Hanzell Vineyards

Wow! This winery was a show stopper! Ursula gave us an unforgettable tour- beautiful views and very informative. She even pointed out great photo ops (which we appreciated on our girls trip)! Our tasting was delicious with stunning views! Highly recommend!

We had a great experience at Hanzell Vineyards! Ursula gave an informative and fun tour, providing insight into the vineyard’s history and the quality of their winemaking process. The wine tasting was also excellent. Highly recommend! 5 stars!

Ten years after our honeymoon we opened the bottle of Hanzell Chardonnay we purchased. It's as amazing as we remembered! Love the winery and the wine! 🍷

We loved our visit to this winery! Tony led us through a tour of the winery before our private tasting. We learned so much about wine. The tour and tasting was so laid back, the views were immaculate and the wine was great! Would recommend this winery to anyone interested.

Our first of many and the one I think of most fondly. Tony was a phenomenal host- a wealth of knowledge and fun! I’m still thinking about that Chardonnay and hoping I can find time to go back and buy it. Our weather was less than ideal (pouring) but the tour was primarily inside and so informative to the experience. Wish we had longer to taste- we gave ourselves 1.5 hrs (so we could get lunch from Sonoma Deli and head to Donum) and we should have blocked a full 2 hours.

We had a great time at Hanzell today. The whole experience was seamless. Peter, our host, picked us up from the parking lot, and took us to the tasting platforms that had a beautiful view of the vineyards. The set up was really nice, rustic and so relaxing. The wines were really good too. The Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2018 Chardonnay really stood out for me.

Hanzell was our first tasting of the trip, and turned out to be one of our favorites. They were accommodating when we let them know we were running late due to a flight delay, and had us seated in a separate area that made us feel like we were the only ones at the property. Our tasting was very intimate, the wines were delicious, and the setting and scenery were extremely photogenic. I highly recommend scheduling a tasting here!

If you’re going to Sonoma- this place is a MUST! My friend and I are travel nurses (I am living in the San Jose area on assignment) and she stopped by on the way down to LA to see me. I booked a wine reservation at this place and they did not disappoint. The wine was amazing (obviously), the host, Tony, was knowledgeable and personable. The views.. well let’s just say you drive up the mountain and get to sit outside and see the valley. This place was incredible and I was amazed with how beautifully kept this vineyard was. Truly an unforgettable experience. Also- Tony- thanks for the amazing pictures of me and my friend- I already have one framed in my room! There is also a very friendly cat that keeps your company as you enjoy your wine :)

Wow what an incredible experience this was. The vineyard currently offers small sized production Natural winemaking. The wine, but especially the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are excellent - not too oaky and are at a very reasonable price points. The winery itself is full of character, the building has remained largely unchanged with all original equipment onsite since it was built, this was pretty cool and unique. The main building also offers breathtaking views over their Chardonnay vineyards, perhaps even the best views of vineyards in Sonoma going! You can also enjoy the occasional sound of woodpeckers and glimpses of vultures circling the vineyards. We had a Tour & Tasting scheduled and were hosted by Ursula who was super friendly, knowledgable and passionate about Hanzell and winemaking. She showed us the wine caves and talked us through our tasting, a credit to the winery and the industry if you ask me.

Reserved an 11:00 AM tasting on a Saturday morning for my partner and myself. It was not busy at all, so I recommend going in the morning vs afternoon. The weather was perfect -- it wasn't too hot and the view from our table was stunning! Our host, Ursula, was extremely kind and very knowledgeable about the winery and its history. What was most interesting to me was that Hanzell is entirely organic and does not use any machinery in their wine making process. They utilize their many farm animals to do a lot of the work. I am usually not a fan of whites, especially Chardonnay, but I actually enjoyed theirs so much that we ended up bringing two bottles home! They also had a cat named Ed who joined us for a little lounging at napping at our table. He was so sweet and social -- make sure to say hi if you spot him. Overall such a peaceful wine tasting experience with amazing ambiance. It's kind of a trek from the main road, so definitely plan to drive or Uber up the mountain. Once you reach the top, you feel like you're in a private oasis away from the busy city. It is definitely my new favorite spot for wine tasting. Highly recommend!

Came for a tasting, and although we arrived early they were kind enough to seat us. We had the upper floor to ourselves where we had the chance to look out at the expanse of the vines and the mountains. The wine was really exceptional. My husband, who's not a huge wine fan, even insisted the wine was great and that we buy a bottle. Come here!

Beautiful views and wines! I loved learning about how the farm the property and how the wines are made.

This is a hidden gem!!! I feel almost guilty getting the word out, but then again, it's so incredible that I want others to enjoy it! It's up in the hills in Sonoma and you have to go up a windy road and then enter by a private gate where they buzz you in. PLEASE NOTE, it's appointment only. They do fill up as they give a very personal and intimate tasting. It's best to book well in advance (we booked our tasting a month out to be safe). The tasting area is a beautiful old barn that has huge doors that opens up to the most majestic vineyard view. The tasting and overall service was simply outstanding. We fell in love with the wines and the stories and the incredible history of the winery. We became wine club members it was that special - we are very picky with where we join as it's a commitment, but this one is one we are super excited about. The wines are so lovely and elegant. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

I came here with a group 5 to celebrate my birthday and this was my favorite winery out of the whole trip! The scenery was amazing where we got to sit right next to the vineyards and enjoy our wine while getting sun kissed as it was in the high 80s that day. Our host was super knowledgeable in detailing the history of the wine and also patiently answered any questions we had. It was truly a very enjoyable experience as we learned about the history of the vineyard. Our host was also friendly enough to help us take some group photos to document our happy times during COVID ! I really enjoy the Chardonnay as I am a huge fan of white wine. If you like Chardonnay and a lighter Pinot, then this tasting is for you!

Super cute winery! It is quite far off the main road. They have reservations for intimate tastings. There are approximately 5 or 6 outdoor tables overlooking the winery. The tables are ready with glasses so your group can immediately get started. We got to meet the winemaker Jason upon arrival. The sommelier Tony was very knowledgeable and friendly. The winery is big on chardonnay and other varietals. Overall we enjoyed our visit. Please note that the bathrooms are outdoors.

All the wines were great, obviously the most important thing! The setting itself was beautiful and the lower room we had was conceptually very neat. They clearly try to keep it very exclusive by limited tastings and each group of tasters has their own space BUT I'm just not sure that's my personal style. It was a perfect sunny day and we were "stuck" in this colder cask room (albeit with a beautiful view of the vineyard). Maybe better for a larger group but there were just two of us so it was a little boring.

I can't say enough positive things about this place. Before I get into the delicious wine, their customer service is beyond par.

OMG best tasting yet. Organic sustainable winery. And what an amazing setting and view! Tony was so gracious and answered all our questions. We are in love with their wine!

Four of us on a reserved tasting. The drive up to the vineyard is quite an experience, as it is off the beaten path. The setting of the old tasting building overlooking the Sonoma Valley is impressive. Our host was casual yet very knowledgeable. We tasted several wines and ended up buying a few bottles to bring back to Florida. Love this place!

Super informative experience, beautiful property and views, and amazing wine. Definitely recommend adding this to your list if you're trying to decide where to go on your Sonoma trip.

Really great experience! The tasting cabanas located just adjacent to the vineyard were the perfect way to take in the beauty of this estate vineyard, the sun and the shade when needing a respite from the Sonoma sun. Peter, our host, was warm and had a lot of great information to share about the Hanzell estate and the wines, knowing when to share and when to allow the natural beauty of the wines and the vineyard engage the senses. We tasted through a couple Chardonnay's, Pinot noir and a Cabernet Sauvignon. All were great, elegant and refreshing with the vineyards rather than the hand of the winemaker taking center stage. They all in their early lives had plenty to say but with time in the bottle are sure to reveal additional nuance and complexity. Highly recommended!!!

Great wines but your basically pay$65 for one glass of wine $260 for 4 of us. Better off buying 3 bottles and having a picnic. How many times can you hear how wine is made.

Best. Easily, the best. I'm not a huge wine fan (toured at my colleagues request), but bought $1k worth of wine. The natural process, fantastic tasting wine, and genuine concern and enthusiasm the staff show make this a lifetime memory for me. Nicole, a sommelier, was wonderful. Already booking my return in August.

Absolutely. Stunning. I will never forget this experience. Cannot recommend the $65pp full tour and tasting option. Nicole, a sommelier who guided us on our basically private tour and tasting (no other party was joining us during out time slot), was so knowledgeable about the winery's history and the wines we were tasting, and genuinely passionate. My family and I loved this experience and cannot recommend enough. Pro tip: make Hanzell the LAST part of your trip, because I do not think any other vineyard trip can top this.

Very intimate and peaceful vineyard. Not your typical busy winery were it is crowded and you wander around the vicinity. Appointment only Founded in the 1950s 4 acres of grapes Stunning view Caves (dope) Tour guide Alaina was very informal and made our experience wonderful. Tasting of wines?? Fruitful robust flavors Thank you again Hanzell!!

If you want the most relaxed, informative and gorgeous vineyard tasting Hanzell is the place! Andrew was our farmer and we loved his company. He was so incredibly full of knowledge and delightful to work with. The Chardonnay is the best we have ever had! Michael McNeill was also so nice to us, the hospitality was unmatched. Thank you for having us. We will be back soon!

Amazing visit here with my boyfriend and bestie, from the start to finish. We were greeted by the time we pulled in to this exclusive estate, by appointment only, tucked away from it all. The beautiful Vineyards, the kitty, the cellar, the fantastic and iconic wines of Hanzell Vineyards, and the personal guide from the wine educator, made this place a must visit. One of the best experiences ever, and I've been to quite a few wineries. If you love Burgundy, this is as good as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay can get, make a reservation and you will thank me later.

We were lucky enough to be able to enjoy a tasting here. We learned so much from our educator, Tony, who was so personable and knowledgeable about the vineyard, wine making process, and all that Hanzell had to offer. While this was our first trip to Sonoma, it certainly will not be our last trip to Hanzell.

The most excellent tasting experience!!! I live in San Francisco and visit my family up in Sonoma frequently, trying out a few wineries in the area each time. This is far and beyond the BEST experience we've had in the area. Hanzell has designed an intimate and luxurious tasting area among the vines. Each wine was absolutely delicious, unique, and accompanied by amazing stories of the terroir, history, and wine making process. Tony was an amazing host, and so generous with us time and knowledge. This is the place to go if you want to relax and spend a blissful few hours in Sonoma tasting absolutely delicious wines.

Lovely drive up with one of the most beautiful views of all the wineries I've visited. Ambiance is stunning (see my photos). We had a private tasting and tour for 6. The guide was fine but was not especially hospitable given we purchased almost $1,000 worth of wine (he had offered tastings of the 2009 wine if we purchased the membership but failed to actually give us that tasting).

One of my wine-passionate colleagues is a Hanzell ambassador and insisted on setting my friend and I up for a tour/tasting during our trip to Sonoma. What a treat! I'm so thankful he did because we had a wonderful experience! The tours are by appointment only, and they are private so they're pretty perfect for anyone seeking a more intimate or romantic atmosphere. The winding road to reach Hanzell is long, so when you reach the top the views are incredible. We arrived a bit early, but our host Ben was very gracious and soon we were walking the vineyard, learning about the oldest pinot noir vines in the country. He also took us offroading to see the rest of the grounds, and give us some more history. I was particularly taken with their French farmhouse, complete with purple flowers cascading down the side. Flawless. We did a quick walk through their wine cave, got to check out where they make and bottle the wine, then settled into the library for a tasting. He set out three glasses for us - two chardonnay, one pinot noir. They were all fantastic (of course) and my friend bought a bottle of chardonnay to take with us. He even gave us some really good recommendations for lunch and other worthwhile wineries before we set off. I definitely hope to visit again in the future. Thanks Hanzell!

I'm a Sonoma native and have tasted the majority of wines produced in the valley. That being said Hanzell is producing some of the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in all of Sonoma County. In fact, they've been doing it since the 1950s with style and grace. I'll mention that this is a "by appointment only "tasting so you need to plan ahead as you can't just show up. They are happy to accommodate given advance notice. The actual Vineyard and property site is one of the most beautiful in all of Sonoma. It overlooks the area of Sonoma mountain and the valley down below. The tour starts with a viewing of their wine caves followed by a walk through the vineyards. You're in awe of everything the whole time. After about 30 minutes you're taken to the old winery facility which is now the tasting room and seated in a room with such rich history it makes your head spin. Fun fact. Hanzell were the first wine producers in the US to use temperature controlled fermentation vats. This way they were able to control the fermentation process. The tasting consists of 3 to 4 different wines from the property all being Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. If you're a fan of these varietals and a big fan of French wines I'd highly recommend coming here because the wines show so much restraint with fruit and they are arguably my favorite Pinots and Chards in California. I was also able to purchase a birth year wine (1982) from their library selections! It was when they used to make Cabernet Sauvignon on the property and the wine is still standing the test of time. All in all, if you're visiting Sonoma make sure this place is on your list of stops. The service is amazing the winds are exceptional and the view from the top is pretty great!

Legitimately the best wine tour I've ever been to. I'm not a wine connoisseur (although I definitely enjoy my wine), but my boyfriend and I have been to a lot of wine tastings and tours in our time. We definitely didn't want to spend an hour going through the steps of winemaking with some huge tour group, so I picked Hanzell from a sommelier's recommendation. I was so glad I did. Hanzell is nestled on top of a hill, up a winding dirt road. Since we came on a weekday, we basically got a private tour. Peter was very friendly, chatty and knew a lot about the different types of grapes and the history of the vineyard. He also didn't seem to mind our endless questions, which was definitely a plus. I had originally thought the farm animals would be a little cheesy but boy was I wrong - they were one of the highlights of the tour! Oh, and the wine wasn't bad either! I didn't think I enjoyed chardonnays but I loved the ones we had here. I would come back again.

Incredible wine, friendly staff, and a beautiful estate. We were the only ones scheduled for a tour in the afternoon, so we got a private tour. Peter was extremely friendly and very knowledgeable. He took us around the estate, including the six different vineyards, explaining the history behind each one. We got to try the Chardonnay, the Hanzell Farms Chardonnay (a real treat), and a Pinot Noir that was out of this world. Pro tip: If you buy two bottles of wine, a tasting fee is waived! S]

Having great memories from my first visit here, my interest was piqued when my brother mentioned that his tasting experience with his friends was a bit...different. Sadly, my return visit left me with disappointment and (quite literally) a sour taste in my mouth. We went with the Heritage Winery Tour and were joined by another group of folks with one of them also being a return visitor. While the tour was solid for newcomers, I noticed that it was surprisingly difficult to carry a conversation with our host and the new staff member she was training. Most unfortunately, that just became exponentially worse during our tasting. Aside from both the whites and reds being warmer than their ideal serving temperature, it was a serious struggle carrying a conversation with our hosts - she just couldn't carry it at all and the trainee was just very reserved it seemed. What's worse? The latest vintages fell terribly short of expectations compared to the 2009 and 2006 library selection that I tasted during my first visit. The tannins in the current pinot noir vintage were painfully grippy to the point of being outright harsh on the finish. And having mentioned that library selection that was graciously poured for us, we were left hanging this time when I asked about possibly tasting the de Brye chardonnay listed on our line-up. While I certainly don't expect extra pours, they are always welcome and I was surprised that we didn't get the chance to taste the de Brye despite being return visitors. In fact, our host didn't even know we had been to the winery before in spite of having that specifically noted on my reservation... Simply put, this was one of the most disappointing tour & tastings I've had yet given the awkward conversation and lackluster wines. At least at a tasting bar, one can make his or her way through the portfolio and wrap things up sooner than later. On the bright side, a pour of Pliny the Elder afterward made everything better.

I was a welcomed guest of Hanzell Last week after contacting Candida on Cellar Pass. This is an appointment only property. I made my way up a very windy, one lane road up the superbly perched tasting room at the top of the Mayacamas Mountain range overlooking over the entire Sonoma Valley Region, and from a vantage point in the vineyard, you can actually see the San Fransisco skyline on a clear day! Upon arrival I was greeted by Ben, (and Pontiac the Cat) whose dad became the resident winemaker in 1973, so Ben has spent most of his lifetime involved with the property, knows the history intimately and relays it well in the tour he gave to me and another couple. He drove us thru parts of the vineyard, in a Land Rover, explaining the appellations and nuances of the soil that give the grapes their character. We even tasted the pinot grapes beginning to ripen on the vine! We then toured the cool, aromatic cellars and the bottling area. The tasting was held at an elegant sit down table and is more formal than your typical tasting, which actually allows you to focus on the wine. We were treated to a lineup of 3 wines, two chardonnays and a 2013 Pinot, which I took a bottle home. Ben explained it would lay down nicely and suggested opening in 2017. The tasting room/cellar is exceptional as it is lined with their super vintage collection including 50 yr plus vintages! I inquired how I might be able to purchase a true vintage wine, Ben explained first I would have to become a wine club member, then write a compelling letter stating why a certain vintage is important to me, which I plan to do!

My bf and I had the loveliest time here! We signed up for a 90 minute tour of their wine caves and the rest of their farm. I had a blast petting the big puppers! Our guide drove us around their vineyards, telling us the story of how Hanzell came to be and what their overall viewpoint/goals are for the vineyard. After the tour, we got some tastings of their white wines, specifically the chardonnay. I was never a white wine fan before this! It was so, so good, even though I used to only drink reds. The best part about the tasting was that Pontiac, a cat who lives there, kept us company the entire time. I got to pet a cat while I drank wine!!!! I guess if you're allergic to cats or just are scared/hate cats, this might not be the best place...

Picking a winery to tour and swirl is like picking a favorite wine, everyone has their own taste and likings. If you are looking for a private quaint setting on top of a Sonoma hill, with a rustic unpretentious winery that does just a few things, but does them masterfully. Hanzell is the place to be. Upon securing reservation for a party of 3 on a beautiful Sunday morning, we arrived at the winery, reclusely located at the end of a road behind the gates that opens on a per visitor basis. From the moment when the gates slowly opens for you, you feel transposed to the countryside of France, leaving whatever other worldly concerns behind. The view at the top is absolutely stunning. There is no words to describe the fantastic waves of colors that's comprised solely of grape vines. Chardonnay and Pinot noir are the signatures of this winery, as they boast the oldest continuously producing chardonnay vineyard and the oldest pinot noir vineyard in North America. Our estate educator/guide/photographer met us at the bottom of the charming heritage house, she then ushered us around the vineyard, cellar, production, and the wine library, citing history of the vineyard as well as tremendously interesting facts about the production process. Before we headed up to upper floor of the heritage house for our private session of wine tasting. Three pours of 2 chardonnay and one pinot noir, she talked us through the different wines and let us savor from one to the other and back. The fragrance of the pinot noir is amazing. It was a fantastic experience and quite the contrast from the imposing castle/touristy experience I had at Napa last year. As a family, I definitely prefered this one more for its wonderful elegance and privacy.

Peter was a great host during our visit today- we were hoping for but weren't expecting some history and information about wine tasting and he took the time to (from a distance!) explain to us about the winemaking process, answer questions, and just chat. The wine was delish- the pinots were our favorites, and the view and vibe of this place was wonderful. The website says you get to taste 3 wines but it's 3 types of wines, 5 total tasting in our case. Would definitely recommend coming to this fabulous vineyard.

I keep a "wish list" in Evernote sorted by region and varietal and Hanzell Chardonnay has always been towards the top of the list. When planning winery visits for our recent trip, I wanted something unique and intimate and Hanzell absolutely delivered. The drive up to the winery takes you up some narrow, winding roads which were so fun to drive (although be respectful when driving through the residential part). There is a private gate that opens for you when you pull up and you'll be greeted at your car when you park and given a bottle of water. Our tour guide for the morning was Alaina, who showed us around the vineyards in a Range Rover and let us taste some of the grapes still on the vines. Since Hanzell is located on the side of the Mayacamas Mountain Range, the views you'll see up there are absolutely breathtaking. Make sure you bring your camera! Since it was just my girlfriend and I, Alaina let us ask all the questions we wanted and took plenty of pictures of us. Our Instagram followers were very pleased. We got to check out the wine cave and also the wine-making equipment before going to a small private room back in the main house. On tasting were the Sebella Chardonnay (their more affordable offering), as well as their flagship Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were absolutely knockouts. I can honestly say the best of each varietal I've tried thus far. Alaina also offered us refills which is almost unheard of at a tasting for $80-$100 bottles. If you buy 3 bottles, they will waive one of the tour charges ($65). If you live in the East Coast, they have a distribution center in New York and offer overnight shipping if you just can't wait. Their wine club is a good deal, priced at 15% off and you get a 50% discount on shipping. You can choose 6 bottles of chardonnay and 6 bottles of pinot noir, or make them 12 bottles of one varietal. Wine club members have access to special offerings as well as free tastings at future visits to the winery. Trivia: Hanzell's President, Jason Jardine, previously worked at Flowers, another great Sonoma winery known for their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. If you're looking for a memorable winery visit during you stay in wine country, you absolutely must check out Hanzell. All of these 5 star reviews don't lie. We will definitely be back next summer.

Their Chardonnays are awesome and the Pinot is not far behind. We sat outside for the tasting overlooking Sonoma Valley, while Edsel (the cat) was laying on the table watching us. Can't get any better. The winery is beautiful and the staff is super friendly and knowledgeable. Our favorite is the 2015 Hanzell Vineyards Chardonnay.

Gorgeous property and a delightful tour. Lots of photo-ops. We learned a lot and loved all of the animal life - they use the cutest little sheep to help fertilize the soil! And if that wasn't enough they have two herding dogs that are even more adorable. Finally there is a cat named Pontiac that helps you sign the guest book! The only downer? They only had 3 wines to taste. I still recommend it though. Highly.

We had a wonderful wine tour with our group. Peter is very knowledgeable and fun. Highly recommended. Beautiful location. Unique and fun wines. Don't let the narrow road deter you. It's worth the drive up.

If you love French-style Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, you'll enjoy their wines as these are the only two types of wine they produce. They are good to drink now, but they are more of collector wines to keep around. We made reservations in advance as they are by appointment only ($45 per person). Give yourself some extra time to get up here as you do drive up a private hilly road. We were greeted by our Estate Educator, Gary who was very friendly and knowledgeable. It was only my husband and I so it was nice to have a private tour. He drove us to the various vineyards and explained the different climates at each as well as the history behind the Hanzell name. It was very informative. The caves and the bottling area was nice and clean. Apparently, they do everything on site here including bottling and labeling, which I thought was pretty impressive. In the end, we got to sit in a nice wine room with a Sonoma view (which was the barn that was originally used to bottle wines) for some tasting. The room was filled with a collection of vintage wines hanging on the walls. We got to try the following: - 2011 "Sebella" Chardonnay - citrus aromas, still young so good summer wine - 2010 Chardonnay - my favorite of the 3 tastings, smooth French style chardonnay, easy to drink, good to drink now or can keep for 10 years - 2006 Pinot Noir - fine tannins, nice sophisticated finish We happily left with a bottle of the 2010 Chardonnay. Hope to visit them again in the future.

Oldest Chardonnay vines in the state and some of the oldest Pinot Noir vines on the mountain too. Unique history, unique terroir and incredibly age worthy wines. Not for the wine novice nor the tourist- That's why there's a castle in Napa- A premium and exclusive experience highlighted with tons of relevant history so make this your first stop if you can get in. Trust me, you'll only share Hanzell wines with your Very best friends!

#lategram - a friend of mine was able to get us a private tour & it was the most interesting experience. The gentleman walked us through the entire winery & stopped for a tasting - it was exquisite! It was truly unforgettable! The entire staff were accommodating & honest. They all appeared happy & genuinely glad to be apart of this winery. I'd love to go back! The landscaping was breathtaking!

Incredible hilltop view and unbeatable personal attention; Hanzell is not to be missed! We will definitely go back again to do one of the other tour experiences. This was our favorite spot in Sonoma. Requires an appointment.

Sorry Hanzell, we came for a tasting and did not enjoy the wine. Not to our liking. Nice little tasting room though.

Hanzell Vineyards felt like a dream! It was the most beautiful vineyard I have ever been to. It was my first time visiting Sonoma, and there was so many vineyards to choose from. The reviews and photos on Yelp helped my decision to pick Hanzell. I must say, getting to Hanzell was a bit scary since it's very high up but the views are spectacular. We payed for a public tour, but since we were the only ones scheduled for that day, we got the private tour. The girl that gave us the tour (I forgot her name), was so nice and told us every little detail about Hanzell. I will definitely recommend this vineyard to anyone.

We visited Hanzell Vineyards for our 15th wedding anniversary adventure. Besides the beautiful views and warm and hospitable staff, we thoroughly enjoyed learning about the history of the vineyard. The wine was superb, the view was exceptional, and the staff knowledgable. As first-timers to a vineyard, this was indeed an unforgettable experience.

Beautiful vineyard up in the hills, enchanting feeling. We did the "Heritage" tasting tour, and the whole experience was excellent. We were greeted by Zakk upon arrival, and he was very informative about the history of the place and the winery. The tour was well paced and we finished by tasting their wines in a cozy room. As expected, proper Riedel glassware. The wines were gorgeous, very Burgundian in style. A.

What really sets Hanzell's apart from others in the area are its breathtaking views. They are by appointment only, and they offer two kinds of experiences: a private tour of vineyards & their grounds + a tasting for two ($60/each) or you can join a group of up to six (they could all be in your party for a tour of their grounds and a tasting ($45/each). We did the second option and my husband and I went with another couple, and our group was paired with two more visiting. The other party of two arrived about 20 minutes late to the two hour tour, and our group arrived around 30 minutes late to the tour. It's many windy roads to get there, so definitely pad in extra time. Our tour guide was very friendly, he's been at Hanzell around five years. He showed us around the wine caves (naturally stay within a 5 degree or so temperature range) and also informed us a bit more on the whole wine-making process. We finished the short tour in the wine library, which is immaculately decorated. There are bottles of wine lining every case and wall, and beautiful old-world furniture to match. We were then brought upstairs to take in the view - it is a gorgeous landscape of vineyard and mountain-view to take in. Our tasting was also beautifully laid out in an adjoining room. Each person had three pours of wine (two whites, one red), along with a tasting card laid out next to each glass of wine, a pen, extra paper and a glass of water. The wines were good (I did brief tastes of each and then spit them out since I was driving), but I wouldn't say any stood out as ones I'd particularly seek out again. It'd have been nice to have a cheese platter and nuts or something else included here, as $45 felt a bit much for the three pours and very short tour (granted we arrived late, but I got the feeling most of our time would've been sitting sipping the wine, regardless of when we arrived). There are so many wineries in Sonoma/Napa that I don't know that I'd run back here again, but we'd certainly consider another trip.

To start with what a beautiful location, my son was here from out of town and I wanted to give him a one stop winery tour. The location and our private tour guide were both 5 stars, she drove us around and was very knowledgeable. After we saw the property and the facilities we went to the beautiful tasting room. We started out tasting the lower end Chardonnay wine. Not very good. Next we had the Hanzell Chardonnay much better but I won't pay much more than $ 30 so that was out. Next what I had been waiting for the Pinot Noir my taste buds were ready, All I can say is I was very disappointed in the wine. Let alone the price of $90 plus dollars

We had the most incredible visit to Hanzell Vineyards! We chose the $65/pp option which included a driving tour of the property with our guide, Whitney. The views are unparalleled and the vineyard was not crowded at all, yet it is quite close to downtown Sonoma Square. We got to see the vineyard which included meeting the vineyard dogs, pigs, and sheep! We learned about the agriculture practices and toured their gorgeous, quaint cave. Finally, our experience ended with a tasting of the best wines we had out of the 8 wineries we visited in Napa/Sonoma. The 2015 "Sebella" Chardonnay and the 2014 Hanzell Vineyards Pinot Noir were our favorites. This is a MUST visit but shhhh... don't tell too many people about this hidden gem! In the mean time, we are waiting by our mailbox for our shipped wines to arrive.

As frequent visitors to the wine country, we have visited dozens of fantastic (and more not-so-fantastic) wineries. Hanzell stands out as our all-time favorite vineyard, wine tour and tasting. While we have had many stand-out experiences, the personalized attention, passion for responsible viticulture and farming practices, incredible wines and knowledgeable guides make for a 2 hour journey that will rank among the most memorable of your trip. If you are lucky enough to get Nicole, you are in for a treat! She is amazing, vastly knowledgeable, and friendly. Thank you for the incredible experience, Nicole!

One of the hidden gems in Sonoma. I am hesitant to post a positive review here because I sincerely hope they keep this genuine authentic vibe that draw us to them. A coincidental visit brought us there, we became instant members and are enjoying their wines so much!

My boyfriend and I managed to get a reservation the day before we arrived in Sonoma, and I'm so glad we did. Our 3:00 tour leader, Dawn, was extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the history of the winery - from the first owner to the current family who runs the place to the grape varietals and the environment they thrive in. Not only could she rattle off many facts about Hanzell; she also seemed genuinely happy to share the winery with us. Dawn the beautiful grounds off in a Range Rover because the weather was just shy of 100 degrees. We toured the vines, the outdoor facilities, the barrel aging cellars, and the library, where she poured us two tasty samples of chardonnay and one of pinot noir and showed us their oldest bottle (1965!). I was impressed by the reverence for wine that permeates Hanzell and would recommend the tour to anyone with a real appreciation for enology.

we were greeted at our car upon parking and treated to a 1.5+ hour tour of the vineyard and cellar. While we aren't wine experts our tour guide was clearly very knowledgable and let us ask a million questions! The grounds are quiet and beautiful, and even offer a view of San Francisco far far away! The tasting room was very elegant. We enjoyed some lovely conversation with the tour guide while we tasted. The wines were beautiful, though a bit out of the price range of the average amateur Sonoma visitor (75-98 a bottle). That said, this is absolutely worth the pricier tour and tasting fee because you get a much more intimate experience and there is so much history here!