Chris Hyde

Carneros, Napa Valley. The beauty of this place is stunning. The cool, crisp morning air paired with the rolling hills cloaked in grapevines of spring green, summer gold, or autumn red, depending on the time of year, makes for a breath-taking drive through this part of California wine country, specifically Carneros Highway. In this picturesque region with closely manicured vines that we all have the pleasure of enjoying as we pass through is where the Hyde family has cultivated and been stewards of the land for generations. 

The Hydes have been in California since the late 1800s. In 1979, Larry Hyde – considered one of the pioneers of California’s second AVA, Los Carneros, Napa Valley – bought 100 acres of pasture and fruit orchards and planted 72 acres of vines founding Hyde Vineyards. It was here where his sons, Peter and Chris, grew up working in the vineyards and experimenting with homemade wine. 

Chris Hyde remembers his childhood in the vineyards with fond memories. “I was intrigued by the outdoor and farming part of the wine business - the plant biology, entomology, and the chemistry,” said Chris. He went on to complete his undergraduate studies in agricultural business. “Farming combined with business made sense to me because it connects everything that we do from soil to grape to winemaking.” 

Upon graduation, Chris took up various roles in sales, viticulture, and cellar management before returning to the family farm where he worked different jobs to learn the business. He eventually took over as vineyard manager in 2011, overseeing 200 acres of vineyard and 40 winery clients in Napa and Sonoma. “I like being out in the field watching things grow. It is satisfying to see a smile on people’s faces, knowing that I’ve done my part to provide a quality product and delivering good fruit to the winemakers, and hard work is going into creating successful businesses and opportunities for others.”

Chris went on to manage all operations for the family farm as he took on more responsibilities of different areas of the business. As general manager, Chris is responsible for compliance, tax reporting, and, what he enjoys most, replanting vineyards, making decisions on root stock and clone selection choices, making budget and long-term decisions and plans, working with the employees in the field, and managing external environmental and regulatory climates.

“I also enjoy playing a larger role in my community, participating in events and charities, and being a contributing member to local organizations.” Chris is director of the Napa County Farm Bureau board and recently joined the Winegrape Pest & Disease Control District board. “We manage new and existing threats to farming, fund and assess all grapes bought and sold in Napa, and provide scholarships for youth furthering their education in agriculture. Getting involved in the community is important to me because we have to continue to grow and innovate the way we do business and invest in the next generation.”

An important part of Chris’ work, in addition to carrying on his father’s legacy, is being a good steward of the land. “All of our vineyards are certified Napa Green and Fish Friendly Farming. We use natural composting and avoid putting herbicides into the ground. We do meticulous hand work to make sure we're being respectful of our soil and environment.”

In 2017, Chris co-founded Hyde Estate Winery with his father, originally serving up their pinot noir made from an exclusive selection of grapes from the land that has been used by some of the most highly acclaimed wine producers in Napa and Sonoma Valley. Chris helped get the finance together and built the winery with the family after years of producing their wines in a custom crush facility. “It was an interesting challenge for me because we were in the middle of constructing the winery and I wasn’t sure about the business plan once the building was completed.”

The Larry Hyde wine brand that Chris’ father launched in 2009 had grown a little bit. They had added more varietals, including sauvignon blanc, viognier, syrah, merlot, and chardonnay, in addition to pinot noir. “I was toying with ideas of how we can create success with our growing brand and new winery. That was when I decided to jump into the Sonoma Executive MBA in Wine Business program at Sonoma State University. I had been looking for seven years waiting for the right master’s program to come along. The Sonoma Executive MBA in Wine Business offered the schedule and curriculum that allowed me to complete my master’s education while teaching me how to bring our family’s vision to fruition.”

“Professor Eric Sims’ Strategy in Practice class has been the most beneficial. We had opportunities to work with different businesses and winery owners developing strategies of success that tackled various internal and external forces. In addition, I had a network of fellow students and professors who were good resources as I explored how my family was going to develop our new winery into a successful business model. The program gave me a lot of resources and confidence to move our wine brand into the winery. I would not have seen myself in the position had I not gone through the program and learned everything I learned.”

“The program exposed me to different business models and gave me a greater appreciation for different businesses that I am a part of. I am a better business partner when I’m at the table, in particular with our other boutique winery, HdV (Hyde de Villaine) Wines.” HdV Wines is a partnership between the Hyde family and the de Villaine family of Burgundy and focuses on a more Burgundian approach to the Hyde Vineyard fruit.