The Philosophy

One of the greatest values on Mayacama's wine list are the wines from the Walter Hansel Winery.  Robert Parker says: “Combining quality with reasonable prices and Estate-grown grapes, you can't do much better than Stephen Hansel's Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. "  Wine Advocate#210

"These are consistently terrific wines, seemingly regardless of vintage conditions. Moreover, they are reasonably priced, and wine consumers couldn't have a better friend than proprietor Stephen Hansel"  Wine Advocate #187

"This is a source for very fine Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs at some of the most realistic prices to be found in Northern California."  Wine Advocate #180

"One of northern California's "good guys" is undeniably Stephen Hansel, who fashions top-quality Burgundian-styled Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Tom Rochioli first brought these wines to my attention, and Hansel is now one of my reference point visits in the North Coast."  Wine Advocate #168

“The consistently run Walter Hansel winery (now in the capable hands of Steve Hansel) has over 40 acres of Chardonnay and 40 acres of Pinot Noir, all family-owned.  The fact that 2013 produced a more European style of wine, especially aromatically, flavor-wise and structurally is largely confirmed over and over again by the high-quality producers in both Napa and Sonoma.  The Hansel wines follow these tendencies, and the wines all received outstanding ratings”.

The Wine Making Process

The Walter Hansel processes are done in a way that each wine is allowed to express its unique character; never compromising the wine's freshness, finesse or texture.  All of the grapes are hand harvest and manually sorted; once in the vineyard and once in the winery. The Pinot Noir is destemmed and gravity guides the whole berries into an open topped fermenter.

The Chardonnay is whole-cluster pressed into French oak for fermentation. The primary fermentation lasts 2-3 weeks and the maloactic fermentation can last until early spring of the next year.

Every vineyard block is traced from the harvest bins to the barrel to the settling tank before bottling.

The Wines

2103 Walter Hansel Winery Chardonnay Cahill Lane
A Chardonnay Dry White Table Wine from
USA, Sonoma, North Coast, California, USA

The 2013 Chardonnay Cahill Lane, made from the Old Wente clone, comes from one of the higher yielding parcels in the Hansel vineyards (3.5 tons of fruit per acre in 2013). It sees 40% new François Frères oak. The nose offers up notes of caramelized citrus, orange blossom, honeysuckle, poached pear and peach in its refreshing, medium to full-bodied personality. Drink this beauty over the next 5-6 years.

2013 Walter Hansel Winery Chardonnay The Meadows Vineyard
A Chardonnay Dry White Table Wine
USA, Sonoma, North Coast, California, USA

Another top value, the 2013 Chardonnay The Meadows, which comes from the lowest elevation Chardonnay vineyard the Hansel’s own. The soils are classic loamy, sandy, Goldridge soils, and the wine sees 40% new oak. It possesses a European/Corton-Charlemagne style with hints of ripe peaches, pineapples and orange blossoms in a medium-bodied, fresh, lively style with good acidity. Drink now-2018.

2013 Walter Hansel Winery Pinot Noir Estate
A Pinot Noir Dry Red Table Wine
USA, Sonoma, North Coast, California, USA

The 2013 Pinot Noir Estate, made mostly from Rochioli clonal material and a small portion of the so-called Swan clone, is a beautiful Pinot Noir, very Burgundian, with notes of forest floor, loamy soil undertones, sweet black cherries and Asian plum sauce. It is dark ruby, lush, medium to full-bodied and ideal for drinking over the next decade.

The 2013 Pinot Noirs, which Stephen Hansel described as more European and restrained than the 2012s, were all bottled unfined and unfiltered and are just now beginning to strut their stuff. All represent excellent value in Pinot Noir.

2013 Walter Hansel Winery Pinot Noir South Slope
A Pinot Noir Dry Red Table Wine
USA, Sonoma, North Coast, California, USA

One hundred percent from Dijon clone 777, the 2013 Pinot Noir South Slope is another beauty. Dark ruby in color and more backward than the Cahill Lane or Estate, the wine shows more red and black cherries, pomegranate, sassafras, earth and spice. The tannins seem to have slightly more grip, and the wine is firmer and more restrained. It will benefit from another 1-2 years of bottle age, and drink well for at least a decade or more.

The Offer

2013 Walter Hansel Chardonnay, Cahill Lane
$35

2013 Walter Hansel Chardonnay, The Meadows Vineyard
$32

2013 Walter Hansel Pinot Noir, The Estate
$36

2013 Walter Hansel Pinot Noir, South Slope
$39

Ordering

For all questions and orders, contact Wine Director, Jeff McCarthy. Let us know if you would like your wine shipped or placed in your wine locker. Sales tax and appropriate shipping will be added to all orders. Allow 2-3 weeks for account processing and shipping. During extreme weather, wine orders may be held until it is safe to ship.

Jeff McCarthy, Wine Director 
[email protected]
707.569.2906