Smith & Hook Wines are a “sister brand” of the Hahn family’s estate. Founders Nicky Hahn and his wife Gaby Hahn first planted vineyards back in the 1970s, and thanks to them, the Santa Lucia Highlands has garnered so much respect as a wine region. They put it on the map.
Nicky Hahn, born in Switzerland, died in 2018 and left an incredible winemaking legacy. Philip Hahn, Nicky’s son, had a thriving career on Wall Street but eventually returned to his agricultural roots in Soledad to take the helm as chairman of Hahn Family Wines. He has run the business since 2007.
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve ($45) is a premium wine made with fruit sourced from three different Paso Robles vineyards. “This Reserve wine is hand-harvested from prized, sun-drenched vineyards,” says the team at Smith & Hook. The result is an intensely flavored wine with “excellent structure and naturally balanced acidity.”
Aged in French oak, this beautiful crimson wine has aromas of cherries, cassis, cedar, warm gravel and graphite—leading to plum, leather and tobacco accents. Expressive and delicious, the wine also features blackberry, dark cherry, cassis and mocha layers. It is truly a gorgeous wine—and I’m just going to pour myself another glass!
If you visit the estate in Soledad, breathtaking views of their Santa Lucia Highlands estate vineyards and the greater Salinas Valley and Gabilan Range are yours to behold—a glass of wine in hand! Or head to their tasting room in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Hahn Family Wines, 37700 Foothill Road, Soledad. 831-678-4555. smithandhook.com.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Plaza on Ocean Avenue. 831-250-7937.
Spring Wine Walk
The Downtown Association Santa Cruz holds the next Wine Walk 3-6pm, Sunday, May 1. This fun event not only supports our local wineries but is an introduction to many shops, spas and salons whose portals you might not have entered before. downtownsantacruz.com.
