Larry Hyde
Larry Hyde founded Hyde Vineyards in 1979. Originally comprised of 100 acres of windy pasture and fruit orchards, Larry became a pioneer in a region that would soon become California’s second AVA, Los Carneros, Napa Valley, the only AVA to stretch between two counties, Napa and Sonoma.
Before Hyde Vineyards, Larry studied law at UC Berkeley and then chemistry at UC Davis before finding his passion in wine. Gaining work experience at great vineyards like Gallo, Ridge Vineyards, Cuvaison, Stag’s Leap, Robert Mondavi Winery and Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Larry went on to purchase Hyde Vineyards with the help of his father, Richard Sr. and brought along with him his extensive knowledge of wine making and viticulture to Hyde Vineyards at a time when the wine industry in California was transcending into the world-class wine region it is today.
In 1980, one year after Larry purchased Hyde Vineyards, Larry met his wife, Beta, in Burgundy, where they had both been working harvest in Aubert and Pamela DeVillaine’s estate vineyards. Beta, originally from Poland, came to California a few years later. Larry and Beta have two sons, Peter and Christopher who grew up in the vineyard, which was their playground and home, experimenting with homemade wine and working in the fields.
In 2000, Larry Hyde co-founded HdV Winery, a partnership with Aubert de Villaine. Aubert, who married Larry’s cousin, Pamela F. de Villaine, and on who’s vineyard Larry met Beta, is one of Burgundy’s most recognized individuals who was born and raised in the traditions of France’s greatest winemaking techniques.
In 2009, Larry founded Hyde Vineyard Estate winery, which currently produces several varieties from their unique terroir. The wine embodies the love and dedication to the land Larry so proudly farms.
Today, Hyde Vineyards has grown to nearly 200 acres and works with over 30 wineries in the valley. Larry still manages the vineyards with the help of his son Christopher, and serves as a director on the Napa Valley Grape growers, Issues Committee and GWISS committee.