Barrel Tastings

Spring is a beautiful time in the Wine Country with vines entering their growth spurt and the hills still green from Winter’s generous rain. Here at Hafner Vineyard, it is a fun time for us, gathering with patrons for the Spring Barrel Tastings, which is one of the ways we say, “Thank you for your patronage” to members of the Annual Tasting Program and case buyers from the previous year.
It is meaningful for us to be in close contact with our patrons and most of the year that is by phone or email, so it is particularly fun when we are able to thank patrons in person. This is one of the best parts of our small family business, characterized by the gracious hospitality learned from my grandparents, Mary and Dick Hafner.

The final of this year’s four Spring Barrel Tastings was this past Saturday. All four Tastings were great successes and a delight, characterized by energetic and enthusiastic patrons and their guests as these photos demonstrate. Hosted in our Grove just outside the winery, people enjoyed light food, wine and tours by Parke and Sarah Hafner.

Assistant Winemaker Ricardo, Laura and Quinn (who both work in the office) as well as Christina (long time HV catering team member) poured wine at the wine bars and reported on patrons’ enthusiasm for the wines particularly the 2012 Library Cabernet. (If you would like to stock your cellar with this vintage, you can email us.) We always enjoy sharing an older vintage from the Wine Library as it demonstrates how the wine ages and is something fun that patrons might not have in their cellars.
Since we don’t have a tasting room, these Barrel Tastings are a wonderful way for us to connect with patrons. We are deeply honored that people travelled from other states to be here, brought a friend or two or came as multiple generations in a family. We look forward to welcoming patrons back in 2025 for our Barrel Tastings, and thanking them for being case buyers or Program members in 2024.

Year-round, we host visits on the first and third Friday of each month at 2 pm. These are more intimate, allowing for more conversation. Typically led by my mom, Sarah, she teaches people about vineyard and cellar practices and tastes wines in our caves. (If you cannot join us for the scheduled visits, please email us as we can occasionally make other arrangements. We are only open during the weekdays.) Learn all the details here.