Hunnicutt Wines

Hunnicutt Wines is a small-production label focused on bold, concentrated reds that push the boundaries of ripeness and extraction, producing wines that are unapologetically powerful and designed to make an impression. Founded in 2003 by Eric Hunnicutt, who left a career in technology to pursue winemaking, the label sources from top Napa Valley vineyards to produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and a proprietary red blend called Fearless that lives up to its name. The wines are not for the faint of heart; they are dark, dense, and built on the principle that more is more.

The winery sources from established grower partners across Napa Valley, selecting vineyard lots that deliver the concentration and intensity that define the Hunnicutt style. The Cabernet comes from warm, fully ripe sites that produce fruit of deep color and rich flavor. The Zinfandel sources include old-vine parcels that deliver the spicy, concentrated character that the variety achieves from mature plantings. The sourcing relationships have been maintained for years, ensuring consistency of fruit quality across vintages.

Eric Hunnicutt makes the wines in a style that emphasizes maximum fruit expression and generous oak treatment. The Fearless red blend is the flagship, a wine that combines multiple varieties into a dark, powerful cuvee that aims for impact over subtlety. The Cabernet Sauvignon is rich and deeply extracted, with the firm tannins and dark fruit that respond to extended aging. The Zinfandel is bold and spicy, avoiding the softness that can make the variety feel one-dimensional. The wines are clearly made by someone who likes his wine big.

Tastings are available by appointment in St. Helena, where the intimate setting provides a direct encounter with the wines and the winemaker's philosophy. Eric's enthusiasm for bold, concentrated wines is infectious, and visitors who share his preference for power over finesse will find a kindred spirit. The $65 fee includes the full portfolio, with the Fearless blend providing the most memorable pour.

Hunnicutt occupies the bold end of the Napa Valley spectrum, producing wines that make no apologies for their intensity. The style is not for everyone, but for visitors who want their wine to be an event rather than a backdrop, Hunnicutt delivers exactly the impact it promises. The Fearless name is both a brand and a philosophy: make the wine you believe in, and let the tasters decide.