FEL Wines
When looking for awesome value Californian Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, the northern region of Anderson Valley is the place to be. FEL Wines has become a household name, offering amazing wines at killer prices.

Story
Cliff Lede is one of Napa’s great vintners, his namesake Cliff Lede Vineyards famed for its stunning expressions of Stags Leap District Cabernet – none more so than the multiple 100-point Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon. Not content with making a name for himself in Napa, Cliff turned his attention 60 miles north to the cool-climate Anderson Valley with the goal of producing modern, vibrant Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. Cliff bought Anderson Valley stalwart Breggo Cellars in 2009, and in 2014, he achieved his ultimate goal when he established FEL Wines.
Vineyards
Anderson Valley is located in the rolling hills of the coastal Mendocino County, a couple of hour’s drive northwest of San Francisco. Only fifteen miles long, this beautiful valley is the coolest wine-growing region in California where rolling vineyards meet forests of redwood in a Mediterranean-climate, influenced by fog and Pacific breezes. It is an absolute haven for stunning Pinot Noir!

FEL’s signature wines are masterful combinations of fruit from the Estate’s Savoy Vineyard, with the revered Ferrington and Donnelly Creek Vineyards. They are textbook expressions of the region: crisp, juicy, and highly drinkable.

The Savoy Vineyard is regarded as one of the best sites in the Valley, especially for Pinot Noir. The maritime influence and moderate daytime temperatures contribute to the wine’s elegant flavour profile and silky tannins. They have a track record of ageing beautifully for 10+ years.

Winemaking

Ryan Hodgins is FEL’s Director of Winemaking. Raised in the Pacific Northwest, after graduating from university he soon relocated to California and enrolled in the Master’s program in Viticulture & Enology at U.C. Davis.

In 2005, Ryan accepted a full-time position as assistant winemaker and viticulturist at Hanzell Vineyards, a role that helped hone his expertise in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Sonoma. While at Hanzell, Hodgins also worked as the founding consulting winemaker for Breggo Cellars in the Anderson Valley. The Lede family’s acquisition of Breggo Cellars (now FEL) in 2009 allowed Hodgins to become full-time winemaker. In 2011 the Lede family purchased the Savoy Vineyard, a benchmark vineyard in the Anderson Valley, giving Hodgins access to his first estate vineyard.

Sarah Green joined FEL as Associate Winemaker, and was promoted to head Winemaker in 2021 to work alongside Ryan. Born and raised in Southern California, Sarah earned a BA in English from Smith College in 2011. Upon her graduation, Sarah worked her first harvest at Donelan Family Wines in Santa Rosa and was instantly captivated by the world of winemaking. Following her internship, she worked consecutive harvests in New Zealand, the Sonoma Coast, and Western Australia. In 2013, Sarah returned to Sonoma, where she spent the next four years as Assistant Winemaker at Donelan.

Latest arrivals from FEL Wines

2018 FEL, Chardonnay, Anderson Valley 1x75cl

WE92
Blend: 100% Chardonnay Vintage production: 4,133 cases
£25 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £33.20 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days

2018 FEL, Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley 1x75cl

WE93
Blend: 100% Pinot Noir Vintage production: 4,532 cases
£30 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £39.20 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days

2017 FEL, Chardonnay, Anderson Valley 1x75cl

WE90
Blend: 100% Chardonnay Vintage production: 4,047 cases
£25 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £33.20 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days

2018 FEL, Chardonnay, Anderson Valley 12x75cl

WE92
Blend: 100% Chardonnay Vintage production: 4,133 cases
£295 / Case£24.58 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £392.45 / Case, £32.70 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days