Spring is one of the most beautiful seasons in Sonoma County’s Wine Country. The vineyard is alive with new growth as the vines enter their annual growth spurt, while the surrounding hills remain green from Winter rains. At Hafner Vineyard, Spring also brings one of our favorite traditions: our annual Barrel Tastings.
These gatherings are one of the ways we thank patrons of our Annual Tasting Program (wine club) and case buyers from the previous year. For a small, direct-to-consumer family winery like ours, most of our relationships are built over phone and email throughout the year, so being together face-to-face is something we look forward to. This tradition of gracious hospitality traces back to my grandparents, Mary and Dick Hafner, and has been carefully continued by my uncle, Scott Hafner, as well as my parents Parke and Sarah Hafner. My sister, Grace, and I are the next generation to carry on that mantle.

This year’s four Spring Barrel Tastings wrapped up this past Saturday. Held in the Grove just outside the winery, guests enjoyed light food, barrel samples, and guided tours led by Parke and Sarah.
We were pleased to share selected wines with guests including our 2022 Blanc de Blancs and a special Library 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon. This was a rare opportunity to taste a well aged Alexander Valley Cabernet that most patrons don’t have in their cellars. Pouring older vintages from our Wine Library is one of our favorite ways to show how our Cabernet Sauvignon ages over time as well as honor our guests.

Patrons and their guests traveled from all over the country to visit, and we are deeply honored by their presence. These gatherings are a highlight to our year.

Visit Hafner Vineyard Year-Round

In addition to our annual Spring Barrel Tastings, we host intimate winery visits on the first and third Friday of each month at 2 pm. These smaller experiences allow for deeper conversations about vineyard management, sustainable farming practices, and winemaking. Visits are typically led by Sarah Hafner and include wine tasting in our caves as well as insights and behind the scenes in both vineyard and cellar operations.

If you are unable to attend on one of the scheduled dates, please contact us. While we are open only on weekdays, we can accommodate alternative arrangements.

We look forward to sharing our wines, our vineyard, and our family’s story with you.

Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting:

How do patrons get invited to a Spring Barrel Tasting?
The Spring Barrel Tastings are our way of thanking patrons who are part of the Annual Tasting Program (wine club) or purchase a case of wine or more in the prior year.

Does Hafner Vineyard have a tasting room?
No, we do not have a public tasting room. Instead, we host scheduled visits that are more intimate and educational as well as these Barrel Tastings in the Spring.

Can visitors tour the vineyard and winery?
Yes. Scheduled visits include vineyard and winery education, wine tasting, and cave tours led by members of the Hafner family.

What are Library wines?
Library wines are older vintages that we’ve carefully stored by the winery to showcase how wines develop and improve with age.

How can I visit Hafner Vineyard?
We host visits on the first and third Friday of each at 2 pm month by appointment or upon request during the week. Please email Kate@hafnervineyard.com to make arrangements.