2012 Hyde De Villaine (HdV) Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay

Hyde de Villaine is a venture between the Hyde family of Napa Valley and the de Villaine family of Burgundy. The two winemaking families are related by marriage. Laurence Hyde comes from a long-established California farming family, and since the 1970s he has been purchasing vineyards in Carneros and southern Napa Valley. Aubert de Villaine is the proprietor of his own domaine in Burgundy, A.&P. de Villaine, and the co-director of the legendary Domaine de la Romanee-Conti. The estate produces Chardonnay, a Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blend, and Syrah.

Carneros AVA, also known as Los Carneros, is at the southern end of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys at the top of the San Francisco Bay. The 8,000 vineyard acres are mostly planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, both of which thrive in the district’s cool, marine climate. Carneros became an AVA in 1983 and it has attracted foreign wine companies along with local producers. It has been especially appealing to European producers of sparkling wines including the giant Spanish cava producers Codorniu and Frexinet, and the French Champagne house Taittinger. Codorniu in Carneros is called Artesa, and Frexinet’s Carneros brand is Gloria Ferrer. Taittinger calls its Carneros winery Domaine Carneros. The European producers also make still wines in Carneros.

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.