Richard A. Ward Memorial

U.C. Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology

Timeless, One-of-a-Kind, The Wine of the Vintage

Since its founding in 1981, the heart and soul of Saintsbury have been the combined force of personalities of co-founders Richard Ward and David Graves. The Dick and Dave Show firmly stamped Saintsbury with its own brand of humor and dedication to life and winemaking that we celebrate here every day. After Richard passed away in 2017 his widow, Linda Reiff re-imagined our collective grief in the form of The Richard A. Memorial Scholarship through the University of California, Davis. The fellowship supports students pursuing their graduate degrees in viticulture and enology. Our mission in this living tribute is to honor a larger-than-life character with exceptional intelligence, curiosity, and drive for excellence in this endeavor that supports like-minded wine enthusiasts.

You can read more about the fellowship here. 

The first release of the Richard A Ward Memorial Wine was a 2019 vintage of Pinot Noir from Lee Vineyard, a favorite site. Keeping in mind Richard’s love and never-ending fascination with Pinot Noir, winemaker, Tim Colla crafted it deliberately imagining how Richard might appreciate its evolution over the next 10 years or more.

In May of 2024, we're delighted to announce the second release of the Richard A Ward Memorial Wine: our 2021 Sundawg Ridge Pommard Pinot Noir. Again, the wine is crafted in Richard’s honor; a wine we hope will resonate with you too, so when you raise your glass, it brings you the joy and engagement that is the heart of Saintsbury.

2021 Sundawg Ridge Vineyard RAW Memorial Pinot Noir

Sundawg Ridge Vineyard, planted exclusively to Pinot Noir in 2000 by Nancy Winn and Chuck Kensler, was our first foray into the Russian River Valley. Producing big, structured, and muscular fruit, this site was the beginning of our exploration outside of the Carneros AVA. Our 2021 RAW Memorial Pinot Noir is made with 100% Pommard Clone and selected from the best two barrels from this harvest.

To honor our Founder, Winemaker Tim Colla sought to craft a age-worthy single clone Pinot Noir with lots of stuffing, and the right balance of tannin and acidity: "One of the things I learned from Dick early on is the beauty and complexity that come from well-aged Pinot Noir.  He always encouraged me to acquire several bottles of a single wine and track its evolution over the years.  This is my attempt to create a wine worthy of that discovery."

  • 100% Pommard Clone Pinot Noir
  • Green Valley of Russian River Valley
  • Located above the morning fog at 240 foot elevation, only twelve miles from the Pacific ocean, the vineyard showcases classic Goldridge soils. 
  • Only 564 bottles made.
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