In 1972, Russ and Annie Nyborg decided they wanted a home with some land in Northern California. As a San Francisco Bay Bar Pilot, Russ had been a seafarer all his working life. Together, they decided it was time to get a little land-locked.
After looking for months for a place that "felt right," Russ and Annie discovered a beautiful piece of land in Mendocino County between Hopland and Ukiah, overlooking the Russian River valley. They found their home, and a new profession.
"The man who sold us the land had 10,000 Zinfandel vines on order and we decided to make it part of the deal." They planted 24 acres and Whaler Vineyard was born.
