It’s time again for this week’s Winery Profile! This week, Ultra Wine Racks & Cellars is pleased to present Hatcher Winery. Their fine wines and cozy, atmospheric tasting room are some of the Sierra foothills’ best-kept secrets.
Hatcher Winery
Hatcher Winery is located in the Sierra foothills region in Calaveras County. The owner and winemaker is Matthew Hatcher. His partner (and brother) Sewell Hatcher, as well as their assistant Scotty Hancock, form the rest of the team. The Hatchers’ knowledge and expertise have made Hatcher Winery renowned in the area and the state of California. The winery and tasting room are located in the village of Murphys. Estate vineyards are located nearby in the vicinity of Vallecito and Angels Camp.
Showcasing Limited-Production California Wines
Hatcher Winery specializes in red wines. Their grenache, barbera, and zinfandel garner rave reviews. Much like Pride Mountain Vineyards, Hatcher’s estate vineyards are located at a relatively high elevation (approximately 1,300-1,700 feet above sea level). This elevates the vines above the morning fog which blankets vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino Counties. This permits Hatcher vineyard managers to grow full-bodied red grape varietals that need lots of sunshine.
Matthew Hatcher has committed himself to collaborate with growers to produce premium grapes, coupled with the finest oak barrels for aging. Hatcher’s label includes a broad variety of accessibly priced wines. Matthew’s winemaking skills produce “powerful, yet balanced, red wines, and white wines with classic aromas, rich textures and lingering flavors of French oak,” according to the winery’s website.
Cellar Tasting Room
The Hatcher Winery in Murphys features a “historic cellar tasting room” where guests can sample premium Hatcher wines. This atmospheric spot is decorated with natural stone and also features a long marble bar. The tasting room offers guests tasty samples of the winery’s award-winning red and white wines.
Historic Location
Murphys was originally called “Murphys New Diggings.” Then, briefly, it became “Murphys Camp” before it became known as “Murphys” in 1935. John and Daniel Murphy lent the village its name. These two Irish brothers did some prospecting in the area in the 19th century. They never struck gold, but one of the brothers made a fortune as a merchant where the town of Murphys now stands. The town has prospered ever since. Murphys is often called “the Queen of the Sierra” for its affluence and its scenic location. The village is a popular destination for tourists from California’s Bay Area and Central Valley. There are more than two dozen tasting rooms in the village, which is also surrounded by vineyards. Murphys is a not-to-be-missed destination for any oenophile.
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