laudia Springs winery is located in the beautiful Anderson Valley of California's Mendocino County. Our family owned micro-winery produces limited quantities of premium Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah, Pinot Gris and Viognier. Claudia Springs has won medals for every release since 1989.

Our Story...

In the spring of 1989, longtime friends Claudia and Bob Klindt and Claudia and Warren Hein were traveling through the Anderson Valley during a weekend trip from their San Jose homes. At the time, Bob Klindt, who was employed as a social worker in Santa Clara county, was already demonstrating winemaking prowess with several prizewinning homemade wines.

Near the rural community of Philo, surrounded by the hills of Anderson Valley's vineyards, conifers and oaks, the foursome discovered a home and 20 acres for sale. The property was offered by Anderson Valley wine pioneer Milla Handley and included an assortment of winemaking equipment. The Heins and Klindts had dreamt of leaving the fast pace of city life, and it didn't take long for ideas to spring. By the fall of that year, the Klindts had sold their San Jose home and purchased the property. Soon after, the Heins purchased an adjacent undeveloped 20 acres and Claudia Springs was born.

With winemaker Bob Klindt at the barrels, the winery produced 550 cases of Chardonnay the first year, 1989.  Bob coupled his own experience with extension classes in eonology (winemaking) at U.C. Davis, and his Chardonnay evolved over ensuing vintages, culminating with a gold medal at the Mendocino County Fair Commercial Wine Competition.  During the same period, the winery began expanding into the Pinot Noir and Zinfandel varietals, which today are its mainstay. Claudia Springs wines are made exclusively from Mendocino County vineyards with special emphasis on Anderson Valley grapes. These wines have garnered more than their share of gold medals in recent years.  In 2001 and 2002 we had Zinfandels named to the Wine Enthusiast list of Top 100 Wines of the Year. One was on the Best Buy List and the other was on the Best at Any Price list!

In 1994, the Klindts found jobs in Mendocino County and moved to the winery full time.   We experienced further major developments during the 1998 year.  Regrettably, the Heins were no longer able to remain in the winemaking business, but were able to sell their interest to us.  We have since formed a partnership with extended family members to develop 13 acres of vineyards on the site.  The initial planting, completed in July, 1998, consists of 8 acres of Pinot Noir and 2 acres of Pinot Gris.  Expanding our operation to include our own vines allows us to further develop the unique palate and charm of Claudia Springs wine. 

From those initial 550 cases, Claudia Springs has grown to an annual production nearing 3,000 cases.  We are still well within the 10,000 case limit of a microwinery-just where we want to be!  Every bit of the work, from crushing and pressing to bottling and marketing, is done by Bob and Claudia.  (While the image of an intimate life strolling among the vineyards may seem romantic, we would sure like to be able to afford a few employees!)  Our hands-on approach allows us to maintain strict, personal quality control.  This philosophy, steeped in sound winemaking techniques and friendly business principals, has allowed us to build a solid customer base ranging from individual wine lovers to some of the west's finest restaurants and retail outlets.  We have done so with a rate of success unusual for a winery of our size and resources.

Claudia Springs was founded on hard work, dedication and friendship.  We welcome you to our family of fine, handcrafted wines, and encourage you to stop by for a visit at our tasting room located in the "Deep End" of the Anderson Valley.   You will be well taken care of by our tasting room staff who are knowledgeable about our wines, our story, and our beautiful valley, and will make you feel at home.  Please see our Contact  and  Tour pages for more information.  Our Wine Club offers a wonderful opportunity to receive Claudia Springs wine at special discounts.  And don't miss signing up for our Newsletter to stay apprised of all Claudia Springs news!

We thank you for your support and interest, and invite you to enjoy and share in the product of our labor and love.

—Bob & Claudia Klindt