Hanzell is one of California's most important wineries, full stop. Founded in 1953 by diplomat James D. Zellerbach to produce Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to rival the great wines of Burgundy, Hanzell introduced stainless steel fermentation tanks and small French oak barrels to California winemaking, innovations that transformed the industry. The Ambassador Vineyard, planted in 1953, contains some of the oldest producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines in North America. The wines remain among the most age-worthy and collectible in California: built for decades, not years.
Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley: the flagship white, drawing on the historic Ambassador's 1953 Vineyard; mineral-driven, taut and built to age.
Estate Pinot Noir, Sonoma Valley: from some of the oldest continuously producing Pinot Noir vines in North America; structured, savory and long-lived.
Sebella Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley: a brighter, fresher Chardonnay from younger estate vines.
Sebella Pinot Noir, Sonoma Valley: a more approachable, fruit-forward estate Pinot Noir.
Hanzell makes about 7,000 cases a year, all of it from estate vines grown in volcanic ash and clay-loam soils on Moon Mountain. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir lead the range, with an Estate Cabernet Sauvignon alongside; the Estate wines are made to age for decades, the Sebella wines to drink sooner.
Hanzell is the rare Moon Mountain producer whose tasting room actually sits on the mountain itself, a 200-acre estate at the southern toe of the Mayacamas overlooking Sonoma Valley and San Pablo Bay. The first vintage came in 1957, and the de Brye family has owned the estate since 1975; Alexander de Brye owns it today. Of the 200 acres, 46 are planted to vines, all certified organic, and the estate is farmed with livestock among the rows. Jason Jardine (previously at Flowers and Rhys) has led winemaking and the organic farming program since 2014. The visit includes a walk through the cave, the production facility and the historic Heritage Winery. Heritage Tour + Tasting $90 (90 minutes); Library Tour adds two library wines for $150 (2.5 hours). All experiences by appointment only, Monday to Friday, adults only.
