HotelSonoma Valley AVA · Sonoma4.5 · 282
Gaige House
Shoji screens and a koi pond set the tone at this Glen Ellen inn with a heated saltwater pool.
Dog OKKid FriendlyWine LoversRomantic Getaways
★★★★★2.2 mi
Editor's Pick
$$$Reservations RequiredVerified May 2026
Sonoma Valley · Sonoma County · Sonoma
Hamel
Hamel dry-farms volcanic hillside vineyards using certified Biodynamic practices.
4.8(150)
Known forCabernetGrenacheBiodynamicFood PairingMountain ViewsLuxury
About Hamel
Hamel Estate is a family-owned winery that emphasizes a deep connection between wine and terroir through dry farming and Biodynamic practices. Their commitment to low-intervention winemaking allows the unique character of their volcanic hillside vineyards to shine through in their wines, which include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, and Sauvignon Blanc. With a focus on sustainability and innovative stewardship, Hamel Estate is one of the few certified Biodynamic vineyards in California, making it a standout destination for wine enthusiasts.
Why Visit Hamel
The Chef's Experience pairs estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache with food in a communal seated format after a cave tour. Hamel is one of the few certified Biodynamic vineyards in California, and that commitment shows in wines that express the volcanic soils of the Mayacamas Mountains' western slopes.
- Certified Biodynamic vineyards on volcanic Mayacamas hillsides
- Chef's Experience ($200) pairs estate wines with food after a cave tour
- Dry-farmed Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, and Sauvignon Blanc
- Moon Mountain District and Sonoma Valley hillside sites
The Setting
The estate is built into the Mayacamas Mountains on the western slopes above Sonoma Valley, where the volcanic hillside terroir defines both the architecture and the vineyards. A cave carved into the mountain provides the backdrop for tours before tastings. The contemporary tasting space integrates the farming, winemaking, and hospitality into one property along Sonoma Highway.
The Tasting Experience
Tastings start with a guided tour through the cave adjacent to the winery, then move to a seated format. The Estate Experience ($95) pours Biodynamic estate wines grown on dry-farmed volcanic sites, while the Collectors' Experience ($125) focuses on single-vineyard and limited-production bottlings. The Chef's Experience ($200) adds a communal food pairing to the wine lineup.
The Tasting
Tasting experiences.
Estate Experience
$95Discover the essence of Hamel through a curated selection of Estate wines that reflect our Biodynamic farming philosophy and volcanic Sonoma terroir. Throughout your visit, guests have the opportunity to explore the winery and adjacent cave, connecting each wine to its origins and the philosophy behind it. Your seated tasting is paired with a chef-crafted seasonal bite, thoughtfully selected to enhance and complement the flavors of the Estate wines. This intimate experience is perfect for guests seeking to explore our estate in a luxurious and educational setting.
90 minReservation Required
Collectors’ Experience
$125Experience the depth, complexity, and nuance of our premium single-vineyard and limited-production wines. The experience includes a guided tour of the winery and adjacent cave, providing insight into the origins and philosophy behind each exceptional selection. Your seated tasting in the Estate House is paired with a chef-crafted seasonal accompaniment, designed to highlight and elevate the unique character of each wine. This exclusive experience is perfect for guests seeking a more focused, collector-oriented exploration of our most distinctive wines.
90 minReservation Required
Chef’s Experience
$200Our signature wine and food experience begins with a guided tour of the winery and adjacent cave, followed by a communal seated tasting. Guests explore a curated selection of Biodynamic estate wines, including both library and current releases, paired with gourmet small plates crafted from seasonal, locally sourced ingredients by Chef Thomas Mendel. This immersive tasting menu is designed to showcase the art and nuance of wine and food pairing, offering a shared, educational experience that connects guests to the flavors, the wines, and the estate itself.
120 minReservation Required
The Pour
$90$90$160$160
Wine list. (5)
| Wine | Type | Vintage | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 Isthmus A dark ruby hue in the glass, the wine’s bouquet unfolds dynamically with notes of fresh plum, black cherries, and cassis intertwined with layers of fennel, sage, violet, and a hint of crushed graphite. | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2021 | $90 | |
2022 Isthmus The 2022 Isthmus Cabernet Sauvignon displays a deep ruby hue in the glass and opens with a captivating iron-rich, crushed stone reduction that gives way to layered aromas of black currant and dark cherry. | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2022 | $90 | |
2018 Hamel Family Ranch Dark purple in the glass, the aromas unfurl with an assemblage of cassis, dried raspberry and blackberry fruits framed by notes of game, cigar box and burning embers. | Red Blend | 2018 | $160 | |
2019 Hamel Family Ranch Resplendent with a deep ruby hue, rich aromas emerge from the glass of dark red cherry, plum and raspberry compote mingled with violets, wet earth and cigar box. | Red Blend | 2019 | $160 |
2021 Isthmus
A dark ruby hue in the glass, the wine’s bouquet unfolds dynamically with notes of fresh plum, black cherries, and cassis intertwined with layers of fennel, sage, violet, and a hint of crushed graphite.
Cabernet Sauvignon2021
2022 Isthmus
The 2022 Isthmus Cabernet Sauvignon displays a deep ruby hue in the glass and opens with a captivating iron-rich, crushed stone reduction that gives way to layered aromas of black currant and dark cherry.
Cabernet Sauvignon2022
2018 Hamel Family Ranch
Dark purple in the glass, the aromas unfurl with an assemblage of cassis, dried raspberry and blackberry fruits framed by notes of game, cigar box and burning embers.
Red Blend2018
2019 Hamel Family Ranch
Resplendent with a deep ruby hue, rich aromas emerge from the glass of dark red cherry, plum and raspberry compote mingled with violets, wet earth and cigar box.
Red Blend2019
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to Stay Nearby
View allHotel
InnSonoma Valley AVA · Sonoma4.4 · 233
Sonoma Creek Inn
Native gardens and fire circles bordered by Sonoma Creek, patio coffee before breakfast.
Dog OKKid FriendlyCouplesWine Enthusiasts
★★2.2 mi
Drive Times
From Sonoma hotels.
Estimated drive time from each hotel to Hamel, ordered by proximity.
| Hotel | Drive | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Olea Hotel | ~6 min | Book |
| Cottage Inn & Spa | ~11 min | Book |
| Farmhouse Inn | ~44 min | Book |
| Hotel Healdsburg | ~51 min | Book |
| Montage Healdsburg | ~54 min | Book |
| The Lodge at Bodega Bay | ~55 min | Book |
Estimates based on straight-line distance with a wine-country routing factor. Actual drive times vary with traffic and route choice.
More Wineries in Sonoma Valley
View all →
Sonoma Valley AVA · Sonoma4.6 · 247
Scribe Winery
Andrew and Adam Mariani farm their family's original 1858 Sonoma land as Scribe Winery.
Picnic
$$Walk-in OK
Sonoma Valley AVA · Sonoma4.5 · 651
Gundlach Bundschu
California's sixth-oldest winery, making wine continuously since 1858 on Rhinefarm.
Dog OKKid Friendly
$From $25
Sonoma Valley AVA · Sonoma4.4 · 234
Imagery Estate Winery
Imagery Estate Winery bottles Malbec, Tempranillo, and Lagrein instead of Cabernet.
Kid FriendlyPicnic
$From $25
Sonoma Valley AVA · Sonoma4.9 · 300
Three Fat Guys Winery
Tony Moll, former NFL player, co-founded this Sonoma winery in 2006 with two friends.
ReservationDog OKPicnic
$From $10Preview
Related Guides
Planning a wine country trip?
Explore curated day trips and build your own custom route.