The history of Hanzell Vineyards extends deep into Sonoma's winemaking past. There's a timeless quality to this boutique wine estate along the southern reaches of the Mayacamas mountains, which continues to produce restrained, nuanced and ageworthy wines that express their terroir.
Hanzell was the vision of James D. Zellerbach, a U.S. Ambassador to Italy from 1957 to 1960. Inspired by his travels in Burgundy, the San Francisco-raised Zellerbach returned to California and founded the winery in 1953, naming it after his wife, Hana. Zellerbach's first step was to plant 3 acres each of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the foothills above the town of Sonoma. That vineyard remains in production today. Now dubbed Ambassador's 1953 Vineyard, it is the oldest Pinot Noir vineyard and the oldest continuously producing Chardonnay vineyard in North America.
The story of those vines adds another fascinating layer to the legacy of Hanzell. Zellerbach hired Ivan Schoch, then-manager of Oakville's famed To Kalon Vineyard, to plant the vineyard. Schoch took Pinot Noir cuttings from Martin Stelling's property (some of which is considered part of To Kalon), which in turn had come from the Oakville Viticulture Field Station across the street. Those cuttings had an even older source: the Inglenook estate in Rutherford. Meanwhile, the Chardonnay vines came from Stony Hill Vineyard, which took their cuttings from Wente Vineyard in Livermore. Both are now heritage clones, carrying the Hanzell moniker, and the bud wood has been propagated for use in numerous vineyards throughout the West Coast.
Bu hikaye Wine Spectator dergisinin December 15, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Wine Spectator dergisinin December 15, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Drouhin Expands its Burgundy Acreage
Maison Joseph Drouhin has purchased two estates in Burgundy, totaling nearly 50 acres of vineyards: Château de Chasselas in St.-Véran and the Rapet estate in St.-Romain.
Gallo Buys Notable Pinot Noir Player
America's largest wine company continues to expand, particularly with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Brad Pitt and the Perrin Family Get in the Gin Game
After a decade of building the Côtes de Provence-based Miraval brand together, Brad Pitt and Famille Perrin have decided to partner in the spirits industry with Gardener gin.
Jack Daniel's, Bad Spaniels and the Supreme Court
\"This case is about dog toys and whiskey, two items seldom appearing in the same sentence.\"
THE MARTINELLI STORY
LOVE SONOMA PINOT NOIR AND ZINFANDEL? THANK THE HARD WORK OF FIVE GENERATIONS OF THIS CALIFORNIA GRAPE-GROWING FAMILY
Exploration Brings Rewards
Part of the beauty of wine is the opportunity to expand horizons. Often there's also a value element to less-known wines.
2020 Cabernet Intel: Spottswoode
The Napa winery was able to thread the needle, with most of its harvest already fermenting before the smoke rolled in.
Paneer: A Simple Recipe to Make at Home
There's a lot to like about paneer, the fresh cheese that's a major staple of Indian cuisine.
Scientists Identify Byzantine Era Grapes
Archaeologists digging in the Negev desert in southern Israel have uncovered evidence of a booming wine industry dating back more than 1,500 years.
Château Haut-Brion Owner Buys Significant Wine Book Collection
In April 2022, Sonomabased antiquarian bookseller Ben Kinmont oversaw the sale of the Thackrey Library, a valuable collection of more than 700 tomes and documents assembled by California winemaker Sean Thackrey.
