The Hyde de Villaine crest originated with the de la Guerra family of Spain and has graced every bottle of Hyde de Villaine since our inception in 2000. To celebrate the Hyde family’s Spanish heritage, our Pinot Noir from the Van der Kamp Vineyard dons the name of a family matriarch, Ysabel.

The 2017 vintage will always be remembered. The winter months were wet and cold, allowing the vines to rest after their productive 2016 campaign. Bud break occurred in March, with a mix of warm and cool days, frigid nights and several rain episodes during the early stages of flowering. These conditions resulted in a low, uneven set.

A warm dry pattern followed through the end of August, until two major heat waves hit in early September, dramatically affecting ripening conditions. As a result of the intense heat, the vines shut down and the brix and acidity levels in the grapes flatlined for the next three weeks. In late September, the vines came back to life and gave us one last push, resulting in wines with harmonious balance and freshness.

Harvest started the third week of August and was concluded by the first week of October, right before traumatic wildfires scorched through Napa and Sonoma counties, giving a catastrophic end to an already challenging vintage.

Highly perfumed aromas of rose petal, marzipan and freshly-picked strawberry coincide with pink peppercorn and sous-bois. The palate displays titillating flavors of lavender tea in harmony with subtle tones of pomegranate and Rainier cherry crushed on cedar. Elegant yet firm tannins, a true reflection of this mountain vineyard, provide structure and ageability. Patience will be rewarded. — Guillaume Boudet, Winemaker