Terra de Promissio

Terra de Promissio is a family-owned and operated vineyard in the Sonoma Coast American Viticultural Area, outside Petaluma in Sonoma County, California. The property specializes in Pinot Noir and is primarily known as a source of grapes for winery partners rather than as a conventional consumer-facing wine producer. Its name means “The Land of Promise,” reflecting the property’s identity as a distinctive Sonoma Coast growing site. Charles Karren and Diana Karren founded and developed the vineyard. They began planting in 2002, establishing the first 32 acres with Dijon Clones 115 and 777. The vineyard’s first harvest took place in 2005, when fruit was sold to three wineries. Additional plantings in 2012 and 2013 added 18,000 vines and expanded the total planted area to 50 acres. The later plantings included Clones 943 and 97, as well as a field blend sometimes referred to by winemakers as Calera. Terra de Promissio’s business model centers on supplying vineyard-designated or estate-associated fruit to independent and established California wineries. Reported winery users of its grapes have included Castello di Amorosa, Domaine Della, Dutcher Crossing, Hanzell, Kistler, Kosta Browne, Land of Promise, Lynmar Estate, Notre Vin, Senses, Soliste, Spell Estate, Whetstone, and Williams Selyem. Several of these producers have released wines carrying the Terra de Promissio vineyard name, including Castello di Amorosa, Domaine Della, Land of Promise, Notre Vin, Spell Estate, Whetstone, and Williams Selyem. The vineyard gained wider recognition through the critical performance of wines made from its fruit. The 2009 Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, which included Terra de Promissio fruit among its vineyard sources, was selected by Wine Spectator as its 2011 Wine of the Year and received a score of 95 points. The recognition was notable for Sonoma County and for Pinot Noir. Terra de Promissio-associated wines have also accumulated more than 20 scores of 90 points or higher, including a 96-point score for the 2011 Williams Selyem Terra de Promissio and a 94-point score for the 2009 Lynmar Terra de Promissio, according to the cited reference material. In late 2015, Charles and Diana Karren, together with Diana’s sister Alina Zarr, introduced Land of Promise Wine. The label produces Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir exclusively from Terra de Promissio grapes. Its 2013 vintage was reported at 100 cases, giving the family a direct wine-label expression of the vineyard while preserving the property’s central role as a grape supplier. Terra de Promissio is therefore positioned as a premium Sonoma Coast vineyard and vineyard-designation source whose reputation is built on site expression, Pinot Noir quality, and relationships with notable producers.

Terra de Promissio was established by Charles Karren and Diana Karren as a family-owned vineyard in the Sonoma Coast AVA near Petaluma, California. The property’s development began in 2002, when the couple supervised the planting of 33,000 vines. The first 32 acres were planted primarily to Dijon Clones 115 and 777, selections used for Pinot Noir production. Rather than building its identity primarily around a large direct-to-consumer wine business, Terra de Promissio developed as a specialized grape-growing property whose fruit could be used by multiple wineries. The vineyard produced its first harvest in 2005. At that stage, its grapes were sold to three wineries. As the vineyard matured, its fruit began appearing in wines made by a broader range of Sonoma and California producers. The site’s reputation was strengthened by the use of its grapes in wines from wineries such as Kistler, Kosta Browne, Hanzell, Lynmar Estate, Williams Selyem, Castello di Amorosa, and others. Some producers identified the vineyard directly on their labels, making Terra de Promissio’s name part of the wine’s provenance and marketing story. Expansion took place in 2012 and 2013, when the owners planted an additional 18,000 vines. These later blocks brought the total planted acreage to 50 acres and introduced Dijon Clones 943 and 97 along with a field blend sometimes called Calera by winemakers. The combination of blocks and clonal material gave winery partners different sources of Pinot Noir fruit within the same overall property. By 2015, Terra de Promissio had reached its 11th harvest and was selling fruit to 13 wineries, according to the cited account. The property’s standing was reinforced by critical scores for wines made with its grapes. The 2009 Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, which included Terra de Promissio fruit among its sources, was named Wine Spectator’s 2011 Wine of the Year and scored 95 points. Other Terra de Promissio-associated wines also received high ratings, including a 96-point score for the 2011 Williams Selyem Terra de Promissio and a 94-point score for the 2009 Lynmar Terra de Promissio. The family later created a more direct expression of the vineyard. In late 2015, Charles Karren, Diana Karren, and Diana’s sister Alina Zarr launched Land of Promise Wine. The label’s Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir was made exclusively from Terra de Promissio grapes; the 2013 vintage was reported at 100 cases. This initiative complemented the vineyard’s long-standing role as a supplier to outside wineries while keeping the property’s name and fruit at the center of a family-associated wine brand. Terra de Promissio is consequently best understood as a premium vineyard property and grape-source brand. Its differentiation comes from its Sonoma Coast location, Pinot Noir specialization, named-clone plantings, family ownership, and association with critically recognized wines. Public reference material provides detailed historical information through the 2015 harvest period but does not establish a complete current ownership, production, or commercial-distribution profile.

• 2015

  Eleventh harvest and Land of Promise launch

  [1]Terra de Promissioen.wikipedia.org

  At its 11th harvest, the vineyard was reported to supply 13 wineries. Later that year, the Karren family and Alina Zarr launched Land of Promise Wine using Terra de Promissio fruit exclusively.

• 2013

  Vineyard reaches 50 planted acres

  [1]Terra de Promissioen.wikipedia.org

  The additional plantings completed the expansion to 50 planted acres and included Clones 943, 97, and a field blend sometimes called Calera.

• 2012

  Second phase of planting begins

  [1]Terra de Promissioen.wikipedia.org

  The owners began adding 18,000 vines across the remaining acreage, using additional Pinot Noir clones and a field blend.

• 2011

  Associated wine receives major recognition

  [1]Terra de Promissioen.wikipedia.org

  The 2009 Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, partly sourced from Terra de Promissio, was named Wine Spectator’s 2011 Wine of the Year and received 95 points.

• 2005

  First harvest

  [1]Terra de Promissioen.wikipedia.org

  Terra de Promissio completed its first harvest and sold grapes to three wineries.

• 2002

  Initial vineyard planting

  [1]Terra de Promissioen.wikipedia.org

  Charles and Diana Karren oversaw the planting of the vineyard’s first 33,000 vines, covering approximately 32 acres and including Dijon Clones 115 and 777.

A premium, family-operated Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir vineyard supplying fruit to respected California wineries and supporting limited vineyard-designated wines.

• Wine grapes · 2005

  Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir grapes

  Terra de Promissio’s principal commercial offering is Pinot Noir fruit grown in the Sonoma Coast AVA. The vineyard includes multiple planted selections, including Dijon Clones 115, 777, 943, and 97, as well as a field blend. Its grapes are sold to wineries that use them in blended Sonoma Coast bottlings or identify the vineyard on the label.

• Wine · 2015

  Land of Promise Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

  Land of Promise is a family-associated wine label launched in 2015 by Charles Karren, Diana Karren, and Alina Zarr. Its Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is made exclusively from Terra de Promissio grapes. The 2013 vintage was reported at 100 cases, but later production and current availability are not established by the supplied reference material.

• 2015

  Launch of Land of Promise WineProduct launch

  Background

  After years of supplying grapes to outside wineries, the family created a wine label centered exclusively on the Terra de Promissio vineyard.

  Action taken

  Charles Karren, Diana Karren, and Alina Zarr introduced Land of Promise Wine, beginning with a Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.

  Aftermath

  The vineyard gained a direct label expression; the 2013 vintage was reported at 100 cases.

  Source

• 2012

  Expand planted acreage and diversify vine materialStrategy

  Background

  The vineyard had established an initial 32-acre Pinot Noir planting and was developing its reputation as a grape supplier.

  Action taken

  The owners planted an additional 18,000 vines during 2012 and 2013, adding Clones 943 and 97 and a field blend.

  Aftermath

  The property reached 50 planted acres and broadened the range of Pinot Noir fruit available to winery partners.

  Source

• 2015

  Family launches Land of Promise Wine[1]Terra de Promissioen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  Charles Karren, Diana Karren, and Alina Zarr launched Land of Promise Wine, a Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir label using grapes exclusively from Terra de Promissio.

• 2013

  Terra de Promissio expands to 50 planted acres[1]Terra de Promissioen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Planting work carried out in 2012 and 2013 added 18,000 vines and brought the vineyard’s total planted area to 50 acres.

• 2011

  Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir named Wine Spectator’s 2011 Wine of the Year[1]Terra de Promissioen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The 2009 Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, made with fruit from three vineyards including Terra de Promissio, received Wine Spectator’s 2011 Wine of the Year designation and a 95-point score.

1. 1Terra de Promissioen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Terra de Promissio official websiteterradepromissio.com