Hamel

“Hamel Winery was one of the highlights of our trip. The property itself is absolutely stunning, with breathtaking views that make the experience feel special from the moment you arrive. A huge thank you to Emily, who walked us through the history of the winery and made the tasting feel much more personal than your typical wine experience. Getting to see the cave and learn about the winemaking process added so much depth to the visit. The wines were fantastic, and as someone who typically gravitates toward whites, I was pleasantly surprised by how approachable and enjoyable their reds were. They were balanced, easy to drink, and a great reminder not to overlook reds just because they’re outside your usual comfort zone.”

“If you are truly going to splurge on a tasting experience while in California Wine Country, do the Chef’s Experience at Hamel. Make it the only tasting you book for the day so you can appreciate the totality of the event. From the moment you pass through the gate and arrive at the Estate House, you know this is going to be a totally different tasting experience. Everything is designed to take your breath away. Stepping out onto the patio from the main tasting room to be greeted with the stunning vista views. Being led into the cave. Watching your host roll open the doors to the beautiful library, perfectly set for the tasting. Enjoying each exquisitely crafted bite that is so well paired with the accompanying wine you know instantly the day will get a lot more expensive because you are leaving with lots of bottles! While Hamel’s Chef’s Experience is not inexpensive, it provides tremendous value and the most complete experience in the area.”

“Above & Beyond Wine tastings are one thing…An “Experience” is another. Emily with Hamel Winery made our tasting an experience. She was filled with education and knowledge not only on the wine itself, but down deep into soil taxonomy and how Hamel goes above and beyond. Most notably is that they do not irrigate the soil. They have allowed the roots of the vines to bore deep for each vines nutrients. Whereas most water and the roots stay within a few feet, Hamel’s patience in this process has pushed those roots over 15’. Being a Geologist/ Geophysicist, this is where my total geek comes out and made our visit such a wonder time. Now….The Wine…WOW! Once one understands the overwhelming task Hamel took on to make this winery unique through its soil techniques of growing, even to the point of harvesting different polygons per soil conditions, one finds this shines through in the wine flavor profile. Planning - This is not a winery you show up to and walk in. Appointment required. It’s gated. You have to schedule your time with them for good reason and too much to list. All was such a great time and worth making this winery a destination of destinations in the region.”

“We had an outstanding visit to the Hamel Family Winery! Robert was our guide and has a thorough knowledge of every aspect of Sonoma and Napa Valley wines and what makes a great wine. The facility is beautiful and absolutely first class. Our tasting room overlooked the vineyard and we were shown every aspect of the wine making process, including their custom aging caves, cement and wood barrels. We even got to watch some of the harvested grapes being processed since it was late September (they were delicious!). Robert clearly explained how Hamel carefully grows and selects grapes for each type of wine, how they study every vineyard’s soil and how dry-farming makes their wines special. We even got a special visit from George Hamel, the winery’s founder who clearly takes great pride in producing a superior product that can be tasted in each sip. Don't miss the Hamel Family Winery if you are in Sonoma!”

“We had the Chef's experience and it was absolutely jaw-dropping. The wines by themselves were already incredible but with the pairing it was elevated to another level. Our host, Richard, also made the experience even better by being knowledgeable, passionate and kind. It was the highlight of our trip to Sonoma and Napa valley. We highly recommend this vineyard.”