Hughes Family Vineyards
At the intersection of Sonoma Valley, Sonoma Mountain and Bennett Valley, Keith and Cherie Hughes have found a calling with their Hughes Family Vineyards.
Formerly, Keith served as Chairman and CEO of a major Dallas financial service company while Cherie had a private clinical psychology practice. Now the couple lovingly tends their Wild Turkey and Savannah Vineyards at 800+ feet above the Sonoma Valley floor. Only half of the 25-acre property is under vine, the rest of the “garden” includes olive, apple, pear and cherry trees, lavender and roses. From day one, they have used all organic techniques.
“It is extremely important to us to be involved every step of the way, from the flowering of buds in the spring, to harvest in the fall, then enjoying our great wines with our friends and family,” says Cherie.
Veteran Winemaker Rolando Herrera handcrafts their scant 1,100 cases each year. Rolando has made wine for other notable wineries including Stags Leap, Chateau Potelle, and Vine Cliff, and the wines from his personal brand, Mi Sueño, have been served at the White House.
“Besides the obvious artistry of our winemaker, we believe three main things contribute to the uniqueness of our wine,” says Keith. “Our volcanic soils that are rich in minerals, our hillside terroir with its warm days and nights cooled by the ocean air, and our wine is made solely with fruit from our organically farmed vineyard.”
The fabulous wines we featured:
2013 Adios Sonoma Valley Red Wine
- Gold Medal, Sunset Magazine International Wine Competition
- Pair With: A versatile wine, equally at home when sipping with cheeses or charcuterie as it is when paired with steaks or burgers on the grill. Try it with a veggie quiche - a surprisingly fun pairing.
- Enjoy now or hold up to 15 years.
Tasting Notes: The deep, fruity Syrah and rich Cabernet beautifully integrate into a wine with haunting flavors. Red fruits are accentuated with hints of spice and caramel. It is smooth and rich on the palate with a mellow finish that adds to this wine’s appeal.
Winemaker's Notes
2013 Adios Sonoma Valley Red Wine: The organically farmed Wild Turkey Vineyard in Sonoma Valley supplied most of the fruit. It sits at an elevation of 900 feet, overlooking the Mayacamus Mountain range. The soil is volcanic. The Cabernet Sauvignon came from Winemaker Rolando Herrera’s private Napa Valley vineyard.
Sonoma County
Keith and Cherie Hughes
Rolando Herrera