Clos Du Bois

CLOS DU BOIS WINERY - Buildings!

Great wine and lasting relationships age well. Goal: Have Clos du Bois’ tasting room operating within six months of groundbreaking. Without sacrificing craftsmanship or budget, we met the deadline. Result? A bold industrial look with colored concrete floors, exposed trusses, round ducts, and steel countertops. Next we added 18,000 sf of barrel and tank storage space to an existing warehouse. Through our value-engineering efforts, existing insulated concrete panels were moved 90 feet, preserving original design at minimum cost. A few years later, we added 120,000 sf, nearly doubling the winery’s size. The expansion included a new crush pit, tank pads, bottling line, loading dock, barrel storage, case storage, and a fire protection pumphouse. Our latest project added administrative offices and a hospitality center, completing the master plan.

Project Team

Over 340 Years of Artisinal Dedication

After traveling France’s wine regions, founder Frank Woods returned home inspired to marry the elegant French style of winemaking with his vibrant California fruit. Decades later, we continue to embrace his artisanal winemaking philosophy, earning a devoted following among those who love refined, approachable wines.

Our winery timeline

• 1974: Premiere of our Classic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
• 1978: Vineyard Designates program begins with Marlstone and Briarcrest
• 1979, 1980: Calcaire and Flintwood join the Vineyard Designates series
• 1980s: Addition of Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc to our Classics tier
• Early 1990s: Classic Zinfandel releases, winery moves to current location
• 1990s: Sonoma Reserve Series created to explore appellation subtleties
• 2000s: Select vineyards isolated to create upper-tier Proprietary Series

Acres of Promise, Years of Loyalty

We farm almost 800 acres in the vibrantly diverse wine regions of Sonoma County and Coastal California, working closely with trusted local growers to build long-lasting relationships. By sharing our decades of boutique winemaking knowledge, technology and resources with each of these growers, we ensure the integrity and effortless sophistication of every wine we create.

We believe that creating a healthy ecosystem in the vineyard is critical for the vines to thrive. We pulled out some vineyards along the Russian River and planted native trees and shrubs along the banks to promote healthier fish habitats. We also restored a wetlands area at the winery to create a healthy environment for migrating birds and other creatures.

We believe that what you put into the earth comes back one hundred fold. We organically convert grape pulp, skins and seeds left over from the winemaking process into more than 7,000 cubic yards of compost each year that we return to our vineyards. By doing so, we turn a waste product into a natural nutrient for our vines.

“Health, family, food and wine – all at the same time” is how Melissa Stackhouse, Clos du Bois Director of Winemaking, describes her idea of perfect happiness, and it is clear that winemaking for her is much more than a job. With a passion for the artistry behind winemaking coupled with an appreciation of a balanced lifestyle, Melissa brings a unique vision and spirit to her role at Clos du Bois.

With as much zeal and enthusiasm as when she first started out in the industry, Melissa aspires to create wines that are meant to be enjoyed while laughing and sharing a delicious meal with friends and family. While laidback and easygoing by nature, Melissa has an extensive and impressive background at some of California's top wineries, including La Crema, J Vineyards & Winery and Jackson Family Wines.

Prior to earning her Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis, Melissa tried her hand at everything from working at a local newspaper and pottery studio to organic farming in New Zealand before discovering her passion for winemaking while wine tasting with friends. Her “aha moment” came when she realized that a career in winemaking combined her love of agriculture and science with her desire for creative expression through the production of each vintage. “It is rare that you find a career that involves working with the earth and also requires a level of creativity and artistry. This unique combination is what drew me to winemaking,” says Melissa. 

An avid yogi and mother to a toddler, Melissa spends her down time practicing yoga and spending as much time as possible with her daughter. Melissa takes full advantage of the beautiful Sonoma County landscape and can often be spotted enjoying the coastal beaches, hiking with her Corgi ‘Scout’ and driving her most treasured possession, a red 1994 Ford F-150 truck, through the vineyards. A proponent of a balanced lifestyle, Melissa “chooses wine over carbs!” and enjoys winding down with a glass of Pinot Noiror Sauvignon Blanc.

Always looking to challenge herself as a winemaker, Melissa is excited to be working with some of Sonoma and Alexander Valley’s best fruit, continuing Clos du Bois’ dedication to creating wines that are the ultimate expression of French winemaking under the California sun.