2018 Hudson Vineyards Estate Chardonnay Napa Valley

WSI93+ The 2018 Hudson Estate Chardonnay is a richly layered wine with robust aromas of toasted almonds, coco and tropical fruits followed by a lively, well-structured mouth-filling finish. Drink now or for the next 10 to 15 years. 

The fruit was picked by hand at night, whole cluster pressed, and barrel fermented utilizing native yeast in 60% new French oak barrels. The wine is stirred regularly and aged sur lie, then settled and bottled unfiltered and unfined after 14 months. An assemblage of 4 estate vineyards. 700 cases produced.

A thousand pairs of hands make Hudson Ranch, Vineyards and Wines the diverse farm it is today. Each member of our team, many of whom have worked with us since we started nearly thirty-five years ago, is employed year-round, as their special talents are necessary in farming Hudson Ranch all twelve months of the year. 

A Farmer’s approach: We walk the vineyards and ranch daily, responding to issues that may arise by choosing the best course of action, whether it be integrated pest management, daily analysis of weather and Carneros’ famed winds, the encouragement of native grasses, use of bird boxes, setbacks from waterways, the planting of trees and various restoration practices.  We spread 600 tons of compost annually throughout Hudson Ranch, and sow beneficial green manures such as bell beans, oats and peas; maintaining a permanent cover crop in the vineyards, which protects the vines and attracts a wide variety of beneficial insects to the entire property. And our water leaves the farm as clean as when it first arrived. We believe in healthy lands through proper management. This is our responsibility.