Visiting memory lane, while working on our last feature, we remembered the amazing time we had at Hanzell Vineyards over a year ago. Nestled at the toe of the Mayacamas Mountains, this family farm is home to the oldest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines in the Western Hemisphere. A property that anyone would dream of calling home, Hanzell is fully committed to the land they own and it shows with their bio farming practices. From sheep acting as lawn mowers to pigs acting as tillers, Hanzell takes great pride in making sure the terroir they care for is helping produce the best wines possible.

As you can imagine they specialize in small lots of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and they are making some of the best wines we’ve had. Focused on highlighting the fruit that grows in their meticulously tended vineyards, their wines are fresh, structured, and showcase beautifully the fruit they are growing. 

In 2018, their 2014 Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir, which was the creation of Winemaker, Michael McNeill was Wine Destinations Wine of the Year. The fruit for this wine was sourced from the de Brye, Sessions and Ambassador’s 1953 Vineyards with an average vine age of 26 years. With notes of red fruit and a beautiful silky finish through the palate we found this Pinot Noir to be extremely elegant and absolutely delicious.

Walking through their caves and cellar, as well as enjoying a tasting overlooking their historic vineyard, should be on anyone’s list when visiting Sonoma Valley. A visit to Hanzell Vineyards with their amazing hospitality, delightful wines and beautiful vistas will make you feel like you are on top of the world. We certainly hope to be enjoying that feeling once again sometime soon.