Wines
From inception, Hyde de Villaine has had one mandate, create wines that capture the true essence of the vineyard and deliver it to the glass…no exceptions. We strive to reach this goal in each vintage because it is our belief that an unadulterated expression of exceptional terroir is what separates good wines from truly great wines.
Due to the limited production of our wines, purchasing is reserved to our mailing list and allocation members. To receive a bi-annual 6-bottle offering, select ‘Request Allocation’. If you are a returning customer please log in to view your current allocation.
LE DÉBUT CHARDONNAY
Our Le Début Chardonnay, “the beginning” in French, is crafted from our youngest vines. No new oak is used during the fermentation and aging, resulting in a wine that showcases the bright and precise attributes of young Chardonnay. Notes of freshly sliced green apple, white pear, and citrus zest complement the delicate touches of flint and saline minerality. The use of a concrete egg coaxes density and a fuller expression from the fruit, while still preserving the focus and structure of the wine.
HDV CHARDONNAY
The HdV Chardonnay is our flagship wine, showcasing the legendary terroir of Hyde Vineyard. Two selections of mature Hyde Chardonnay vines build its frame: the small clusters of Wente bring out notes of citrus blossoms, yellow apple, and a touch of gunpowder while enhancing the complex mineral and savory characters. The Calera selection contributes balance, with fresh aromas of pear, peach blossom, citrus, and vibrant acidity.
The wine is fermented and aged in 15% new oak, foudres, and concrete eggs, for 18 months with no stirring, until bottled unfined and unfiltered.
YGNACIA PINOT NOIR
This Pinot Noir program was started in 2010, with the planting of a 3.2-acre block at Hyde Vineyard. It took over 10 years of careful study by our founders to select the perfect site and vine material to make this wine so unique.
Made with minimal whole clusters and new oak, the wine showcases the energy and concentration of the Carneros terroir, with remarkable notes of violet, lavender, hibiscus, and red fruits in the nose, and a long mineral frame on the palate. This unique and elegant expression of Pinot Noir is an exquisite example of balance and precision.
CALIFORNIO SYRAH
The name Californio pays tribute to the early California settlers, or Californios, of Spanish heritage who colonized the coastal areas of central and southern California during the 18th and 19th centuries. As descendants of the early Californios, we strive to present a Syrah that highlights one of California’s premier growing sites, Hyde Vineyard, while embodying the elegance of the Old World.
Savory exotic spices, rich plum, and blueberry aromas frame the heart of this cool climate Syrah. Cooled by the summer sea breezes off the Pacific Ocean, our ‘Californio’ Syrah fruit exemplifies the elegant strength that Hyde Vineyard grapes can achieve. Layers of smoked red meat, fresh fig, and black pepper, framed by subtle and refined tannins, draw you in for another sip.
BELLE COUSINE
One of our original offerings in 2000, the Belle Cousine is an homage to Pamela Fairbanks de Villaine for her part in uniting the Hyde and de Villaine families. As the two families were joined, our founders were inspired to blend two old-world, classic varietals, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. As with all of our wines, this offering is displaying restraint, discipline, and terroir. Aromatic spices, red and blue fruits, and salty minerality combine to display the elegance and finesse of our cool climate vineyards.
CARRILLO CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Sourced from several cool climate vineyards in the Napa Valley, our Carrillo Cabernet Sauvignon is a throwback to the early days of Cabernet in Napa. The aromas of red cherry, fresh French plum, cocoa, star anise and tobacco combine in a balanced perfume of Napa Valley. Balanced acidity and sweet round tannins provide structure allowing this wine to age for decades to come without overpowering the palate in its youth.