EXHIBIT 99.1

                Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
                             As Adopted Pursuant to
                  Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002




In  connection  with  the  Annual  Report  of  SonomaWest  Holdings,  Inc.  (the
"Company")  on Form 10-K for the period  ending  June 30, 2002 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"),  Roger S.
Mertz,  as Chairman of the Board of the Company,  and Thomas R. Eakin,  as Chief
Financial Officer of the Company,  each hereby certifies,  pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted  pursuant to Section 906 of the  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act of
2002 that:

     (1) The Report fully  complies  with the  requirements  of section 13(a) or
15(d), as applicable of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     (2)  The  information  contained  in the  Report  fairly  presents,  in all
material  respects,  the  financial  condition  and results of operations of the
Company.




  /s/  Roger S. Mertz
-------------------------------------
Roger S. Mertz, Chairman of the Board
September 20, 2002



  /s/  Thomas R. Eakin
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Thomas R. Eakin, Chief Financial Officer
September 20, 2002