Our Story
Ambassador James D. Zellerbach founded Hanzell Vineyards in 1953 with a vision to create wines that could compete on the world stage. Named after his wife Hana, Hanzell sits at the southern toe of the Mayacamas mountain range overlooking the south-western end of Sonoma Valley and San Pablo Bay. After extensive time spent in Burgundy, Zellerbach returned inspired and educated by the region’s wines and grapes—Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. He then planted these two varieties at a time when there were less than a few hundred acres of each planted in North America. Since 1975, Hanzell has been solely owned by the de Brye family, who is dedicated to the preservation of tradition with a progressive and holistic approach which will ensure the sustainability for generations to come.
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1953 ||First three acres of chardonnay and three acres of pinot noir planted.
Founded by James & Hana Zellerbach for whom the winery is named.
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1956
Brad Webb hired as first Winemaker & Heritage Winery completed.
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1957
First vintage of Hanzell Vineyards wines produced.
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1965
Ownership passes to Douglas and Mary Day.
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1972
4 1/2 acre Day vineyard block planted to all chardonnay.
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1973
Bob Sessions hired as Winemaker.
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1975
Ownership passes to Barbara de Brye. José Ramos hired as Vineyard Manager.
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1967
13 acre de Brye vineyard block planted with both chardonnay and pinot noir.
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1991
Ownership passes to Alexander de Brye.
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1999
4 acre Sessions vineyard block planted with pinot noir.
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2001
4 1/2 acre Ramos vineyard block planted with all chardonnay.
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2003
Construction on the cave and new winery begins.
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2008
Michael McNeill hired as Winemaker and Linda Hanson hired as Associate Winemaker.
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2009
First vintage of Hanzell “Sebella” Chardonnay released.
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2014
Jason Jardine hired as President and Director of Winemaking.
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2016
Work implementing Holistic Integrated Farming practices begins.
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2017
Chickens, sheep, pigs and our two Maremma livestock guardian dogs, Scout and Radley join the Hanzell family.
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2018
Inaugural release of our Hanzell Farm Series wines
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2021
Became Certified Organic through CCOF
