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Located at:
3104 Redwood Rd., Napa, CA 94558
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Price Range For Tasting
Hendry Ranch Wines was built on tradition, innovation, and excellence in winemaking. Family-owned for over eight decades, the Hendry family has a deep-rooted commitment to the land, dating back to 1939. They not only cultivate classic grapes but also experiment with unique varietals like the Mission grape and Albarino, all with the goal of producing high-quality, food-friendly wines.
The Hendry Ranch vineyard has a long history dating back to at least 1859, when German pioneers Frederick and John Sigrist planted some of the first commercial vineyards in Napa Valley. The property changed hands a few times over the years, with wine production continuing under owners like George Barth. By the late 1880s, however, the vines were devastated by phylloxera, a setback that would be repeated over a century later. The Hendry family acquired the ranch in 1939, and while they didn’t begin producing their own Hendry label wines until 1992, they have continued the long tradition of grape growing on the land.
The demand for Hendry Wines has steadily grown since they bottled their first vintage in 1992. By 2000, the winery was producing numbers that necessitated the building of their own on-site winery. It took just over a year to construct the 22,000 sq ft gravity flow-winery. Not only does the winery have its own wine production facility, it also has its own bottling line, which is unique among smaller, family-owned wineries.
When it comes to the style of wine the brand is after, winemaker George O. Hendry follows three core ideas: the wine should have moderate alcohol, craft dry wines, and make sure your wines are food friendly.
Hendry Ranch Wines 2020 Primitivo
The Hendry Ranch 2020 Primitivo (Zinfandel) is a full-bodied, dry wine with a deep garnet color. Black cherry, plum, and olive dominate both the nose and palate, accented by hints of black currant, red plum, cherry, and black pepper. This is a bold (16.1% alcohol) tannic Napa Valley wine made with grapes sourced from the region’s Oak Knoll AVA. Such a bold palate can be paired with a number of rich foods.
This was an excellent wine.
Hendry Ranch Wines 2019 Block 9D & 26 Cabernet Franc
In the glass, the Hendry Ranch 2019 Cabernet Franc is a bold shade of garnet. Black cherry and olive are prominent on both the nose and palate, with herbal hints of bell pepper, anise, and mint adding complexity. This full-bodied, highly tannic wine with pronounced flavors that lead into a pleasant, lingering finish. Enjoy this bottle now or cellar for further development.
Hendry’s Cabernet Franc was one of our favorite wines of the tasting.
Hendry Ranch Wines 2020 Mission
The Mission grape is such a cool grape, and we were thrilled to try Hendry Ranch’s 2020 bottling. In the glass, the wine is a medium-purple color and initial aromas hint at a mix of black cherry and plum with intriguing earthy hints of graphite and cured meat. On the palate, the wine is dry, full-bodied, and with low acidity but high alcohol, mirroring the fruit and earth from the nose with the addition of licorice. For a deeper dive into this bottle, take a look at our full review here.
Hendry Wines 2021 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay
This is a bright, youthful wine that exhibits a clear lemon color in the glass. Its fully developed nose showcases citrusy lemon and grassy notes alongside subtle oak, saline minerality, and hints of forest floor. On the palate, it’s dry with medium-plus acidity, transitioning from lemon to tropical flavors of guava and peach. Oak barrel aging adds rich, toasty oak notes, and the finish is long with lingering hints of slate minerality. A complex Chardonnay with intriguing qualities, and a good value at under $40 a bottle.
Albarinos are youthful, crisp white wines, and this expression from Hendry is no exception. In the glass, the wine is a clear lemon color. On the nose, it offers a bouquet of ripe pear and honeysuckle with intriguing hints of graphite and slate minerality. Dry with high acidity and a medium-plus body, the palate mirrors the nose with pear, melon, lemon, and lime flavors accented by honeysuckle. A refreshing slate minerality lingers on the long finish. This Albariño is perfect for enjoying now with lighter fare or as an apéritif. A terrific wine that is light on its feet.
At this time, Hendry Ranch Wines offers three different wine tasting experiences. Wine lovers can choose from:
Hendry Classic Tasting | 60-90 min | $75 per person
The classic tasting includes both red and white wines, from light, bright wines to rich, complex red wines. This is the most comprehensive tasting the winery offers.
Bordeaux Flight | 60-90 min | $65 per person
Explore Bordeaux wines with a Hendry Ranch twist. This tasting includes Bordeaux variety wines grown on the Hendry Ranch estate. These red wines are big, bold, and rich.
Red Wine Flight | approx 60 min | $50 per person
Red wine lovers will adore this tasting which includes a variety of red grapes from the Hendry Vineyards. This tasting may include non-Bordeaux red grape varieties like Mission and Primitivo.
A quick note: The winery does not offer tours at this time. They only offer seated tastings.
The next time you’re in Napa Valley, make a tasting appointment at Hendry Ranch. This low-key, family-owned and operated winery is making memorable wines from some unique varieties, and the value for the quality is top notch.
