Hyde de Villaine

Hyde de Villaine is the most improbable and prestigious partnership in Napa Valley wine, a collaboration between Larry Hyde, the legendary Carneros grower whose vineyard supplies fruit to some of California's most celebrated producers, and Aubert de Villaine, co-owner of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, widely considered the greatest wine estate in the world. Founded in 2000, HdV (as it is commonly known) produces wines that draw on both partners' expertise: Hyde's intimate knowledge of Carneros terroir and de Villaine's generations of Burgundian winemaking philosophy.

The wines are sourced from Larry Hyde's famed vineyard in Carneros, a 150-acre site that has been producing premium fruit since the 1970s. The Hyde Vineyard is one of the most sought-after grape sources in California, supplying Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to producers including Aubert, Kistler, and Patz and Hall. For HdV, Hyde reserves specific blocks that he and de Villaine have identified as possessing the most Burgundian character, sites where the clay soils and cool climate create conditions reminiscent of the Cote d'Or.

Winemaker Stephane Vivier, a Burgundy native, crafts the wines in a style that reflects the partnership's dual heritage. The Belle Cousine red blend, primarily Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon, was created after de Villaine visited the vineyard and declared the Merlot blocks the most interesting on the property. The Chardonnay is lean and mineral-driven, aged in neutral oak to preserve the site's natural expression. A Syrah from the Hyde Vineyard rounds out the portfolio, showcasing the site's versatility beyond its famous Burgundian varieties.

Tastings of HdV wines are available by appointment, with a level of exclusivity appropriate to the partnership's stature. The experience is intimate and personal, focused on the story of two winemaking traditions converging on a single Carneros vineyard. The conversation naturally gravitates toward terroir, Burgundy, and the philosophical questions that arise when two of the world's most respected wine minds collaborate. The $75 tasting fee reflects the caliber of the wines and the significance of the partnership.

HdV matters because of what it represents: the world's most famous vineyard owner choosing Carneros as the place to extend his legacy outside of Burgundy. Aubert de Villaine's investment in this partnership is a validation of California terroir from the highest possible authority. That he chose Larry Hyde's vineyard over every other option in the New World speaks volumes about the quality of the site and the respect that Hyde commands among the global wine elite.