About

OUR STORY

WHO WE ARE

Hillwalker is a boutique vineyard located on Mt. Veeder in the Napa Valley at 1,000 feet. This is a special place that represents the ruggedness of the mountain, but also the elegance that comes from fingers of fog that push into the vineyard during the early morning hours, and quickly retreat as the sun asserts its dominance throughout the day.

We are privileged to be stewards of this land, and strive to follow an ethos of care, attention to detail, and coaxing the magic from a natural place. We listen, observe, and weave these elements into something distinctive — something we can share with you.

WHO WE ARE

Hillwalker is a boutique vineyard located on Mt. Veeder in the Napa Valley at 1,000 feet. This is a special place that represents the ruggedness of the mountain, but also the elegance that comes from fingers of fog that push into the vineyard during the early morning hours, and quickly retreat as the sun asserts its dominance throughout the day.

We are privileged to be stewards of this land, and strive to follow an ethos of care, attention to detail, and coaxing the magic from a natural place. We listen, observe, and weave these elements into something distinctive — something we can share with you.

FARMING

Our vineyard is farmed 100% organically. We use whey sprays to both cool the vines and contribute to a healthy biome in the vineyard. We apply stinging nettle, comfrey, and other plant based teas to balance out the nutritional needs of the vines. We dry-farm, because we want the vines to naturally acclimate to their environs and produce the amount of fruit they can sustainably support, with the added benefit of water conservation. 

We want these vines to last, to age, develop character, present soft, integrated tannins, and continue to tell their story. We strive for fruit that is complex, complete in its flavor spectrum, and special. Yield is of secondary importance.

FARMING

Our vineyard is farmed 100% organically. We use whey sprays to both cool the vines and contribute to a healthy biome in the vineyard. We apply stinging nettle, comfrey, and other plant based teas to balance out the nutritional needs of the vines. We dry-farm, because we want the vines to naturally acclimate to their environs and produce the amount of fruit they can sustainably support, with the added benefit of water conservation. 

We want these vines to last, to age, develop character, present soft, integrated tannins, and continue to tell their story. We strive for fruit that is complex, complete in its flavor spectrum, and special. Yield is of secondary importance.

THE WINE

From inception, Hillwalker has been about being true to a place with the goal of contributing something distinctive to the world. We do this by carefully tending to and controlling all the inputs, from fundamental farming decisions, when we harvest, how we treat the fruit, and how much intervention our wines receive. We age largely in concrete to retain the beauty, bouquet, and elegance that comes from our fruit. We produce true mountain wines that stand apart by being both powerful and elegant.

THE WINE

From inception, Hillwalker has been about being true to a place with the goal of contributing something distinctive to the world. We do this by carefully tending to and controlling all the inputs, from fundamental farming decisions, when we harvest, how we treat the fruit, and how much intervention our wines receive. We age largely in concrete to retain the beauty, bouquet, and elegance that comes from our fruit. We produce true mountain wines that stand apart by being both powerful and elegant.