Hudson Ranch
2018 Chardonnay
"Laughing Lands"
Napa Valley AVA
2020 Offering
Auction 24 | Lot No. 194
Vintage: 2018
Hudson Ranch
Chardonnay
Napa Valley
5 cases produced
Highlights
- Laughing Lands, as are all our wines, is fully hands free
- Equal blends of two of our most prestigious vineyards, Little Bit and Ladybug Vineyard
- Hand-picked at night at full, but not excessive, maturity
- Lightly pressed, native yeast fermented, full malolactic, sur lie, two-year elevage
Description
"Laughing Lands" is made from two distinctive vineyards at Hudson Ranch. Little Bit and Ladybug are planted to heritage selections of shot Wente Chardonnay, prized for their low yields, high concentration, early maturity, minerality and liveliness. As the name suggests it is a joyous amalgam of the thoughtful and the imaginary. Elegant, long, round and full of backbone, the wine displays a sunny disposition. It is lip-smacking delicious and worthy of a warm embrace.
Wine Facts
- Wine is unfiltered
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Clayton Kirchhoff
Winemaker, Hudson Ranch
Working with Hudson wines since 2013, Clayton's winemaking journey is one of both passion and dedication. Raised on his family's vineyard in the AVA of Clarksburg, California, Clayton was tasked with driving tractors and working harvests alongside his siblings before school, which laid a strong foundation for his love of the land. After earning a BA in Business Economics at UC Santa Barbara, Clayton spent a semester abroad in Italy. It was here that he was pulled back to his roots. Soon after he moved to Napa and committed to pursuing a career in wine. Clayton has worked with some of the best winemakers in the world at esteemed houses such as Pingus in Spain, and Realm, Failla, and White Rock Vineyards in Napa Valley. His goal with each vintage is to express a sense of place, relying on precision and intuition in his winemaking. He has been a winemaker at Hudson since 2018, diligently tending to each vineyard site, and guiding the Hudson fruit into wines of balance and complexity.
Country born: United States
Education: Mentors: Ehren Jordan, Mike Hirby, Luc Morlet, Peter Sisseck, Christopher Vandendriessche, John Kongsgaard, Lee Hudson
Foreign Internships: Dominio de Pingus in Ribera del Duero, Spain; and Corban’s in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Education: Napa Valley College and UCDavis extension classwork
Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years
Honors / Awards:
SF Chronicle Winemaker to Watch 2016
Winemaking Philosophy:
I think the best winemaking is invisible. Diligence in the cellar and impeccably grown fruit allow this to be possible. There are techniques and additives that can be applied to wine to build things that were not there to begin with, but if you work really hard at the craft of cellar work, endeavor to have clean ferments, and don’t pick grapes out of balance, you can make very pure wines. Wines that then show one growing season from one place can be magical things.
Nakagawa Wine Co.
3-1-3, Kotobashi, Sumida-Ku
Tokyo 130-0022
Japan
81-3-5829-8161
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Nakagawa Wine Co.:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coquerel Family Wine Estates | 2023 | Sauvignon Blanc | Calistoga | Walnut Wash Vineyard | 28 (2024) |
| Dakota Shy | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Best Barrel | 28 (2024) |
| Fait-Main, Tierra Roja Vineyards | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Legacy | 28 (2024) |
| Grieve Family Winery | 2022 | Sauvignon Blanc | Napa Valley | 28 (2024) | |
| Marciano Estate | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | La Révérence | 28 (2024) |
| Merryvale Vineyards | 2023 | Chardonnay | Napa Valley | Silhouette | 28 (2024) |
| Pahlmeyer | 2022 | Merlot | Napa Valley | Right Bank Red | 28 (2024) |
| Panek Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Now IS The Time to Panek | 28 (2024) |
| Paraduxx | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Rector Creek Bordeaux Blend | 28 (2024) |
| Perchance Estates | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 28 (2024) | |
| S. R. Tonella Cellars | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 28 (2024) | |
| Coquerel Family Wine Estates | 2022 | Sauvignon Blanc | Calistoga | Walnut Wash Vineyard | 27 (2023) |
| Duckhorn Vineyards | 2021 | Merlot | Napa Valley | THREE PALMS VINEYARD BLOCK 5 | 27 (2023) |
| Fait-Main & Tierra Roja Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Touquette’s Baguette | 27 (2023) |
| Lewis Cellars | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 27 (2023) | |
| Merryvale Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Estate Vineyard | 27 (2023) |
| O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 27 (2023) | |
| Paraduxx | 2021 | Red Table Wine | Napa Valley | RECTOR CREEK VINEYARD | 27 (2023) |
| Quixote Winery | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | The Dragon's Windmill | 27 (2023) |
| S. R. Tonella Cellars | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 27 (2023) | |
| THE GRADE Cellars | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | Metamorphosis | 27 (2023) |
| To Kalon Vineyard Company | 2021 | Red Wine | Oakville | 27 (2023) | |
| TOR Wines | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 'The Centennial' Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard | 27 (2023) |
| Coquerel Family Wine Estates | 2021 | Sauvignon Blanc | Calistoga | Walnut Wash Vineyard | 26 (2022) |
| Covert Estate | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | Clone 341 | 26 (2022) |
| Duckhorn Vineyards | 2020 | Merlot | Napa Valley | Three Palms Merlot Block 4 | 26 (2022) |
| Lewis Cellars | 2020 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 26 (2022) | |
| Quixote Winery | 2020 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | La Locura de Don | 26 (2022) |
| Stag's Leap Wine Cellars | 2020 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | FAY Block 2A | 26 (2022) |
| Viader Vineyards & Winery | Non-vintage | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 26 (2022) | |
| Coquerel Family Wine Estates | 2019 | Sauvignon Blanc | Calistoga | 24 (2020) | |
| Dakota Shy | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Sure Bet | 24 (2020) |
| Hudson Ranch | 2018 | Chardonnay | Napa Valley | Laughing Lands | 24 (2020) |
| Hyde Estate Winery | 2019 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Larry Hyde | 24 (2020) |
| Inglenook | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Rutherford Bench Redux | 24 (2020) |
| JaM Cellars | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | 24 (2020) | |
| ONEHOPE | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Oakville | 24 (2020) |
| QTR | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Cascade View | 24 (2020) |
| Round Pond Estate | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | SVS Gravel Series Blend | 24 (2020) |
| Saintsbury | 2019 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Lee Vineyard Clonal Blend | 24 (2020) |
| Staglin Family Vineyard | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 24 (2020) | |
| Terra Valentine | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | Night Sky | 24 (2020) |
| THE GRADE Cellars | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | Into The Mystic | 24 (2020) |
| Titus Vineyards | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 24 (2020) | |
| Zakin Family Estate | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Jan's Jewel | 24 (2020) |
| Brilliant Mistake Wines | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | The Poet & The Muse | 23 (2019) |
| Dakota Shy | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Guardian | 23 (2019) |
| Duckhorn Vineyards | 2017 | Merlot | Calistoga | Three Palms Vineyard -Block Selection | 23 (2019) |
| Honig Vineyard & Winery | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Campbell Hillside | 23 (2019) |
| Jones Family Vineyards | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 23 (2019) | |
| Larkmead Vineyards | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | The Lark Ascending | 23 (2019) |
| Lewis Cellars | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Premiere | 23 (2019) |
| Marciano Estate | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | La Gratitude | 23 (2019) |
| Merus | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | 23 (2019) | |
| Palazzo Wine | 2017 | Cabernet Franc | Los Carneros | Midnight Angel | 23 (2019) |
| Stony Hill Vineyard | 2018 | Chardonnay | Spring Mountain District | 23 (2019) | |
| Twomey | 2017 | Merlot | Napa Valley | 23 (2019) | |
| Arietta | 2016 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | First Franc | 22 (2018) |
| Coquerel Family Wine Estates | 2017 | Sauvignon Blanc | Calistoga | Terroir Walnut Wash | 22 (2018) |
| Domaine Chandon | 2008 | Brut Sparkling Wine | Yountville | 22 (2018) | |
| Duckhorn Vineyards | 2016 | Merlot | Napa Valley | Three Palms Vineyard, Block 5 Selection | 22 (2018) |
| JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Decadence | 22 (2018) |
| Lewis Cellars | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Premiere | 22 (2018) |
| Luna Vineyards | 2016 | Sangiovese | Napa Valley | Riserva | 22 (2018) |
| Paraduxx | 2016 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Premiere Blend | 22 (2018) |
| Saintsbury | 2017 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Lee Vineyard Clonal Blend | 22 (2018) |
| Schramsberg Vineyards | 1997 | Sparkling Wine | Napa Valley | Schramsberg Reserve Late Disgorged | 22 (2018) |
| Stag's Leap Wine Cellars | 2016 | Cabernet Franc | Stags Leap District | S.L.V. First Growth Cabernet Franc | 22 (2018) |
| Viader Vineyards & Winery | 2016 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Homenaje | 22 (2018) |
| Yao Family Wines | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 22 (2018) | |
| Coquerel Family Wine Estates | 2016 | Sauvignon Blanc | Calistoga | 21 (2017) | |
| Dana Estates | 2015 | Sauvignon Blanc | Howell Mountain | 21 (2017) | |
| Duckhorn Vineyards | 2015 | Merlot | Calistoga | Three Palms Vineyard Block Selection | 21 (2017) |
| Favia Erickson Winegrowers | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Homage to Antonio | 21 (2017) |
| Lewis Cellars | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 21 (2017) | |
| Marciano Estate | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 21 (2017) | |
| Nickel & Nickel | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | John C. Sullenger Vineyard | 21 (2017) |
| Pahlmeyer | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Pièce de Résistance | 21 (2017) |
| Rutherford Hill Winery | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 21 (2017) | |
| Saintsbury | 2016 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Lee Vineyard Clonal Blend | 21 (2017) |
| Sciandri Family Vineyards | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | I Am Delicious | 21 (2017) |
| Staglin Family Vineyard | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Booth Bella Oaks | 21 (2017) |
| Stag's Leap Wine Cellars | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | S.L.V. Grande Dame | 21 (2017) |
| Beringer Vineyards | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 20 (2016) | |
| Bouchaine Vineyards | 2015 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Best Barrel | 20 (2016) |
| Duckhorn Vineyards | 2014 | Merlot | Napa Valley | 20 (2016) | |
| Lewis Cellars | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 20 (2016) | |
| Ovid Napa Valley | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | S.P.Q.R. | 20 (2016) |
| Pahlmeyer | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 20 (2016) | |
| Rutherford Hill Winery | 2014 | Merlot | Rutherford | 20 (2016) | |
| Ca' Momi | 2013 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | 19 (2015) | |
| Freemark Abbey | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | York Creek Vineyard | 19 (2015) |
| Kata | 2013 | Red Wine | St. Helena | Benny's Blend | 19 (2015) |
| Lewis Cellars | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Premiere Blend | 19 (2015) |
| Paraduxx | 2013 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Premiere Blend | 19 (2015) |
| Pulido~Walker | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | The Possible II | 19 (2015) |
| Tetra | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Mountain Song | 19 (2015) |
| Aloft Wine | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 18 (2014) | |
| Amuse Bouche Winery | 2012 | Merlot | St. Helena | Heidi's Mouth-Watering Cuvee | 18 (2014) |
| Anomaly Vineyards | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | 18 (2014) | |
| Favia Erickson Winegrowers | 2012 | Red Wine | Coombsville | The Century Egg | 18 (2014) |
| Flying Horse Winery | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Yuiho | 18 (2014) |
| Kapcsandy Family Winery | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | State Lane Vineyard | 18 (2014) |
| Lewis Cellars | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Premiere Blend | 18 (2014) |
| Memento Mori | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard | 18 (2014) |
| Acacia Vineyard | 2012 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Lone Tree Vineyard | 17 (2013) |
| Duckhorn Vineyards | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Three Palms Vineyard Barrel Selection | 17 (2013) |
| Erba Mountainside Vineyards | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Winemaker's Selection | 17 (2013) |
| Gandona Estate | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 17 (2013) | |
| Kitchak Cellars | 2011 | Merlot | Napa Valley | Symphony | 17 (2013) |
| Lewis Cellars | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Premiere Blend | 17 (2013) |
| PureCru Napa Valley | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Secret 7 Selection (S-7-S) | 17 (2013) |
| Revana Family Vineyard | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Premiere Cuvée | 17 (2013) |
| Amuse Bouche Winery | 2010 | Merlot | Napa Valley | 16 (2012) | |
| Artesa Vineyards & Winery | 2011 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Estate | 16 (2012) |
| Kapcsandy Family Winery | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | 16 (2012) | |
| Lewis Cellars | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Best of the Best Premiere Blend | 16 (2012) |
| Ovid Napa Valley | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Hexameter | 16 (2012) |
| Revana Family Vineyard | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Premiere Cuvee | 16 (2012) |
| Tuck Beckstoffer Wines | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 16 (2012) | |
| Hestan Vineyards | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Stephanie | 15 (2011) |
| Lewis Cellars | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Premiere Blend | 15 (2011) |
| Scarecrow Wine | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Toto’s Opium Dream: Scene II | 15 (2011) |
| Schramsberg Vineyards | 1985 | Sparkling Wine | Napa Valley | Late Disgorged Blanc de Blancs | 15 (2011) |
| Tuck Beckstoffer Wines | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 15 (2011) | |
| Anomaly Vineyards | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | 14 (2010) | |
| Antica Napa Valley - Antinori Family Wine Estate | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Townsend Vineyard | 14 (2010) |
| Chimney Rock Winery | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Tomahawk Vineyard, Premiere Cuvée | 14 (2010) |
| Freemark Abbey | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | York Creek Cabernet | 14 (2010) |
| Gargiulo Vineyards | 2008 | Red Wine | Oakville | OVX Estate Blend | 14 (2010) |
| Lewis Cellars | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Premiere Blend | 14 (2010) |
| Livingston Moffett Wines, LLC | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | 14 (2010) | |
| Paoletti Estates Winery | 2008 | Nero d'Avola | Calistoga | 14 (2010) | |
| Schrader Cellars, LLC | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Double Diamond Turbo X | 14 (2010) |
| Schramsberg Vineyards | 1994 | Sparkling Wine | Napa Valley | 1994 Reserve - Late Disgorged | 14 (2010) |
| TOR Kenward Family Wines | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | To Kalon Vineyard | 14 (2010) |
| Truchard Vineyards | 2009 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | 14 (2010) | |
| Tuck Beckstoffer Wines | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 14 (2010) | |
| Amuse Bouche Winery | 2007 | Merlot | Napa Valley | Pomerol Blend-Merlot/Cabernet Franc | 13 (2009) |
| Howell at the Moon | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | Knoll | 13 (2009) |
| Lewis Cellars | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Premiere Blend | 13 (2009) |
| Ovid Napa Valley | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Apotheca | 13 (2009) |
| PlumpJack Winery | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | I Block Reserve | 13 (2009) |
| Revana Family Vineyard | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Premiere Cuvee | 13 (2009) |
| Scarecrow Wine | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Toto’s Opium Dream | 13 (2009) |
| Amuse Bouche Winery | 2006 | Merlot | Napa Valley | Pomerol Blend | 12 (2008) |
| Duckhorn Vineyards | 2006 | Merlot | Napa Valley | 12 (2008) | |
| Lewis Cellars | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Premiere Blend | 12 (2008) |
| PlumpJack Winery | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | I Block | 12 (2008) |
| TOR Kenward Family Wines | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Beckstoffer To Kalon Best Barrels | 12 (2008) |
| Amuse Bouche Winery | 2005 | Red Wine | St. Helena | 11 (2007) | |
| Lewis Cellars | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Premiere Blend | 11 (2007) |
| Paraduxx | 2005 | 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Zinfandel, 3% Cabernet Franc | Yountville | 11 (2007) | |
| PlumpJack Winery | 2005 | Syrah | Los Carneros | 11 (2007) | |
| Staglin Family Vineyard | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 11 (2007) | |
| Volker Eisele Family Estate | 2005 | Red Table Wine | Chiles Valley District | 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot | 11 (2007) |
| Zahtila Vineyards | 2005 | Zinfandel | Calistoga | Oat Hill Estate Barrel Select | 11 (2007) |
| Corison Winery | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Premiere Reserve | 10 (2006) |
| Duckhorn Vineyards | 2004 | Merlot | Oakville | 10 (2006) | |
| Lewis Cellars | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | PREMIER CUVEE | 10 (2006) |
| Lokoya | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 10 (2006) | |
| Paraduxx | 2004 | Red Wine | Yountville | Rector Creek Vineyard | 10 (2006) |
| Shafer Vineyards | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Sunspot Vineyard | 10 (2006) |
| Viader Vineyards and Winery | 2004 | Petit Verdot | Howell Mountain | "V" | 10 (2006) |
| Spring Mountain Vineyard | 1999 | Syrah | Spring Mountain District | Miravalle | 5 (2001) |
Winery Distribution
Hudson Ranch is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
Domestic:
- Arizona (Maverick)
- Colorado (Maverick)
- Florida (Maverick)
- Massachusetts (Classics/Martignetti)
- Michigan (Woodberry)
- Minnesota (Rootstock)
- Missouri (A Bommarito)
- New Jersey (MS Walker)
- New York (MS Walker)
- North Carolina (Advintage)
- Ohio (Private Reserve)
- Oklahoma (Thirst)
- Pennsylvania (Newman Wine)
- South Carolina (Advintage)
- Texas (Serendipity)
- Virginia (Roanoke)
- Washington (Downtown Spirits)
International:
- Austria (Kracher)
- Belgium (Marc Buelinckx)
- Canada - Alberta (Artisan Wines)
- Canada - Ontario (Cru Wine Merchants)
- Czech Republic (Californian Wines)
- Denmark (Fine Wine APS)
- Finland (Thirsty Bear)
- Germany (Freund)
- Hong Kong (Ponti Trading LTD)
- India (Fratelli Wine)
- Japan (Nakagawa)
- Luxembourg (Vimowa)
- Netherlands (Dielen)
- Norway (Vinarius)
- Philippines (Estate Wine)
- Singapore (Fermented)
- South Korea (Wine 2 U)
- Switzerland (Martel)
- Thailand (Wine Merchant)
- United Kingdom (Wine Treasury Limited)