zinfandel Ancestor Vines’ from their Century old Zinfandel vines. Another is their ‘Los Ninos Perdidos Red Dessert Wine’ (The Lost Children) made from grapes that have been …