Pride Journey Spotlight: Mark Lyon, Owner & Winemaker at Eco Terreno Wines

In 1980, Mark Lyon purchased 149-acre vineyards located at the northern end of Alexander Valley near the town of Cloverdale and upper watershed of the Russian River. Originally planted in early 1970 by Rodney Strong, the estate is famous for producing exceptional Bordeaux varietals and has some of the oldest producing Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon vines in Sonoma County.

Lyon, one of the most well-known LGBTQ winemakers in North America, is an experienced winegrower with over four decades of experience in making wines from his vineyards. Lyon received a B.S. of Fermentation Science from the University of California at Davis in 1978. The very next year he was hired by Sebastiani Vineyards to assist with production. In 1985 he was placed in charge of harvest at the winery and subsequently, the winemaking team. During this time, he focused on producing the finest wines for Sebastiani using vineyards throughout Sonoma County, including his own.

Eco Terreno Wines & Vineyards successfully transitioned to a Demeter USA certification in 2017, making them the largest biodynamically farmed contiguous vineyard in Alexander Valley. Our commitment to building biodiversity into the landscape employs extensive practices that are necessary to becoming a strong regenerative grower of grapes. As respectful and informed stewards of resources, Lyon and the team recognize the benefits of cover crops, bee gardens, husbandry, and water usage. By actively supporting the native habitats and biodiversity in - and around - our vineyards, Eco Terreno wines are a true expression of their terroir.

Eco Terreno is a biodynamically farmed estate that has two parcels - Lyon Vineyard and Cisne Vineyard - as well as a bee garden and an extensive animal husbandry program.

Lyon Vineyard is a historic Alexander Valley AVA located on the east side of the Russian River in Cloverdale, California. The 122-acre vineyard is planted with five red varietals; Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, and five white varietals; Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Musqué, Sauvignon Gris, and Semillon.

The vineyard is known for its sought-after Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon and Old Vine Sauvignon Blanc varietals.

The nearby 27-acre Cisne vineyard is located in the Alexander Valley AVA, 2 miles south of the Lyon Vineyard, on the east side of the Russian River in Cloverdale, California. Cisne is planted with Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc.

For more info, visit www.ecoterreno.com