About Us
Artisan Family Winery
copy.jpg "The Hartford family holding glasses of wine")
High Risk, High-Reward Wines
Led by acclaimed winemaker Jeff Stewart, our team has a singular focus: craft delicious wines with loads of personality. Often, this means choosing vineyards in the most difficult locations — steep slopes, windy bluffs or foggy valleys — where yields are low but the fruit is intensely flavored. We take the risk that, in some vintages, the adversity the vines face will be so extreme that we may not be able to make a wine from that site—but the reward of a more complex, exciting, and dynamic wine in the years we can is too good to pass up.
You see, “character through adversity” doesn’t just apply to people; challenging growing conditions stress the vines to deliver high‑personality wines.
Hartford Family Winery was founded in 1994 by Don and Jennifer Hartford, a reflection of their admiration for the wines, the people, and the exceptional vineyards near their Russian River Valley home.
Located in the little Sonoma County town of Forestville, the winery is nestled in the redwoods just 15 miles from the cool Pacific Coast.
Each year, we make over 30 single vineyard bottlings from across as many as seven distinct American Viticultural Areas. Our winemaking team uses artisan techniques to highlight the unique character of each vineyard site, producing beautiful and unique wines with a sense of place. Each of these wines are highly allocated. Some of our limited-production Hartford Court Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays can total as few as 93 cases, up to about 600 cases. Likewise, our Hartford Old Vine Zinfandels are produced in small quantities, averaging about 300 cases per bottling.
Russian River Valley Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Zinfandel
Alongside our small vineyard-designated bottlings, we also craft Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel under the Russian River Valley appellation. Sourced from a handful of vineyards each season, these Russian River Valley blends offer a broader expression of the appellation each vintage and can be found in some of the world's most prestigious restaurants and wine shops.
Our Varietals
Pinot Noir is our passion and, in some vintages, our team crafts as many as 15 different bottlings from vineyards in the Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Green Valley, Carneros, Anderson Valley, Marin, Sta. Rita Hills, and Oregon appellations. In our humble opinion, Pinot Noir has no equal when it comes to expressing vineyard site character, producing seductive, plush, food-friendly red wines notable for their supple, silky texture.
Our limited-production Chardonnays are drawn from some of California’s most compelling vineyard sites, where the cool-climate influences of the Pacific Coast foster exceptional expression. Many of these vineyards are planted to a thoughtful mix of clones, each carefully matched to its site, allowing the nuances of terroir to shine through in every bottling. In these high-risk, high-reward environments, the wines achieve a remarkable harmony defined by vibrant acidity, refined texture, and impeccable balance. Ours are Chardonnays of elegance, depth, and enduring character.
Our Zinfandel vineyards are truly irreplaceable, rooted in a legacy that spans generations. Each of our vineyard-designated Russian River Valley Zinfandels is sourced from some of California’s most historic sites, with vines ranging from 80 to well over 120 years old. These venerable vineyards yield wines of remarkable concentration, nuance, and depth – layered with rich, expressive flavors and a signature intensity. The result is a collection of Zinfandels that are consistently bold, luxurious, and profoundly reflective of their extraordinary origins.
For almost as long as we have been making still wines from our Far Coast, Fog Dance, and Seascape vineyards, we have been dreaming of making traditional méthode champenoise sparkling wines from these extraordinary sites. Our dreams have now come true. We are excited to introduce a trio of single vineyard, single varietal sparkling wines crafted with care and dedication, showcasing the unique qualities of their cool West Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley vineyard sites.
The People of Hartford
Led by members of the Hartford Family, our talented team is the beating heart of the winery. With many of our staff having been here for years, the close-knit group enjoys a communal commitment to excellence and enjoyment.
We invite you to learn more about our family and staff, and we hope to meet you in person sometime at the winery to share a glass or two and learn about your story.
Don Hartford
CEO and Co-Owner
Hailey Hartford Murray
President and Co-Owner
Jenny Hartford
Co-Owner
Jeff Stewart
General Manager and Winemaker
The History
of Hartford
- Inaugural 1994 vintage wines are released.
- Hartford Court is chosen as Artisan Winery of the Year by Wine & Spirits.
- Arrendell Vineyard Pinot Noir is chosen Best Pinot Noir by the Wine News.
- Bon Appétit selects a Hartford Court wine as one of its Top Wines of the Year.
- The Hartford Vineyard Zinfandel is chosen by The Wine Spectator's James Laube as one of the "Best Zins available in 1996."
- All 1994 releases receive high acclaim from other prestigious wine publications, such as The Wine Advocate, Wine Enthusiast, and Wine & Spirits.
- Hartford Court wines are served at the White House on several occasions.
- The 1996 Hartford Court, Dutton Ranch-Sanchietti Vineyard Pinot Noir is chosen Best Pinot Noir at The Monterey Wine Festival.
- The 1996 Hartford Court Seascape Vineyard Chardonnay is described by Robert Parker in The Wine Advocate as "A dead ringer for a high class white Burgundy."
- The 1996 Fanucchi–Wood Road Vineyard Zinfandel is awarded Best Zinfandel at The Monterey Wine Festival.
- The 1995 Hartford Vineyard Zinfandel is chosen Best Zinfandel at The San Francisco Wine Fair.
- The 1998 Hartford Fanucchi-Wood Road Zinfandel is awarded Sweepstakes Red Wine (Best Red Wine of Show) at the 2000 Sonoma County Harvest Fair.
- With unprecedented success, Hartford Family Winery earns consecutive Harvest Fair Sweepstakes awards, winning the Sweepstakes White Wine (Best White Wine of Show) at the 2001 Sonoma County Harvest Fair with the 1999 Hartford Court Laura's Chardonnay.
- Robert Parker of The Wine Advocate compliments the winery generally by stating that, "It appears that Hartford has entered the upper echelon of Pinot Noir and Zinfandel producers in Northern California," Dec 2000.
- Additional excellent reviews from Decanter, Restaurant Wines, and Wine Enthusiast highlight the consistent high quality of Hartford Family Wines Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel.
- Hartford Family winemaker Mike Sullivan named Winemaker of the Year by Ronn Wiegand M.S., M.W., in Restaurant Wines.
- The Boston Herald runs an article, "Outstanding Pinot Noir Comes With the Terroir," focusing on Don Hartford, Hartford Family Winery, and Hartford Pinot Noirs.
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate names Mike Sullivan, Hartford Family Winery winemaker, a "wine personality of the year."
- 2000 Hartford Fanucchi-Wood Road Vineyard Zinfandel named in Top Ten Wines of 2002 by Bob Johnson, Wine Times, Jan 8 2003.
- Hartford Sonoma Coast Chardonnay bottle shot is featured on the cover of Wine & Spirits, Aug 2003.
- Hartford Vineyard Zinfandel listed as Number 6 of "Top 100 Wines of 2003" by Wine Enthusiast, Dec 2003.
- Hartford Family Winery named as an "Artisan Winery of the Year" by Wine & Spirits, Dec 2004.
- Robert Parker reviews Hartford Family Winery's wines and states, "These are always some of the most exciting as well as diverse offerings in my tastings, and I always walk away shaking my head at just how good they are."
- 2002 Hartford Court Arrendell Vineyard Pinot Noir served at the White House.
- 2004 Hartford Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir awarded Best of Class Pinot Noir at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair (Best Pinot Noir tasted over $25).
- Robb Report’s Bret Anderson reviews Hartford Court 2003 Seascape Vineyard Chardonnay in Top 100 Brilliant Wines of 2005. Robb Report, Nov 2005.
- 2003 Hartford Court Stone Côte Vineyard Chardonnay named in Wine & Spirits 100 Best Wines of 2006.
- 2003 Hartford Court Seascape Vineyard Chardonnay is made an Editor's Choice in Robb Report's Top One Hundred Wines Issue, Nov 2006.
- 2003 Seascape Vineyard Pinot Noir named in Top 10 Pinot Noirs tasted by Wine & Spirits.
- Hartford Family Winery named in Top 100 Vintners of 2007 by Robb Report, Nov 2007.
- 2005 Hartford Court Land's Edge Vineyards Pinot Noir ranked Seventh Wine and Top Pinot Noir in Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Wines of 2007, Dec 2007.
- 2004 Hartford Court Fog Dance Vineyards Pinot Noir and 2004 Hartford Court Stone Côte Vineyard Chardonnay Named in Top 101 Wines of 2007 by Canadian Wine Access.
- 2005 Hartford Fanucchi-Wood Road Vineyard Zinfandel and 2005 Jolene's Vineyard Zinfandel named in Bon Appétit list of wines to serve with turkey for the holidays, Nov 2007.
- 2005 Hartford Court Stone Côte Vineyard Chardonnay recommended by Food & Wine as a "wine to buy," Nov 2007.
- 96 Points: 2006 Hartford Court Stone Côte Vineyard Chardonnay rated 96 points by Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate - among highest rated Chardonnays of 2007, Dec 2007.
- Hartford Family Winery named a 2008 Winery of the Year by Wine & Spirits, Winter 2008.
- 2005 Hartford Court Far Coast Pinot Noir named Top Rated Pinot Noir of 2007 by Wine & Spirits, Apr 2008.
- 96 Points: 2007 Hartford Court Four Hearts Vineyard Chardonnay rated 96 points by Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate - among highest rated Chardonnays of 2008, Dec 2008.
- 2007 Four Hearts Chardonnay recommended by Robb Report and described as "white gold," Jun 2009.
- Robert Parker comments that, "One of the most impressively run wineries in the Russian River AVA is the Hartford Family Winery." Dec 2013.
- Again, in 2014, Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate praises Hartford Family Winery, commenting, “One of the bright shining stars in California winedom, their Chardonnays are purely Burgundian, with sensational purity and ripeness. The Pinot Noirs are among the finest of Northern California and the Zinfandels rank alongside … top Zinfandel producers.” Dec 2014, The Wine Advocate.
- 97 Points: 2012 Hartford Court Arrendell Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley is rated 97 points by Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate. Dec 2014.
- 97 Points: 2013 Hartford Court Arrendell Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley is rated 97 points by Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate. Oct 2015.
- 95-97 Points: 2013 Hartford Court Stone Côte Vineyard Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast is rated 95- 97 points by Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate. Oct 2015.
- 98 Points: 2014 Hartford Fanucchi Wood Road Vineyard Zinfandel, Russian River Valley is rated 98 points by Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate. Oct 2015.
- In 2015, Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate commented, “With proprietor Don Hartford in full control and brilliant winemaker Jeff Stewart having access to magnificent cool climate sites (for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel) Hartford Family Winery continues to be one of the great success stories in California Viticulture.” Oct 2015.
- Sunset Magazine recommends Highwire Vineyard Zinfandel. Sunset Magazine, 2016.
- Hartford Russian River Valley Zinfandel named #10 of Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of the Year.
- Hartford Russian River Valley Zinfandel named #21 Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of the Year.
- We introduce new wines into the portfolio - winery-exclusive Outer Limits Syrah, Radian Vineyard Chardonnay, and Jurassic Vineyard Chenin Blanc.
- Hailey Hartford Murray named President of Hartford Family Winery.
- Hartford 2018 Russian River Valley Chardonnay named #44 of Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of the Year.
- In 2024, we celebrated 30 years of winemaking at Hartford Family Winery!
- Hartford 2022 Russian River Valley Zinfandel named #39 of Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2025.
