Deep gold color; tropical fruits, mango, banana, pineapple, crisp apple, pear, lemongrass, honey, vanilla, buttered toast on the nose and palate.
Dry; slight tannins; good, cleansing acidity. Medium body. Creamy, mellow in the mouth. Partial malolactic conversion gives it touch of butter notes, but not overdone. Sur lie aging adds depth and complexity. Grapes sourced from vineyards throughout California, primarily in Monterey County appellation. There are no precise technical notes, but this likely was fermented in stainless steel and aged in mix stainless steel and oak. 14.5% ABV
Hahn Family Wines is, as the label asserts, family-owned and operated. Founders Nicky and Gaby Hahn came to the Santa Lucia Highlands in the late 1970s. The Swiss-born couple soon recognized the region’s potential for quality wines. Nicky Hahn in 1988, fighting for Santa Lucia Highlands recognition, noted: “We all produce world class fruit from well managed vineyards. We deserve therefore our own recognition with our own premium price and marketable exciting appellation that wine writers can discover, laud and praise.”
The couple purchased Smith & Hook Vineyards, planted exclusively in cabernet sauvignon, in 1979. They released their first Smith & Hook cab the following year. In 1990, the Hahns realized Santa Lucia was better suited for cooler climate grapes—pinot noir and chardonnay. In 1991, Santa Lucia Highlands was awarded AVA status after heavy lobbying by Nicky. The Hahns continued to obtain Santa Lucia Highlands vineyards throughout the 1990s. They also opened a visitor center, the Hahn Carmel tasting room in 2017.
In 2007, the Hahns turned over management of their operation to Philip Hahn after he had an eight-year career on Wall Street. Founder Nicolaus “Nicky” Hahn passed away in 2018. Co-founder Gaby Hahn earned law degrees in both Germany and France before focusing on wine; she pursues art appreciation and her own artistic efforts today. Hahn daughter, Caroline, holds a PhD in veterinary medicine from the University of Edinburgh and serves as an ambassador for Hahn Family Wines. In 2023, the year after this wine was made, the Hahn family sold their operation to E&J Gallo. Gallo vowed to continue the Hahn family legacy.
Hahn Family Wines California Chardonnay 2022 is made in contemporary California chard style—not too much oak, not too much butter, ripe fruits, balancing acidity. Good texture and complexity from judicious malolactic conversion and sue lie aging. Hahn consistently delivers Monterey County wines at surprising price points for wine of this quality. A quality-for-price winner for decades, this is the last vintage from the Hahn family. Gallo acquired the operation in 2023. Pairing—seafood; bay scallop soup, grilled shrimp, fish dishes in creamy sauces. Roast chicken. Roasted vegetables with herbs and olive oil. Cheese—brie; triple-cream (Marin French Supreme, Cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam); aged gouda, aged comté, manchego. $15
