At A Glance
| Winery | Hatcher Winery |
|---|---|
| Region | Sierra Foothills AVA |
| Location | Murphys, CA |
| Best For | Groups, Families, Petite Sirah & Zinfandel Fans |
| Tasting Style | Bar or Outdoor seated Tasting |
| Tasting Fee | $20 |
| Tasting Fee Waiver | Yes, 1 bottle minimum |
| Kid Friendly | Yes |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
The Setup
If you’re looking for a winery in Murphys, CA that goes beyond the pour and actually invites you in, Hatcher Winery is worth making the trip.
Our group was composed of 11 adults and 2 kids. This weekend was extra special as they promoted a Memorial Day weekend case sale. What started as a purchasing decision turned into one of the best tasting experiences we’ve had in the Sierra Foothills.
We came to Hatcher Winery specifically for their case sale — 2017 and 2018 vintages on offer — with the goal of tasting through the lineup and walking away with a case. What we didn’t expect was to end up in the barrel room with the owner, Matt Hatcher, himself.
No reservation required. We walked in and were welcomed immediately.
First impression? Easy highway access, open outdoor space, and the kind of laid-back energy that makes a group of 13 feel right at home. Covered benches outside meant no one was scrambling for shade.
The Tasting Experience
We were guided through 14 wines. Every pour was explained — no wine left behind, even with a full house.
Matt, the owner, led the tasting personally in the barrel cellar. Vintage motorcycles and classic cars lined the walls. It’s not the kind of setting you forget.
Standout Pour
Ripe plum hit the nose immediately — clean, expressive, and ahead of everything else in the lineup. It still carries serious tannic structure. This wine has more life ahead of it. Buy it now, open it later.
Most Surprising
2021 Nine Cellars Petite Verdot
This wasn’t on the official menu. Matt pulled it out after we mentioned my reverence for the varietal. This specific label is made for Matt’s friend, which is why it wasn’t publicly accessible. When he mentioned he had it, we had to get it.
Everything in Between
2024 Sauvignon Blanc
2023 Chardonnay
2018 Carignane
2018 Mourvèdre
2017 Dolcetto – School Street Winery
2018 Tailem Bend Zinfandel
2018 Estate Zinfandel
2018 Reserve Zinfandel
2018 Reserve Zinfandel 2nd Crop
2018 Charbono
2020 Estate Tree Vineyard Syrah – School Street Winery
2019 Cabernet Franc – School Street Winery
If Money Didn’t Matter…
We’d walk away with a mixed case:
- 9 – 2018 Petite Sirah
- 3 – 2023 Chardonnay
Since we couldn’t get a mixed case, we got our #1 choice.
Hospitality That Stands Out
We were welcomed right away and offered the option to taste in the cellar — not the standard tasting room. That invitation set the tone.
Once we entered the cellar, Matt greeted us right away and welcomed us to the bar. He didn’t recite a script, he walked us through his background in retail and distribution, how that shaped the way he built the winery, and why each wine in the lineup exists. It was a free flowing conversation, not a presentation.
The tasting was structured but never rigid — Q&A throughout, a few extra pours, and no sense of being rushed despite a busy holiday weekend crowd.
Would we bring a complete wine beginner here? Absolutely.
The range of wines is wide, the staff is approachable, and there’s a bonus layer most visitors don’t know about: Hatcher shares the space with School Street Winery. When you arrive, you’re actually choosing between two tasting experiences. My recommendation: split tastings so your companion tries one menu and you try the other.
Value
- Tasting Fee: $20 per person
- What You Get: 14 pours (case sale) / 11 pours (standard tasting)
- Waived with Purchase?: Yes (1 bottle minimum)
Verdict: Good value — especially during a case sale.
For 14 guided pours in a barrel room with the owner pouring, $20 is a steal. Even at the standard 11-pour format, it holds up well against comparable Sierra Foothills tasting rooms.
Ambiance
Hatcher strikes a balance you don’t always find.
Outside, a pergola draped in vines provides covered seating — relaxed, unpretentious, and the best photo spot on the property. The patio doubles as a wedding venue, which gives you a sense of how it looks when it’s dressed up.
Inside, a bar and seating area for a semi-intimate option. The barrel room — accessed during the case sale — is lined with vintage motorcycles and classic cars. It’s one of the more unexpected and memorable tasting environments in the Murphys area.
On Memorial Day weekend during a case sale, it was busy. But it never lost its energy or its ease.
This isn’t a place you camp at all day — 1 to 2 hours is the sweet spot — but it’s an ideal stop that holds its own as a destination, not just a detour.
Accessibility & Logistics
- Location: Right off the highway, about 7 minutes from Murphys Main Street
- Parking: Ample and easy — no stress
- Reservations: Walk-in welcome; no wait on arrival
- Wait Time: None
- Family-Friendly: Yes — kids, pets, and wheelchair access all covered
A Note from the Tasting Room
“My background in distribution, and interest in being a winemaker, helped me build the winery.” — Matt Hatcher, Owner (paraphrased)
We were talking about how he made the transition from industry into winemaking. It said everything about why the operation feels as intentional as it does.
Final Take
Hatcher Winery is one of the most welcoming and well-rounded tasting experiences we’ve had in the Sierra Foothills.
This winery brings a vibe that makes you feel at home, while still offering some elevated ambiance inside.
The barrel room, the owner behind the pour, 14 wines, and a bonus bottle from a friend’s label. It’s the kind of afternoon that reminds you why you go to wineries in the first place.
Whether you’re coming for a case sale or a casual weekend stop, it delivers. And if you’ve got a group or kids in tow — they’ve already thought of that too.
Score
| Factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Tasting Experience | 4 / 5 |
| Hospitality | 5 / 5 |
| Value | 5/ 5 |
| Ambiance | 5/ 5 |
| Accessibility | 5 / 5 |
| Overall | 4.7 / 5 |
Worth the Detour? Definitely. It’s a good starting point before making your way into downtown.
Side note: Hatcher has a tasting room in downtown Murphys, dedicated solely to Hatcher wines, poured primarily by Matt’s brother. It’s very small, but an option if want to head straight to downtown for a day of tasting.
Have you been to Hatcher Winery yet? Drop a comment below and let us know about your experience!
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