Larry Hyde
Founded by Larry Hyde in 1979, Hyde Vineyards is located in the heart of Napa Valley's Carneros region. The vineyard has long been hailed as a grand cru caliber site, primarily known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay fruit, which has been used by some of the more highly acclaimed wine producers in both Napa and Sonoma counties. After nearly 30 years of providing an extraordinary quality of grapes to clients exclusively, Larry debuted his own small-lot Pinot Noir wine project and officially opened the doors to his estate winery shortly after. Today, Hyde Vineyards continues to work with over 35 wine brands providing exceptional fruit while Hyde Vineyards Estate produces small-lot estate-grown wines specifically focusing on Larry’s favorite varietals made from this unique terroir that embodies the love and dedication to the land he so proudly farms.
We are small-production winery that has been family-owned for over 40 years. We have phenomenal accolades for both our wines as well as our vineyard sites.
We are run by Chris Hyde, Larry & Beta's son, making us a second-generation family business.
Chris, carries on the legacy of his father by tending the land with the same expertise and dedication as his father.
After over 40 years, we are still organic in our farming techniques and hand-pick and hand-harvest all of our acreage. Our property today, sits at 205 acres with 200 acres planted to vine. Our wines are all estate-bottled and estate-grown. We utilize all French Oak barrels in our winemaking and our wines generally see 20-30% new French Oak, with the remainder in neutral oak.
The Hyde Vineyard crew is comprised of 25 workers, some of whom have been at Hyde Vineyard for over 30 years and have worked side by side with Larry from the very beginning. Under the direction of Chris Hyde, the crew works all year round tending the vines and harvesting the fruit of our labors.
Our vineyards, located in the heart of Carneros, sits in the coolest region of Napa Valley and are influenced by the cooling effect of the Petaluma Gap. Morning fog and cool breezes in the afternoons provide ideal conditions for slow ripening, resulting in a long growing season. Through years of extensive research and experimentation, Larry Hyde has planted a unique variety of clones while carefully orienting the row directions to suit the rolling hills, which are primarily east-facing and take advantage of morning sunlight. His tireless work has resulted in a tapestry of vineyard blocks with over ten different varietals planted covering the unique terroir of Hyde Vineyards.
Philosophy
“Our vineyard team is proud to always strive higher, to pursue a goal of excellence, and move forward with wines that break barriers and open new frontiers.” - Larry Hyde
Biography
Larry Hyde founded Hyde Vineyards in 1979. Originally comprised of 100 acres of windy pasture and fruit orchards, Larry became a pioneer in a region that would soon become California’s second AVA, Los Carneros, Napa Valley. The only AVA to stretch between two counties, Napa and Sonoma.
Before Hyde Vineyards, Larry studied law at UC Berkeley and then chemistry at UC Davis before finding his passion in wine. Gaining work experience at renowned vineyards like Stag’s Leap, Ridge Vineyards, Cuvaison, Robert Mondavi Winery, Gallo and Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Larry went on to purchase Hyde Vineyards with the help of his father, Richard Sr. and brought along with him his extensive knowledge of wine making and viticulture to Hyde Vineyards at a time when the wine industry in California was transcending into the world-class wine region it is today.
In 1980, one year after Larry purchased Hyde Vineyards, Larry met his wife, Beta, in Burgundy. Beta, originally from Poland, came to California a few years later. Larry and Beta have two sons, who grew up in the vineyard, which was their playground and home, experimenting with homemade wine and working in the fields.
In 2000, Larry Hyde co-founded HdV Winery, a partnership with Aubert de Villaine. Aubert, who married Larry’s cousin, Pamela F. de Villaine, and on who’s vineyard Larry met Beta, is one of Burgundy’s most recognized individuals who was born and raised in the traditions of France’s greatest winemaking techniques.
In 2009, Larry founded Hyde Vineyard Estate Winery, with the first vintage of Pinot Noir, and currently produces several varieties from their unique terroir.
Today, Hyde Vineyards has grown to 200 acres and works with over 35 wineries in the valley.
In October of 2024, Wine Spectator acknowledged Hyde Vineyards as a site of distinction among the World's Greatest Vineyards.
Wines from Larry Hyde
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