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Established in 1972 in the heart of the Russian River Valley by the meticulous Kent Ritchie, the Ritchie Vineyard’s status as a Sonoma “Grand Cru” is evident by the illustrious winemakers who have availed themselves of the fruit. It’s a who’s who of stars, including not only Hotei’s familiar David Ramey, but Paul Hobbs, Kosta Browne, Russell Bevan, and Philippe Melka. What makes this site legendary is its terroir: gnarly 45-year-old Old Wente clone vines growing in gravelly Goldridge loam soils. These vines yield tiny clusters that pack immense flavor concentration and a signature, plush mouthfeel—giving winemakers the perfect raw material to push boundaries. For this micro 2017 vintage (288 cases), founder Ralph Hertelendy and winemaker Phillip Titus crafted a bold, sophisticated style, employing barrel fermentation on native yeasts, 100% malolactic, sur lie aging with bâtonnage, and 19 months in 90% new French oak. While these methods may seem to hark back to an earlier time, the power and concentration of the fruit integrates the oak; indeed, the winemakers have successfully framed the wine's natural opulence with a bright, vibrant core of acidity that ensures remarkable balance. As a playful final touch, the bottle features an innovative thermochromic label whose lions change color when chilled to the optimal serving temperature of 50°F, signaling that this wonderful Chardonnay is ready to pour.
Hertelendy Vineyards is the story of one man’s peculiar dream and the drive he had to see it come true. Ralph Hertelendy grew up in Berkeley, California—near but not in California wine country. His parents enjoyed wine but did not work in the industry. Ancestors on his father’s side had owned a wine estate in Badacsony, Hungary, but, having been confiscated by the Communist state after WWII, all that remained by the time Ralph was born was the family history as recounted by his father, who immigrated to the US as a child. So it was Ralph, on his own, who discovered the joy of making fermented beverages when he brewed beer in his parents’ basement as a teen. While the beer was too bitter for his taste, he noticed how it brought friends together while simultaneously boosting his popularity! Travels through European wine regions convinced him to pursue a career in wine after graduating with a business degree. Making a batch of his own wine - again in his parents’ basement - made him realize that training was necessary, which he pursued via stints in California wineries—in sales, vineyards, production—and in earning a sommelier certification. At last, he secured a bank loan that allowed him to turn his passion into a commercial reality.
That reality took shape on Howell Mountain, where Ralph purchased a rugged, four-acre property planted to mature Merlot vines called “Rockwell Ridge.” At 416 m. the vineyard lies just below the Howell Mountain AVA boundary; however, in 2024 a TTB decision rendered Hertelendy’s vineyard inside Napa’s newest sub AVA, called Crystal Springs of Napa AVA. Importantly, the well-drained, volcanic soils are essentially the same as those higher up. For his inaugural 2013 vintage and subsequent ones, Ralph blended estate fruit with Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from mountain districts on the Vaca range with volcanic soils, such as Pritchard Hill and Atlas Peak. To elevate his ambitious vision, Ralph formed a partnership with veteran Napa Valley winemaking consultant Phillip Titus (of Titus Vineyards and Chappellet Winery). The two compliment each other well, with Ralph bringing a daring mindset and pushing-the-boundaries approach and Titus providing decades of technical expertise and a deep understanding of Napa's hillside viticulture. That first Cabernet Sauvignon debuted to instant critical acclaim, bridging a lost Hungarian family legacy with modern Napa Valley winemaking.
Hertelendy makes his wine at The Caves at Soda Canyon, a custom crush facility carved directly into the hillsides above the Stags Leap District. Utilizing the facility's advanced tools—Ralph and Phillip craft a portfolio of wines, mostly from Bordeaux varieties sourced from several Napa appellations, including Howell Mountain, Atlas Peak, and Oakville. They also produce Chardonnay sourced from the Russia River Valley. All the wines are produced in low quantities of around two hundred cases.
| Country | USA |
| Region | California |
| Appellation(s) | Russian River Valley (Sonoma) |
| Winery | Hertelendy Vineyards |
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Color | White |
| Varietal(s) | Chardonnay |
| Closure | Cork |
| Bottle Size | 8.3 x 31.5 |
| Case Size | 34.5 x 26.5 x 32.0 |
| Alcohol | 14.7% |
| Product Code | HE17RIT |
| UPC | NONE |
| MLF | 100% |
92 points – Wine Enthusiast; 91 points – Wine Advocate.
Aromas of toasted oak, honeycomb, and savory brioche precede a lush and opulent palate, balancing tropical fruit flavors and nutty complexity with a mineral core. A finish reminiscent of crème brûlée lingers long.
Winemaking took on an “old-school” approach, including primary fermentation on native yeasts in barrel, 100% malolactic fermentation, sur lie aging with regular bâtonnage, and 19 months aging in 90% new French oak.