Because many of our Hoopes fans love Chardonnay too, we set out to produce a wine that would complement our vision of Cabernet Sauvignon: a wine that blends our old-world approach to production and farming, with a true sense of Napa terroir. Although we have Chardonnay vineyards in Yountville, Anne and Jennifer felt that some of the most interesting terroir for Chardonnay comes from Carneros, and they had a vineyard in mind.

Jen has been working with Genny’s Vineyard for several vintages and believes it is one of the most exceptional vineyards that she has worked with. Genny’s Vineyard has been farmed by a local family for decades and is named after the family’s maternal grandmother. Carneros is a very difficult area to farm. It is a cooler area, with maritime influences so it is windy with thin soils. The vineyard is very low yield, with small berry size and slow grape development. These tough farming conditions nevertheless build distinctive character.

Genny’s Vineyard is a perfectly characterful chardonnay by Spencer Hoopes from a vineyard in Carneros with arguably the most geological diversity for chardonnay in the valley. Here the grape takes on the minerals, elements and all the variegation it can gather with great flavour intensity and proper single-vineyard focus. There’s just so much to like about the excess of fruit, the precision and the restraint. Drink 2020-2025.

Awards- 93 points Wine Align