Terroir

Hertelendy Vineyards is defined by uncompromising sourcing and an obsessive pursuit of site expression. Our fruit is drawn not only from our own mountainous 4+ acre Crystal Springs of Napa Valley AVA “Rockwell Ridge” estate vineyard — planted in 1993 just 35 feet below the Howell Mountain AVA boundary (SEE MAP) — but also from some of Napa Valley’s most coveted volcanic hillside sites, including Atlas Peak, Pritchard Hill, Howell Mountain, Oakville, and Coombsville. 

Specializing in all five classic Bordeaux varietals, the majority of our red wine grapes are cultivated on steep, western-facing slopes of the Vaca Mountains. Here, tuffaceous rock, volcanic ash, red clay, and granite-like subsoils converge to offer the best of both worlds: the structure and tension of the mountains with the depth and richness typically associated with the valley floor. These low-fertility, rocky soils naturally limit vigor, encouraging deep root systems and yielding wines of remarkable concentration, intensity, and finesse. Exceptional drainage and vine stress translate into layered complexity, refined tannins, and a sense of place that is unmistakably Hertelendy. 

Beyond Napa Valley, we also source extraordinarily limited Pinot Noir from Sun Chase Vineyard and Old Wente Clone Chardonnay from Woolsey Road Vineyard — home to vines over 50 years old — planted on the world-famous Gold Ridge sandy loam soils of the Russian River Valley. These sites produce wines of purity, elegance, and enduring sophistication. 

Seven years in the making, Ralph Hertelendy partnered with renowned viticulturist Steve Burgess to establish Napa Valley’s newest — and 17th — viticultural area: Crystal Springs of Napa Valley AVA. Nestled between St. Helena, Calistoga, and Howell Mountain, this dramatic appellation spans elevations from 400 to 1,400 feet, making it Napa Valley’s only entirely hillside AVA. Positioned above the frost line and below the inversion layer, Crystal Springs enjoys cool nights, warm days, and extended afternoon sunshine from its prized western exposure. This rare combination ensures optimal ripeness year after year while preserving freshness and balance. 

The result is fruit of extraordinary phenolic depth, precision, and character — an unmistakable expression of volcanic terroir and elevated hillside viticulture. These are world class wines crafted not for volume, but for distinction. 

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