The Hertelendy story
A family legacy.
An unmistakable wine.
Three centuries. Two continents. From the family’s vineyards in Central Europe to the mountain soils of Napa Valley, the Hertelendy story is one of devotion to wine, knowledge carried forward, and a legacy still being written.
Discover the family behind the wines ↓
A family tradition preserved
Badacsony, Hungary
01 · The family legacy
Centuries of heritage.
A new chapter in Napa.
Long before Napa Valley, the Hertelendy family cultivated Grüner Veltliner and Welschriesling near Budatin Castle in the 18th century. Through changing borders and generations, wine remained part of the family’s identity.
In Badacsony, Hungary, Great Uncle Gábor tended vines on the volcanic slopes above Lake Balaton, growing Szürkebarát and the rare Kéknyelű. When his estate was confiscated under Communist rule, he stayed on as a hired hand, preserving the knowledge and craft that ownership alone could never define.
Today, that inheritance finds a new expression in Napa Valley. Ralph made his first wine in a basement in 2006, beginning his own chapter in a story generations in the making. Hertelendy carries the family name forward through wines of boldness, complexity, and finesse.
Explore our family history ↗02 · The partnership
Two perspectives.
One uncompromising vision.
Ralph brings intensity, boldness, and fearless complexity. Consulting winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus brings elegance, precision, and finesse.
Working together since 2013, they shape wines with both presence and polish — expressive in the moment, with the depth to unfold over time.
Meet Ralph & Phillip ↗
03 · Terroir
Two worlds.
One volcanic thread.
From the basalt slopes of Badacsony to Napa Valley’s mountain vineyards, volcanic earth connects the family’s past with its present. At Rockwell Ridge, our four-plus-acre estate planted in 1993, that connection takes root in the hillsides of Crystal Springs of Napa Valley AVA.
Rocky soils, western exposure, and cool nights shape the character of this site. Ralph helped establish the Crystal Springs appellation, giving a distinct identity to the landscape Hertelendy calls home.
Alongside the estate, carefully chosen vineyards across Napa Valley bring their own expressions to the cellar. Together, they give us the depth, complexity, and sense of place that guide every blend.
Explore our terroir ↗04 · The philosophy
Nothing released before its moment.
Begin with the vineyard.
Seek out distinctive sites and fruit worthy of the vision. Every decision begins with what the land can give.
Give it time.
Allow each vintage to develop its character. Patience is part of the craft, from the cellar to the bottle.
Make every bottle matter.
Work in small quantities, with attention to the details that turn a memorable wine into a personal discovery.
Watch the Hertelendy filmBehind the bottle
The story,
in our own words.
Step into the world of Hertelendy and discover the passion behind the wines.
Become part of the story
These are the whispered legends.
For those who find us, the connection goes beyond the bottle. Discover your next favorite wine — and a place among our Hertelfriendys.
