Huntington is a label that is part of the Hahn family’s portfolio of wines, which includes Hahn Winery, Cycles Gladiator, Hahn SLH Estate, Lucienne, Smith & Hook, Copa Del Rey, and Bin 36. Along with this assortment of wine brands, the Hahn family also owns the Mugie Ranch in northern Kenya, where the Hahns reside for part of the year. The Mugie Ranch is home to a school, a farm and a wildlife preserve. The Hahn family takes the proceeds from the sale of Huntington wines to fund higher education scholarship programs for Kenyan children.
All of Huntington’s wine labels offer artist’s renderings of scenes depicting the Kenyan people. This particular Huntington label showcases the Samburu ladies in blue, in a painting by the family’s own Gaby Hahn. A noble approach to wine making, and a very worthy cause indeed, but it still begs the question: how is the wine?
Huntington sources their sauvignon blanc from Dry Creek Valley, in the heart of Sonoma County. The nose of this wine is very fresh and balanced, offering crisp green pepper and citrus, particularly lemon, along with some tropical notes. On the palate the wine showcases a more elegant style of sauvignon blanc, in contrast to more intense styles from New Zealand and Chile. But there is also a distinctly racy backbone of citrus that stands out – a welcome element here that spritzes things up.
The Huntington sauvignon blanc has a relatively high 14.1% alcohol level, but the wine remains balanced through the finish. After tasting this wine for a bit, you’ll notice that it is considerably drier than many other sauvignon blanc’s at this price point. It’s not unpleasant, and I feel it adds some maturity to the character of this wine.
The Huntington should pair well with lighter foods, but it’s certainly enjoyable on its own. And oh by-the-way, it should serve your conscience well too.
A Salute!
Wine: Huntington
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 14.1%
Rating: 86
Price: $14.00
Find Huntington Sauvignon Blanc with Snooth
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.