About
HdV is a venture between the Hyde family of Napa Valley and the de Villaine family of Burgundy. The families, related by marriage, share long histories in French and Californian winemaking. At HdV, we have brought together our knowledge and experience for the purpose of creating single vineyard wines from cool climate sites throughout Napa Valley.
Aubert de Villaine
Aubert de Villaine, married to the Hyde’s aunt Pamela F. de Villaine, is one of Burgundies most recognized individuals. As the proprietor of his own wine, Domaine de Villaine, and as co-director of Domaine de la Romanée Conti, Aubert has spent his years carefully studying every nuance that might enhance his viticultural and enological practices.
Born and raised deep in the rich traditions of Frances greatest winemaking techniques, Aubert brings to the partnership the foundation upon which the venture bases its theories and practices. Though tradition and history may run heavily in his veins, his uncompromising desire to experiment and learn has brought him to the Napa Valley to work with family.
R. E. “Rick" Hyde III
A seventh-generation Californian descended from one of the state’s earliest farming families, Rick Hyde brings a distinguished agricultural lineage to his position as President of HdV Wines and as a member of the historic de la Guerra family.
In 2000, he co-founded the winery through a notable partnership with his Uncles, Aubert de Villaine of Burgundy and Larry Hyde of Napa Valley.
Since HdV’s inception, he has served as a principal figure in the family’s winemaking enterprise, providing the leadership that has shaped the winery’s reputation.
Mr. Hyde began his wine industry career in his teenage years, driving tractors and delivering loads of fruit for Hyde Vineyard. Thereafter, he continued his involvement by developing Las Trancas Vineyard with Larry Hyde and Sonoma Stage Vineyard with his Father, Richard Hyde.
Although his family’s winemaking heritage is firmly rooted in California, Mr. Hyde resides in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, Rachel, where they raised their two daughters, Caroline and Colette.
Guillaume Boudet
Guillaume joined Hyde de Villaine as a harvest intern in the summer of 2013 and was promoted to Associate Winemaker in 2015. Guillaume works closely with Larry and Chris Hyde on all vineyard matters and reports to Aubert de Villaine on matters involving winemaking.
Born in Bordeaux and raised in Toulouse, France; his passion for wine was first initiated at a young age by his grandfather, who worked as a cooper with many of the first growth Chateaus of Bordeaux. Guillaume earned his master’s degree in agricultural engineering, then pursued a degree in winemaking and viticulture from the University of Bordeaux while working for ultra-premium wineries in the Sonoma Coast and Bordeaux.
Guillaume believes strongly in terroir-driven winemaking, which emphasizes the many qualities of Hyde Vineyard, with minimal manipulation in the cellar.
Vineyard
Producing some of the most coveted grapes in Napa Valley, Hyde Vineyards has gained distinction for its single vineyard wines. In 2018, we diversified our vineyard portfolio and started sourcing grapes from exceptional vineyards in the Napa Valley. These select vineyard sites are all in the cooler regions of Napa, allowing us to maintain our winery’s philosophy of balance and preservation of terroir.
Terroir
Covering sedimentary terraces, Hyde Vineyards is blessed with shallow loamy soils and ancient streambeds that work in conjunction with the cool Carneros climate and gentle winds to create moderate hydric stress within the vines. The condition of moderate stress encourages the vines to maximize their potential. The temperature moderating winds off the Pacific Ocean, which are channeled through the Petaluma Gap, are key in allowing for prolonged growing seasons. This extended growing season is vital to the completion of phenolic maturation, bringing both intensity and balance to the wines.
Farming
At Hyde Vineyards, the vines tend to have minimal soil compaction, resulting in a healthy microbial ecosystem and a naturally balanced substructure for the vines. Sustainably farmed, our vines flourish under a naturally balanced environment that allows a certain amount of vine disease to occur. Though seemingly counterintuitive, the great producers of France have long understood that a certain amount of disease is not only natural, but provides assistance in stressing the vine into producing its finest wines. By avoiding chemical fertilizers and herbicides, a condition of biodiversity in the soil allows the vines to naturally repel most disease through the presence of beneficial organisms and bacteria.
Winemaking
We believe that the best and most respectful winemaking is done in the vineyard prior to harvest. Our winemaking team spends countless hours working year-round with the vines to ensure that only the best quality fruit arrives at the winery. Once harvested, our team becomes caretakers of the wine, never adhering to a style or recipe, but reacting to the characteristics of each vintage and block to ensure the true expression of the vineyard sings through the wines.
Winery
Located minutes north of downtown Napa and nestled beside the Napa River, the HdV winery was built in 2003. The winery was designed and developed to accommodate every aspect of HdV’s winemaking philosophy of minimal intervention.