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Frequently Asked Questions
All About Hafner Vineyard
Is Hafner Vineyard a true family winery?
Yes! Our small family business is in its third generation with the fourth generation helping. Mary and Dick Hafner founded the business in 1967. Brothers Parke and Scott Hafner have been part of the family enterprise since 1982 and 1984 respectively. Parke's wife Sarah Hafner also joined the team in 1982. Parke oversees the vineyard and winemaking while Scott oversees the business side. Sisters Kate and Grace (Parke and Sarah's daughters) joined Hafner Vineyard. Kate works with Scott, and Grace works with Parke. Kate's two children (the fourth generation) also come to help during the winery events and harvest.
Where is Hafner Vineyard located?
Hafner Vineyard is located in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley about 15 minutes from Healdsburg, CA.
Where can I buy Hafner wine?
Our wines are only sold direct to people at home across the US, no retail shops. You can order online or call/text us (707-433-4606) or email Scott (scott@hafnervineyard.com). We look forward to helping you.
How long can I age Hafner wines?
Every wine evolves over time, revealing new aromas and flavors as it ages. While every bottle and cellar is different, these are our general recommendations:
Cabernet Sauvignon: Enjoy anytime from release through 20 years from the vintage date.
Next Red: Best enjoyed through 15 years from the vintage date.
Chardonnay and Reserve Chardonnay: Drink within 6 years from the vintage date.
Blanc de Blancs: We're still discovering its aging potential and continue to enjoy seeing how each vintage develops.
Rosé: We prefer to enjoy it while it's young, fresh, and vibrant.
These are completely subjective though. The most important aspect is to trust your own taste.
As our red wines mature, bright fruit flavors and firm tannins gradually give way to softer textures and more earthy, savory, and complex characteristics.
Our Chardonnays also evolve beautifully over time. Fresh citrus and melon notes slowly develop into flavors of pear, flint, mineral, and crème brûlée, creating a richer and more layered expression of the wine.
Wine Questions
What are your vineyard practices?
Our wine begins long before Harvest. Throughout the growing season, we carefully manage each vine with winter pruning then comes shoot positioning and leaf removal by hand in the Spring to encourage uniform ripening. Our commitment to quality extends beyond the vines themselves. We have farmed without herbicides for more than 30 years, relying instead on sustainable farming practices like under the vine cultivation with our electric tractor. Cover crops improve soil structure and biodiversity, while insectary rows attract beneficial insects that help maintain a balanced vineyard ecosystem. By combining meticulous farming with sustainable practices, we produce wines that are balanced and elegant with a focus on ageability.
What is your winemaking philosophy?
Our approach to winemaking is guided by patience, precision and a commitment to crafting wines that will age gracefully for years to come. Inspired by the traditions of Bordeaux for our Cabernet Sauvignon and Burgundy for our Chardonnay, we allow each wine the time it needs to develop naturally. We favor longer aging in barrel than many wineries, creating greater complexity, integration, and structure before bottling. Rather than chasing trends or emphasizing power, we focus on balance, elegance, and consistency from vintage to vintage. The result is age-worthy, food-friendly wines that are enjoyable upon release and continue to evolve beautifully in the cellar for many years.
When should I enjoy your wines?
Every wine evolves over time, revealing new aromas and flavors as it ages. While every bottle and cellar is different, these are our general recommendations:
Cabernet Sauvignon: Enjoy anytime from release through 20 years from the vintage date.
Next Red: Best enjoyed through 15 years from the vintage date.
Chardonnay and Reserve Chardonnay: Drink within 6 years from the vintage date.
Blanc de Blancs: We're still discovering its aging potential and continue to enjoy seeing how each vintage develops.
Rosé: We prefer to enjoy it while it's young, fresh, and vibrant.
These are completely subjective though. The most important aspect is to trust your own taste.
As our red wines mature, bright fruit flavors and firm tannins gradually give way to softer textures and more earthy, savory, and complex characteristics.
Our Chardonnays also evolve beautifully over time. Fresh citrus and melon notes slowly develop into flavors of pear, flint, mineral, and crème brûlée, creating a richer and more layered expression of the wine.
Do I need to store wine on its side?
Yes, if it has a cork. Laying the bottle on its side keeps the cork moist, which prevents it from drying out and letting air in. If the wine has a screw cap or synthetic cork, it's not as important. That said, sparkling wines do not need to be stored on their side because the pressure in the bottle keeps that cork moist.
At home, the main goal is to keep wine cool, dark, and stable. Temperatures that fluctuate 10 degrees is fine; it’s the higher swings which cause wine to age faster. A wine fridge is great, but I recommend having the fridge temperature around 60°. A interior closet or cupboard away from heat and light will do just fine for short-term storage.
How long does wine last once it's opened?
Once you open a bottle, oxygen starts to interact with the wine, which changes its flavor. In general:
White wines and Rosé last about 3 – 5 days in the fridge.
Red wines can last 3 – 4 days at room temperature or slightly cooler, depending on how the wine is made.
Rule of thumb: if it smells good and tastes good, it's still good. Trust your senses.
Wine Myth: for every day a bottle is open on the counter, it represents one year of additional aging. That’s not a perfect solution but it can help to demonstrate how a wine might age.
What temperature should I serve wine at?
Serving wine at the right temperature can enhance its flavors and aromas. Here's a general guide:
White wines and Rosé: Serve chilled, around 50-60°F.
Red wines: Serve slightly below room temperature, around 60–68°F.
Sparkling wines: Serve well-chilled, around 40–45°F.
Remember, if a wine is too cold, its flavors can be muted; if it's too warm, the alcohol can dominate. Adjusting the serving temperature can make a noticeable difference in your wine experience.
What corkscrew should I use?
Great question! It depends.
For most bottles of wine, a traditional corkscrew is the best choice. It is simple, reliable and works well for everyday bottles.
For older wines with fragile corks, we recommend a double-pronged corkscrew, or Ah-So. Instead of pulling directly through the center of the cork, the two prongs slide between the cork and the neck of the bottle, helping remove an older cork without breaking it apart.
At Hafner, we use both approaches depending on the bottle. The most important thing is to match the corkscrew to the age and condition of the wine. For older bottles, take your time and handle the cork gently.
Should I decant Cabernet Sauvignon?
For a younger Cabernet, decanting can help the wine open up and develop more quickly. An easy way to decide is to pour a small amount into your glass and taste it. Then swirl the wine several times to aerate it and taste again. If you prefer the wine after swirling, that's a good indication that the bottle will benefit from decanting.
For an older Cabernet, we generally recommend not decanting. Older wines are more delicate, and exposure to oxygen can accelerate their development and cause subtle aromas to fade. Instead, stand the bottle upright several hours before serving so sediment settles, then pour slowly and carefully, leaving the sediment behind.
For a large format: Here's the caveat! If it's a large format and you don't want to serve it out of a large bottle, decant it (no matter the age) just before serving.
In short: Young Cabernet → try decanting. Older Cabernet → pour carefully without decanting.
Ordering
When will my order be shipped?
With every order placed, we will contact you to confirm when we will ship the wine. We typically ship every Monday.
Can I change my order once it is placed?
After your order is placed online, we do not bill you immediately. We look at every order and confirm the details. We will reach out to you to let you know what day we will ship the wine and when to expect it. If you need to make any changes or cancel your order, you can do so before we ship the wine.
Where can I buy Hafner wine?
You can order from us right here online. You can also call us at 707-433-4606 or email scott@hafnervineyard.com. We are always happy to help.
Shipping
How do you ship the wine?
We ship UPS Ground or FedEx upon request. We also make deliveries ourselves in the Bay Area for patrons who order a case of wine or more. The cost of shipping varies between $7 for a 2 bottle package to between $15-$36 for a case in the Continental US. We subsidize over half of the shipping charge because we know wine is heavy and expensive to ship. Learn more about our shipping here.
Do I need to be home to receive my shipment?
UPS (and FedEx) require an adult signature. If UPS misses you on their first attempt, they will hold your wine at an Access Point nearby and let you know where it is. Access Points can be UPS Stores, CVS, Michael's, or other businesses. You will need a government issued ID to pick up the package.
Can I ship to a business address?
Yes, definitely. We suggest you ship to a business so that there is an adult there to sign for the package.
Can I delay or hold a shipment?
We can easily hold or delay a shipment for you, whether it's due to weather or you are traveling or you want it shipped elsewhere. The sooner you let us know, the better. We can hold or delay shipments that are planned months in advance. This is a great idea when planning for gift giving. Please let us know no later than one week before the shipment is scheduled to be sent.
Can I pick up wine at the winery?
We are happy to hold the wine for you to pick up. We are open weekdays from 8 am until 4:30 pm. Please let us know if you'd like to do this and we will share more details.
Do you ship overseas?
Unfortunately, we do not ship overseas. There is one wine shop in the world that carries Hafner wine which is in London and is called "The Winery".
Annual Tasting Program
What is the Annual Tasting Program?
It is our wine club where you receive two bottles of each release at the best price possible. Learn more about the Annual Tasting Program here.
Visit
Can I visit Hafner Vineyard?
We host tours and tastings on the first and third Friday of each month at 2 pm. The visit is about 90 minutes and led by a family member. Guests visit the vineyard and cellar then taste barrel samples, current releases and Library vintages in our caves.
If our tour days do not work into your schedule, please contact us to see if we can arrange another day. We are open weekdays only.
Do I need a reservation?
Reservations are required. Please call 707-433-4606 or email Kate@hafnervineyard.com to reserve your space.
What is the cost of the tour and tasting?
The tour and tasting is $40/person waived with a three bottle purchase per person that day. As a perk for being in the Annual Tasting Program, we are happy to waive two tasting fees per year.
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ageworthy wines
Made to age & pair with food.
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For generations & the land.


