![]() So much has already been written about the singular greatness of Gap's Crown Vineyard, that while it might feel rote to call it an iconic vineyard, or a legendary spot for both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, or to note how its geographical advantages are nearly unparalleled by any of its competitors, or how its wines are as popular as they are delicious, it doesn't make these things any less true. "Run," he said-and to this day, I'm sure he meant: "Run into the vineyards and eat off the fruit of the vine." That's what he meant, right? Anyway, as for Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay, get it where you can. When he found out I was getting married, he gave me the same advice I'm going to pass along to you. ![]() Lee Hudson the night before my wedding day at Gott's Roadside in St. Larry Hyde, certainly from this writer's perspective. And Lee Hudson might just be the devilish Jekyll to Mr. Instead of Starsky & Hutch, it could have been Hudson & Hyde. While we're name-dropping, it's almost impossible to talk about Hyde without talking about Hudson, the other Chardonnay Grand Cru vineyard in Carneros owned by Lee Hudson. ![]() You may also know Larry's partner in the HdV Winery-one Aubert de Villaine, the co-owner of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti. Hyde makes some fantastic Merlot, Viognier, and Syrah, but the real superstar is their Chardonnay, which attracts a veritable Who's Who of the most revered California Chardonnay winemakers. Since 1979, you could amble through the morning fog in this Carneros vineyard and find founder Larry Hyde tending to his yield. In fact, the grape business at Sangiacomo has been going so well, that they launched their own label in 2016-Sangiacomo Wines with James MacPhail helming the cellars-so they may never go back to growing pears ever again! With more than 85 clients collecting Sangiacomo's pristine Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from 15 different single vineyards (like Home Ranch, El Novillero, and Roberts Road), many are long-time customers. ![]() With over 1,600 acres of prime land in Sonoma over four separate AVAs (the majority of which are rooted in Carneros) and a dedication to the sustainability of their vines, Sangiacomo Vineyards is a highly desired source for premium cool-climate grapes. It's hard to believe that the generations-long Sangiacomo family of farmers were once known for being the top pear farmers in all of Sonoma County, but when their pear business went bust in the 1960s, they dove head-first into growing grapes-and the rest is history. The Hilt's winemaker Matt Dees is known for getting nerdy about perfect soil conditions and maintains a strict no-pesticide or herbicide policy-tricky work for Dees who loves (and hates) the "evil" property, which produces positively stunning, energetic, and gorgeous wines. Despite the relatively harsh conditions, Pinot Noir reigns supreme here alongside Chardonnay. Of course, the climatic accents of cool days and cooler nights, mixed with silica-laced diatomaceous soils and plenty of sunshine, do wonders for the quality of their grapes. Radian doesn't fit the stereotypical mold of serenity associated with most vineyards the land features some steep, un-walkable ridges and often faces extreme lose-your-hat-forever winds at its highest elevations. Rita Hills AVA, and it stands out as a much-desired source for Central Coast grapes. Radian VineyardĪlong with its neighboring vineyards Bentrock and Puerta del Mar, Radian lives under the domain of Hilt Estate, perched on the southwestern tip of the Sta.
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