Ovid was a Latin poet whose epic poem Metamorphoses is a narrative of Greek myths that tell of transformation and change - a fitting name for a winery who in only 12 years has transformed 15 acres on Pritchard Hill into one of Napa's most exciting wineries. 

 

Following a career in software Mark Nelson, Dana Johnson and Janet Pagano purchased this rugged chunk of cliff overlooking St. Helena and proceeded to hire David Abreu, Napa's foremost viticulturalist to plant the high-density Bordeaux varieties; hired Andy Erickson, then of Screaming Eagle and now of Dancing Hares to develop the winemaking program and hired the world-famous Michel Rolland to act as a consultant to the winemaking team.    

 

Hanzell Vineyards, established in 1957 by JD Zellerbach, a US Ambasador as well as industrialist and vintner, is renowned for its terroir-driven and age-worthy Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. 

 

During Ambassador Zellerbach's frequent trips to Europe in the 1950's to implement President Truman's Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe, he learned to love the great wines of France.  Upon return to California, still working as owner and director of his company Crown-Zellerbach, he purchased 14 acres of land in the Mayacamas range overlooking the town of Sonoma and combined his wife's first name, Hana, and his last name, Zellerbach to create Hanzell Vineyards. 

 

The sole purpose was to make Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as good as the best of Burgundy.  A winery was designed and built to resemble the press house at Clos du Vougeot, and in the spirit of innovation and quality-first winemaking many advancements came to fruition.  Hanzell became the first winery to use temperature controlled stainless steel fermenters, the first to isolate the malolactic bacteria and control it in barrel, the first to use inert gas on the bottling line to prevent oxidation, the first in California to use French oak for barriques, and the first to use "tankitos", movable one-ton steel fermentation tanks.  The quality of their nursery vines has led numerous wineries throughout the U.S. to plant the "Hanzell clone". 

 

Hanzell's wines are best known for their ageability.  In fact the winery recommends aging it....for as long as you'd like.   

 

Hanzell produces only 5,000 cases annually and maintains a library of every vintage, to be released when they are deemed perfect to drink.  Recently in a tasting for "The Ambassador's Club", the member's wine club, the winery opened and released the 1970 Chardonnay and the 1970 and 1971 Pinot Noirs.  In fact, if you have any older Hanzell wines already and are interested in drinking them the winery can provide you the most recent notes and recommendations. 

 

"I'm hard-pressed to think of a winery that makes more age-worthy wines, so if you're looking for a Chardonnay or Pinot Noir to stick in the cellar for enjoyment in a few years, these wines are two great bets." 

"No winery in California has more perseveringly demonstrated the singularity of its vineyard site--especially for its landmark Chardonnay."
Wine Spectator magazine

"Almost Chablis-like in its flintiness, this is intense and snappy, with a refreshing core of apple, citrus and pebble flavours. Slow to unfold but does so in a captivating manner, releasing subtle flavour nuances along the way. This wine has a great track record for being tight early and aging long. Best from 2013 through 2023. 2,074 cases made." 

Like all vintages of Hanzell Pinot Noir, the winery recommends aging this for a long time, but if you should choose to drink this early, a double-decant is recommended 1-2 hours before drinking to allow the wine to begin to open up and reveal its aromas and texture.

"The best Hanzell Pinot in a while. Fresh and snappy, offering firm tannins and a core of mineral-laced wild berry, mocha, cedar and dried berry notes. Shows great structure, depth, focus and persistence. A great cellar choice. Drink now through 2022. 1,551 cases made."