Newsletter
A Landmark Change to Protect our Native Fish
For generations, the Navarro River has defined the landscape surrounding the Husch estate. Today, protecting that river, and the fish within it, has become one of our most important responsibilities. On April 22, 2026 Husch announced a transformational re-organization of our water rights to protect 20 million gallons of summer water for the fish.
This innovative win-win solution is the culmination of a 15-year collaboration between Husch, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Trout Unlimited, and the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District. This dream-team of conservation experts helped Husch flip its water right from a legal right to take water from the river to a legal shield that preserves 20 million gallons of water in the river.
The first vision of the project dates back to 2009 when Zac, 3rd generation family owner at Husch, presented his research on declining flows in the Navarro River. With their own analysis, TNC confirmed the problem and also offered some solutions.
The conservation plan had several components. The leaky ponds at Husch required upgrades to store water collected in the winter until July and August when the water is needed for irrigation. That piece of the puzzle was completed in 2016.
The more elaborate components of the plan took longer. Husch needed a new water right to collect water in the winter, when flow is ample. Ironically, the old water right prohibited winter river pumping and pond storage. Go figure!
The final piece of the puzzle, the legal protection of summer water for the fish, was the icing on the cake. A 2020 change to California law opened the door to this critical component of the plan.
The Husch project is now the anchor tenant in a portfolio of water savings projects in the Navarro River watershed. “‘Store and forbear’ is a critical step toward recovering salmon populations in the Navarro watershed,” explains Linda MacElwee of the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District. “Conservation partners like Husch are leading the way.”
Coming together to celebrate how environmental stewardship creates new pathways to help our river flows and native fish. We toasted a record-breaking 30,000 coho salmon that returned to spawn along Mendocino Coast in 2025. We’re honored to be part of the solution. Thanks to The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited and Mendocino County Resource Conservation District.
Photo left to right:
Chuck Bonham, California Executive Director, TNC
Sally Liu, California Board Member, TNC
Monty Schmitt, Senior Coastal Rivers Project Director, TNC
Zac Robinson, 3rd generation family owner, Husch Vineyards
Matt Clifford, California Director, Trout Unlimited
Caitrin Chappelle, Assoc Director, California Water Program, TNC
Sandi Matsumoto, Director, California Water Program, TNC
Fences Tell a Story: A piece of history not to be forgotten
At Husch, beauty isn’t only found in the glass - it’s found in the land, the trees, the old barns, and even the fences. If you’ve ever visited our tasting room, you’ve likely noticed the weathered split-rail fences that line the edge of our property.
These rustic structures do more than mark boundaries, they tell a story that stretches back more than a century, offering a quiet but powerful connection to the early history of Anderson Valley and to the land that makes our wines possible today.
The story begins in the late 1800s, when logging operations swept through this part of Mendocino County. Towering coast redwoods, many of them hundreds of years old, were felled for lumber. Much of the high-quality wood was used for railroad ties and building materials across California. But the leftovers - the irregular cuts, knots, and slabs not suited for construction weren’t wasted. Locals used this “waste” to build simple, functional fences using the split-rail technique, stacking the rails in zigzag patterns without the need for nails or posts. The result was strong, flexible fencing that could be built with basic tools and last for decades.
More than 100 years later, many of those same fences still stand at Husch. They are among the last visible clues of the redwood giants that once dominated this land. The gray patina of the rails, aged by weather and time, blends naturally with the landscape reminding us that agriculture, when done thoughtfully, can honor the past as it looks to the future.
Today, Husch farms just 20 acres of our 60-acre property, choosing not to cultivate every square foot but to leave space for nature to thrive. Along the edges of the vineyard and beside the creeks that wind through the land, young redwood groves are making a quiet comeback. These regrowing forests shelter native wildlife and help restore the balance of the ecosystem. Their needles cool the air, their roots stabilize the soil, and their presence reminds us that resilience and renewal are part of this place.
We know that the biodiversity of our land, the redwoods, the sheep, the owls and songbirds, along with the healthy soils play a role in the quality of the wine we produce. Our Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Gewurztraminer are not just expressions of the grapevines themselves, but of the broader environment in which they grow. Each vintage carries the subtle imprint of a landscape where nature and farming coexist, where old fences tell stories, and where the future of the land is being shaped with care.
So the next time you walk past one of those weathered rails, know that you’re looking at more than a fence. You’re seeing the history of Anderson Valley, the legacy of the redwoods, and a philosophy of stewardship that continues to guide everything we do at Husch.
Appreciation Goes a Long Way
Whether it comes via Google reviews, Yelp or Trip Advisor we’re always grateful to hear from our customers (yes, we read them all). A few favorites you won’t read online from guests who email us directly.
“Dear Husch Vineyard Family, My name is … and currently enrolled in the Wine Production and Styles course at Central New Mexico Community College. As we explore different winemaking traditions in class, I keep returning to one of my most meaningful wine experiences - my visit to your vineyard in 2018 during a family vacation. We enjoyed our wine tasting outdoors with beautiful views of the vineyards, and the whole experience was truly unforgettable… I wanted to thank you for the care and dedication you put into your craft. You create more than outstanding wines; you create experiences that stay with people for years. I’m grateful for the role your vineyard played in shaping my appreciation for wine.”
and from another ...
“A first class tasting. Just my wife and I for what was a great experience. Knowledgeable, personable with plenty of patience with our questions. Two Thumbs Up.”
Going Back to our Roots: Legacy Vines
We are farmers first, and we take seriously the responsibility of caring for the vines that are part of Husch’s legacy. On our Philo ranch, we have the privilege of tending Anderson Valley’s most historic vineyards, including the Knoll, the first Pinot Noir vines planted in the valley back in 1971.
A flagship wine for Husch, the 2023 Knoll Pinot Noir is highly coveted by Pinot aficionados. This elegant vintage displays aromas of Rainier cherries, raspberries, clove and earth. $46/bottle
Planted in 1968, Husch’s original Gewurztraminer vineyard still produces fruit for our Dry Gewurztraminer, Late Harvest Gewurztraminer, and non-alcoholic Gewurztraminer Juice. We’ve added more Gewurztraminer vines since the original planting, and love how the terroir lends itself to this aromatic varietal.
The 2024 Gewurztraminer is a Husch treasure made true to varietal character. Aromas of rose, lychee and spice are followed by a hint of mandarin that lead to a long, dry finish. $20/bottle
We also care for Vine One, our “perfume” Chardonnay vineyard that we’ve propagated from a single vine into 5,000 vines. The 2024 Vine One Chardonnay shows off the unique floral characteristic of orange blossom and jasmine. These aromas lead way to a fresh fruit palate of juicy pear and lemon zest. $24/bottle
In the warm Ukiah Valley our Garzini Ranch is home to some of Mendocino County’s oldest vines, which produce our Old Vines Zinfandel and Old Vines Heritage. Stewardship of these vineyards is both a responsibility and a privilege. We tend the land with the long view in mind, and year after year, these old vines reward that attention with exceptional fruit.
The 2024 Old Vines Zinfandel has vibrant raspberry and cranberry aromas with notes of violets, pepper and clove that lead to an elegant finish. $28/bottle
The 2024 Old Vines Heritage is bold, dark and complex. A blend of 55% Petite Sirah, 36% Zinfandel and 9% Carignane all gown from old, gnarly head-pruned vines at our Garzini Ranch. Yields are low and it shows in the quality of the wine. We love the intense aromas, ripe fruit flavors with a mix of black tea and vanilla. $32/bottle
You can also stay in touch with our free newsletter. Expect news and special wine savings with our semi-annual mailing.