Tucked into the windswept hills of Napa Valley’s Los Carneros AVA, Hyde Vineyard is a name that resonates far beyond its quiet stretch of vine-covered land. Revered by winemakers and collectors alike, the vineyard has become synonymous with precision farming and site-driven wines that speak eloquently of their cool-climate origins. Founded by Larry Hyde in 1979, Hyde Vineyard helped define Carneros as a region capable of producing world-class Chardonnay, long before those varietals became fashionable in California.

Hyde’s vision was meticulous: to cultivate a vineyard that prioritized clonal diversity, soil health, and a profound understanding of how fog, wind, and sun converge in Carneros. Over the decades, the vineyard has become a source of fruit for some of Napa and Sonoma’s most revered labels, putting their signature on Hyde’s expressive fruit while preserving its unmistakable core.

Today, Hyde Vineyard remains a benchmark for elegance and restraint, a standard-bearer for Carneros’ unique terroir. Its undulating blocks, planted to a thoughtful mix of heritage clones and rootstocks, yield wines known for their complexity, vibrant acidity, and graceful aging potential. Chardonnay from the Hyde Vineyard invites drinkers into a deeper conversation about place and winemaking influence. This tasting explores Hyde Vineyard’s enduring legacy of expressive Chardonnay.

Bouchaine Vineyards, 2023 Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay
Lush yet structured, Bouchaine’s Hyde Chardonnay combines juicy stone fruit and florals with rich texture and power. Barrel fermented with lees aging and 75% malolactic fermentation, it leans toward opulence while preserving vibrancy. Compared to the more mineral-driven Hyde Estate and Ram’s Gate, and the leaner Miner, Bouchaine’s style is plush and generous, with 38% new French oak adding depth. It’s a standout for those who enjoy bold Carneros Chardonnay with finesse and flair.

Miner Family Winery, 2023 Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay
Miner’s Hyde Chardonnay showcases bright citrus and spiced pear with mineral lift and subtle oak. Made with 100% malolactic fermentation and full barrel aging, it’s richer than the Ram’s Gate style but more restrained than Bouchaine’s. Its clean, acid-driven finish aligns it with Ramey’s elegance, though with less new oak and aging time. A crisp, polished take on Hyde’s terroir, it balances freshness and weight with a subtle nod to old-world Chardonnay.

Larry Hyde Chardonnay, 2021 Hyde Vineyard Estate
Crafted by the vineyard’s founder, the 2021 Larry Hyde Chardonnay offers mouthwatering aromas of ripe peach, nectarine, and vanilla, with a palate of caramelized pineapple and citrus. Aged 11 months in 25% new oak, it sits stylistically between the minerality of the Ram’s Gate expression and the richness of Bouchaine’s version. Lower yields from drought conditions result in exceptional concentration and balance, offering both ripeness and verve — an expressive, legacy-driven Chardonnay from the hands that know the vineyard best.

Ramey Wine Cellars, 2023 Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay 
Ramey’s Hyde Chardonnay is the most age-worthy and traditional in structure, with 20 months in French oak (20% new) and full native yeast and malolactic fermentation. Clones include Old Wente and Calera, giving layered richness, flinty minerality, and savory complexity. It shares minerality with the Hyde Estate Chardonnay but is denser and more textured. This bottling stands apart for its depth and extended élevage — offering a cellar-worthy expression of Hyde Vineyard.

Ram’s Gate Winery, 2023 Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay
Ram’s Gate Winery’s bottling is the most vineyard-focused of the group. A blend of Musqué and Robert Young clones, it balances coconut-laden aromatics with broad texture. Unique for skipping malolactic on the Musqué, the wine retains crystalline purity and energy, with notes of citrus and minerality, combined with the Robert Young clone’s depth and richness. Compared to Ramey’s long-aging style or Bouchaine’s lush ripeness, Hyde’s version is pristine and precise—a deeply mineral-driven lens on the vineyard’s quiet power.

Together, these Chardonnays reveal Hyde Vineyard’s remarkable range — proof that great terroir speaks in many voices, each one expressive, elegant, and true to place.

___________________

Hyde Designate Chardonnays Currently Available 
Hyde Designate Chardonnays are held to exceptional standards: to carry the prestigious Hyde Vineyard name on the label, the wine must be made from 100% Hyde Vineyard fruit. Each bottling is personally vetted and approved by Larry Hyde himself, undergoing a three-year review process to ensure it truly reflects the character, quality, and integrity of the vineyard. This commitment guarantees that every Hyde Designate Chardonnay is an authentic expression of this iconic Napa site.

Hyde Vineyard Estate
2021 Larry Hyde Chardonnay
96 points, Wine Spectator
$90/750ml
1044 Los Carneros Ave, Napa

Bouchaine
2020 Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay
92 points, Joe Czerwinski - The Wine Advocate
$70/750ml
1075 Buchli Station Road, Napa

Miner Family Winery
2021 Chardonnay, Hyde Vineyard
$70/750ml
7850 Silverado Trail, Napa

Ramey Wine Cellars
2022 Chardonnay, Hyde Vineyard
97 points, Decanter
$85/750ml
25 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg

Ram’s Gate
2020 Chardonnay, Hyde Vineyard
$160/1.5L
28700 Arnold Drive, Sonoma

Stringer Cellars
2022 Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay
Los Carneros of Napa Valley
94 points - James Suckling
93 points - Wine Enthusiast
$65/750ml
1200 American Way, Windsor

Patz & Hall Winery
2022 Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay
Carneros, Napa Valley
$60/750ml
21200 8th Street East, Sonoma