hovey winery

We just visited yesterday and loved it. Sky was pouring wine and she was every friendly, told us a lot about the wines and even let us taste one that was not on their tasting list. We enjoyed all of their wines especially the Rosado, Cab and port. We will definitely be coming back next time we are in Murphys!

Chuck Hovey has done more for wine in this area than anyone else. He makes wine for several brands up here including Gianelli, Inner Sanctum, and Hurst Ranch.Now he has his own label and congrats! Fine wine, I'm especially fond of the Chardonnay.

From what I gathered, most of the wines here are fermented in steel vats. I felt these wines lacked body, structure and finish. They are drinkable as in a good table wine, but it lacked that "wow" factor.

Hovey winery is new to Murphy's, but not the owner. Chuck Hovey is also the wine maker for Stevenot, another great winery in Murphy's. What sets Hovey apart is their location. They have renovated the Albert Michelson home where this recipient of the Nobel Prize in physics grew up. The wine, especially their Award wining Tempranillo is very good. After some tasting, you can also purchase a bottle and one of their prepared cheese plates and go out side and sit in the front yard of the home. There are trees and in the summer there is also local musicians who provide music. A great place to stop, rest and make dinner plans. Like most of the tasting rooms they charge a $5.00 tasting fee which is returned if you purchase a bottle of wine. I live in the area and unfortunately the small wineries cannot continue to provide wine for the crowds who do not purchase. The fee has been standard in Napa for many years and unfortunately the local wineries have had to follow suit.

We dropped by the tasting room this spring and ended up coming home with a case each of 2012 Barbera and 2012 Tempranillo, both double gold winners at a recent wine competition. These are outstanding wines and some of the best we've ever had from this region. Was impressed enough to join their club to keep the wine flowing year round.

We had the pleasure of tasting several excellent wines here - its was approaching their closing time, so we were careful to ask first but JR was gracious & poured all the wines & knew all the info on each. Great place!

Was there on 6/22 tasted their wines and of course bought a bottle. They had live music out on the garden which was fun. The tasting room was a little old house that was restored.

Hovey winery in Murphys is housed in the Michelson house, tastefully updated. The wines are great, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Places for a picnic, changing art shows on the walls. All in all a feast for all senses.