WHO WE ARE

Hudson tends to mean different things to different people.
For some, it is related to the picturesque landscapes.
For others, it describes our enigmatic energy.
For us it’s a place, a feeling, and an endeavor.

CURRENT CLIENT LIST

Today, Hudson grows grapes for over 25 wineries in California, some of which produce wines from specific and distinct vineyard rows and sites, bearing the “Hudson Vineyards” designation on their labels.

Over the last 45+ years, we have grown grapes for over 100 wineries.

Alpha Omega
Amici Cellars
Amuse Bouche
Arietta
Aubert
AXR
B Cellars
Blackbird Cellars

Caymus
David Estate
DuMOL
HDV
Holy Archangels
Hourglass Wines
HQ Winery/Addax
Kistler
Konsgaard

Odette Estate
Plumpjack Cellars
Relic
Rombauer
Sequoia grove
Seven Stones
Top Winery
Venge Vineyards

Our Process

  • 1975

    Lee Studies Horticulture

    Lee earns BS in horticulture and soil science, University of Arizona Tucson.

  • 1975-1977

    Lee Works in France

    Lee moves to Burgundy to intern at Domain Dujac.

  • 1977

    Lee Studies Winemaking

    Lee begins graduate work at University of Davis in viticulture and oenology.

  • 1981

    Lee Buys the Ranch

    Lee purchases the undeveloped land in the Carneros region of Napa that would become Hudson Napa Valley.

  • 1982

    Chardonnay Planted

    First Chardonnay grapes planted.

  • 1984

    First Harvest

    First harvest, sold to John Kongsgaard & Peter Newton, and Graves & Richard Ward (Saintsbury). Additional Chardonnay planted.

  • 1986

    Cabernet Franc & Merlot Planted

    Plants Cabernet Franc and Merlot for John Kongsgaard & Peter Newton, and John Williams (Frog’s Leap).

  • 1989

    Syrah Planted

  • 1993

    Ramey Buys Chardonnay

    David Ramey begins buying Chardonnay grapes.

  • 1994

    Turley & Wetlaufer Chardonnay

    First vineyard designated Chardonnay for Helen Turley & John Wetlaufer (Marcassin).

  • 1995

    Kisler Chardonnay

    First vineyard designated Chardonnay for Steve Kistler.

  • 1996

    Client List Grows

    New vineyard clients include Tony Sotor (Etude), Larry Brooks (Acacia), Michael Havens, Bruce and Barbara Nyers, Steve MacRostie, Dick Graff (Chalone), Bruce Cakebread, Bill Dyer, and Joseph Phelps.

  • 1997

    Arietta and Kongsgaard

    Arietta and Kongsgaard begin their own labels with Hudson Vineyard grapes.

  • 1999

    Ladybug is Planted

    30- acre Ladybug Vineyard is planted.

  • 2004

    Kongsgaard Helps Shape Hudson

    John Kongsgaard helps to craft and set the style for the first Hudson-labeled wines: 150 cases of Hudson Chardonnay and 70 cases of Hudson Syrah. Grape client list grows to 26 wineries, including Byron Kosuge, Nickel & Nickel, D.R. Stephens, and Arnot Roberts.

  • 2008

    Olive Oil Program Begins

    First vintage of estate-grown Titi’s Olive Oil is created.

  • 2009

    Lee Meets Cristina

    Lee Hudson & Cristina Salas-Porras meet, begin building wine brand together.
    Hudson Greens & Goods opens at the Oxbow Public Market.

  • 2011

    First Vintage of Old Master

    First vintage of Hudson Old Master Cabernet Franc and Hudson Grenache.

  • 2014

    First Vintage of Rosé

    First vintage of Hudson Rosé of Grenache.

  • 2016

    Winery Breaks Ground

    Winery and Hospitality construction groundbreaking. First vintage of Hudson Little Bit Chardonnay and Hudson Ladybug Chardonnay.

  • 2018

    First On-Site Vintage

    First vintage made at Hudson Ranch’s own winery, including first sparkling wine. First vintage of Seashell Chardonnay.

  • 2022

    A Perfect Score

    Seashell Chardonnay vintage 2022 is the first Hudson wine to receive a perfect 100 point score.

  • 2026

    45th Anniversary of Hudson Napa Valley.

“The 2,000-acre HUDSON RANCH is one of the most celebrated properties in CARNEROS. After decades of selling his fruit to other wineries, Hudson began making wines of his own in 2004...
CHARDONNAY is a can’t-miss specialty here.”

Esther Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle