Hudson Vineyards

Napa, Carneros

Guardian: Carneros Mack-daddy Lee Hudson, Onward!

If there is any vineyard I am lucky enough to get fruit from that needs no introduction it is this one.

Farmed by the indefatigable Lee Hudson, who is aided by the brilliance and experience of Kelly Macleod and Andres Urena, Hudson Vineyard is an example of what perfectionist farming, undertaken for decades, can create. It is an honor to be trusted with four separate blocks of fruit from the vineyard. T-east and T-west were planted for my dear friend Michael Havens back in 1993— making it the oldest existing Syrah in the Carneros. In addition to these two block, Bedrock also receives two killer parcels of fruit planted to Alban-selection Syrah from both the front ranch and the back.

Though I am not sure that Lee knows it himself, many a person, upon entering this piece of land deem this “Hudsonia.” It is not hard to see why. Not only are some of the best grapes in California grown here, but the passion applied to grapes is also applied to the creation of thousand pound pumpkins, gourds that would make Shaquille O’Neal feel inferior, friendly and delicious pigs, and breathtaking grounds. There is a magic here—but it is that magic that only hard work, imagination, and absolute perfectionism combined with an already starkly beautiful scape can achieve. Somehow I feel more whole when I leave Hudson Vineyard—it is rare that any piece of land anywhere can do that.

Photo: Aerial of the back-ranch at Hudson with the last toe of the Mayacamas in the background.