Hanna WineryHanna Winery
Hanna Winery and Tasting Room in the Alexander Valley
HANNA Winery has its roots on a farm in Syria where Dr. Elias S. Hanna, a world- renowned cardiac surgeon now based in San Francisco, was born and raised. His family grew a variety of crops, including grapevines, and for him, a vineyard offered both tranquility and promise. "After I moved to San Francisco and started my practice, I was anxious to find a place in the country," Dr. Hanna says. "I missed the pace of farm life." Beginning with 12 acres in the Russian River Valley purchased in the 1970s, he and his children began their foray into winemaking with homemade Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. In the mid-1980s, Dr. Hanna hired a winemaker and expanded the vineyard holdings. Today, the Hanna family owns 600 acres, 250 of which are planted, split between four different vineyards.
In the Russian River appellation, the Home Ranch on Occidental Road is HANNA's flagship vineyard, with 25 acres planted to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Home Ranch also serves as the winery production facility. The charming tasting room offers a view of the vineyards and a place for visitors to picnic.
Many of HANNA's red wines come from the 88-acre Alexander Valley Red Ranch vineyard, planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec. The vineyard is also the site of Hanna's Hospitality Center and hosts special events and a variety of winery functions. With a panoramic view of the Alexander Valley, the Hospitality Center's wrap-around veranda is an idyllic spot to savor a glass of one of Hanna's new releases.
The jewel in the HANNA crown is the Bismark Mountain Ranch. This vineyard sits high atop the Mayacamas Mountains. Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Syrah, Petit Syrah and Zinfandel are grown on the steeply terraced hillsides. "It's like standing on top of the world!" says Christine Hanna, who has taken over from her father to run the winery. "The 1997 harvest was the first time we brought the fruit down from the mountain.The level of concentration and intensity in flavor make for astounding wines. After the extreme challenge of developing a mountainside vineyard, the Bismark wines are the just reward." Both Robert Parker and Wine Spectator's James Laube have given the Bismark wines excellent ratings.
As family-owned wineries become increasingly rare, the Hanna family business has more meaning than ever. As HANNA Winery reaches its 25th anniversary, Christine sees signs that her son, daughter and nephews may well become a third generation in the wine business. "Our aim is to cultivate something that can go on for generations," she says. "If we keep striving for quality in the vineyard and winery, my guess is that our children will feel the calling."
home ranch near the Russian River, making tiny batches of wine with her father, winery founder Dr. Elias S. Hanna. taking over the winery's management in 1993. During her tenure, she has directed the winery's growth from 1,000 to 50,000 cases a year, with national distribution and a robust direct-to-consumer program through three tasting rooms and three wine clubs. Christine has sharpened the winery's focus on Russian River Sauvignon Blanc, a consistent award winner that now represents half of Hanna's production. She transitioned the winery from purchased fruit to estate-grown grapes, and began marketing fruit from Hanna's vineyards to other leading wineries. Books and available everywhere. In the book, Christine presents more than 100 recipes, drawing from local farmers' markets and the garden that grows beside the rustic, century-old Alexander Valley hunting lodge she and her family call home. Her menus are brought to life with 75 luscious photographs by Sheri Giblin, a San Francisco photographer. In the "Ask the Winemaker" sections sprinkled throughout the book, Christine answers the many questions about wine and winemaking that she's asked every day. and on the syndicated television show In Wine Country, and she shares her culinary skills at cooking classes around the country, including Central Market Cooking School in Texas and Apron's Cooking School in Florida. focus on strategic marketing during her tenure, as well as the ten years she served on its board of directors. She chaired the Sonoma County Showcase and Auction for 2003 and 2004, directing the popular Taste of Sonoma consumer food and wine event. Christine has also done postgraduate work in viticulture and enology. She currently serves on the board of trustees for the Alexander Valley Unified School District. of Cabernet Sauvignon on the land that surrounds their restored Craftsman hunting lodge.
"Red Ranch" vineyard, home to our flagship Cabernet and Merlot. The building's wrap-around veranda is the perfect place to enjoy the stunning view while sipping our award-winning wines.
From Southbound 101, take the Lytton Springs Road Exit and turn left under the freeway. At the dead end, turn right and proceed 1/4 mile. Then turn left on Alexander Valley Road/HWY 128 and follow it approximately 7.5 miles to Hanna Winery. We will be on the left, just past Alexander Valley Vineyards.
From Northbound 101, take the Lytton Springs Road Exit and turn right at stop sign. At the dead end, turn right and proceed 1/4 mile. Then turn left on Alexander Valley Road/HWY 128 and follow it approximately 7.5 miles to Hanna Winery. We will be on the left, just past Alexander Valley Vineyards on the left.
From Napa/ Calistoga, take HWY 29 past Calistoga to HWY 128. There are about 17 miles of beautiful driving and wineries along the way. We will be on the right, just past Fieldstone Winery. |
