Hudson Vineyards

Hudson Vineyards is one of the most legendary and influential grape sources in all of Napa Valley, a 170-acre Carneros property whose fruit has appeared in wines by Kongsgaard, Kistler, Hyde de Villaine, Patz and Hall, and dozens of other prestigious producers for over four decades. Lee Hudson, who purchased the property in 1981 and has been farming it ever since, is recognized as one of the finest viticulturists in California. The decision to produce wines under his own label means visitors can finally taste what the master grower keeps for himself from the vineyard that supplies so many famous names.

The 170-acre estate is planted to an extraordinary diversity of varieties including Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, and numerous others, making it one of the most varietally diverse single properties in Napa Valley. The Carneros terroir, cooled by San Pablo Bay breezes, provides the maritime influence that gives Hudson fruit its signature freshness and acidity. Lee Hudson's four decades of farming knowledge have optimized every block for its specific variety and microclimate.

Winemaker Franco Pianzola produces estate wines that showcase the vineyard's range. The Chardonnay, from the site that supplies some of California's most coveted white wine, is rich and mineral. The Syrah shows the peppery, cool-climate character that the variety develops in Carneros. Each wine reveals a different facet of the 170-acre estate's extraordinary diversity.

Tastings are by appointment on the Carneros estate, where Lee Hudson's vineyard is the undeniable star. The $65 fee includes wines from one of the most important vineyard sites in California.

Hudson matters because the vineyard has been a silent partner in dozens of California's most celebrated wines for decades. The estate label finally puts the Hudson name on the bottle, allowing visitors to taste the source material that has powered so many famous brands.