Hanzell Vineyards is located in the Mayacamas Mountains north of the city of Sonoma in Sonoma County , California ( North Coast region). It was founded by former US ambassador to Italy James David Zellerbach (1892-1963) after his retirement. The name "Hanzell" was formed from the first letters of his wife's first name Hana and the family name. Zellerbach bought around 80 hectares of land in 1948. His aim was to build a winery modelled on Burgundy and to produce top wines in the Burgundy style. The winery is indeed reminiscent of the famous Château du Clos de Vougeot.
The first vines of the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varieties were planted in 1953 on 2.5 hectares (6 acres); the first grape harvest took place in 1957. Zellerbach introduced stainless steel tanks and began to age wines from both grape varieties in barrique barrels. For the first time in California, wooden barrels were imported directly from Burgundy.
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