The Hyde family is known for their expertise in growing cool-climate grape varietals in the Carneros region of the Napa Valley. They originally planted Hyde Vineyard in the 1970s. Their Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays are well known around the world and meticulously farmed, which gives the Bouchaine winemaking team the amazing opportunity to translate that incredible terroir into the bottle.

Growing Season
The 2021 growing season will be remembered as a winemaker’s vintage. Not too cold, not too hot, not too wet, and no frost. However, we were in the grips of a multiyear drought. While we enjoy dry farming when we have average rainfall, in vintages where the rainfall is half of average (like 2021) we do irrigate to allow for ideal shoot growth and ripening. Bouchaine is lucky to have a huge reservoir so we were able to irrigate early in the season to get our vine canopies full. Drought conditions do have some positives when it comes to winemaking as they bring us smaller berries with beautifully concentrated flavors at harvest. We also lucked out with consistent weather throughout the summer giving us ideal ripening at an even pace. A little sun, a bit of water, and a lot of hard work in the vineyard allowed us to bring in a killer 2021 vintage!

Vinification
Our Hyde Chardonnay is hand harvested at night and on the crush pad by sunrise. The fruit is then gently pressed and settled. We barrel ferment in premium French oak barrels with full lees inclusion and monthly stirring for added mouthfeel and complexity. This wine goes through partial malolactic fermentation to highlight the vibrant palate. Our favorite barrels are then blended together in early summer to showcase the best of Hyde Vineyard.

Tasting Notes
Down in the southern end of the Napa Valley, we have a mindset called “Carneros Casual.” Our idea of a traffic jam is getting stuck behind a tractor. The Hyde family has been farming in the Carneros for decades, but don’t let their casual exterior fool you. They grow some seriously great grapes. Our Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay is a true Carneros wine. Easily approachable with its lush, juicy flavors and aromatics, yet unwavering in its power and structure.