My father, Walter, loved to grow everything from kiwi to oriental pears and more. In the 1970's he enlisted my help to plant 257 chardonnay vines. Throughout the 1980's our entire family would harvest the half acre of grapes and my father and I would make the wine; filling two barrels, which equaled 50 cases of wine.

Initially these wines were hard to drink, but with the help of my friend, Tom Rochioli, I developed a passion to understand everything about the vineyards and the process of making wine. This passion influenced my quest for growing World-class wines.

Since our first commercial vintage in 1996, I have learned with every harvest that you must listen to vine; react to Mother Nature and ALWAYS compromise quantity for quality.  

Six years ago I helped finance a vineyard in Lake County for my Vineyard Manager and his father. They planted sauvignon blanc, a varietal that thrives in a Lake County climate, with temperature swings from lows to highs of 40 to 50 degrees. The very cool nights (35-40 degrees in the middle of the summer) tend to retard sugar allowing for a long growing season.

The results were so good, I started purchasing a small amount of fruit from the 2 1/2 acres they farm, using my methods with low yields; leaf pulling and water conservation.   Stephen, Walter Hansel Winery

Produced from fruit purchased from a variety of sites and clone. The fermentation was very slow but steady and continued for well over a month. The result is a fabulous representation of this varietal with a vibrant nose and long, lingering finish.

A fantastic new Sauvignon Blanc and one of the best in California we've found this year!

Fresh pineapple, passion fruit, pink grapefruit, cream and liquid mineral are present and rich in the Walter Hansel Sauvignon Blanc. Excellent balance and acidity.

Fans of Rochioli and Duckhorn will rejoice over the great quality and price of this wine. Produced from fruit purchased from a variety of sites and clone. The fermentation was very slow but steady and continued for well over a month. The result is a fabulous representation of this varietal with a vibrant nose and long, lingering finish. 506 cases produced.

Walter Hansel was a lifelong wine enthusiast who had the vision to plant his estate's original 250 vines in 1978. Today, Stephen, Walter's son, has taken up where his father left off, pursuing his vision of producing world-class Burgundian-styled Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, all from the Russian River Valley. Steve Hansel's friend, famed winemaker Tom Rochioli, helped him in the early stages of his wine education by inviting him to work a couple of harvests at the Rochioli vineyards. Steve performed his first solo attempt in 1996 out of his garage.

Unoaked.

14% ABV