Hamel Family Wines

Hamel Family Wines in the Moon Valley region of Sonoma Valley shows up not only on Wine Enthusiast’s “10 Highly Sought After Wines” (alongside Screaming Eagle) but also Architect Magazine’s list of the most beautiful tasting rooms. We were not disappointed by the wines or the design.

Having never tasted their wines previously, we opted for the Estate Experience; at $60pp for a 1.5-2hour tour and tasting it was a bit more approachable than their other options.

Our guide was scripted but also knowledgeable. She let us look at the vines which were in the midst of veraison and when we said we were already acquainted with concrete amphoras, she quickly jumped to more esoteric wine facts only interesting to wine nerds.

Our two favorite wines had to be the 2018 Sauvignon Blanc and the 2017 Zinfandel. The Sauv Blanc was aged in neutral oak and tempered by the addition of 9% Semillon—one of my favorite varietals. It was an incredibly well-balanced wine that would perfect for sipping or light appetizers like the homemade ricotta and crackers they served us.

The 2017 Zinfandel is actually 11% field blend. It’s aged in 50% new french oak, which seems like a lot but this wine could handle it. It was refined. A “pinot lover’s zin” with notes of gingerbread. We could easily see this wine paired with a gourmet burger or swordfish with caper relish.

After mentioning my love for well made Cabernet Franc, we also had the opportunity to taste the 2014 Nun’s Canyons. It’s 53% Cabernet Sauvignon—the rest Cab Franc. Despite being aged for 26 months in new french oak, you could smell the wetness of the year. It tasted of chocolate, leather, pepper, tobacco, and red fruit.

Although we were impressed by the quality of the wine-making for several of the wines for sale, we didn’t end up purchasing any. We felt the prices of the wines reflected the price of the tasting room, not the wine-making.