Bob Sessions
Bob Sessions | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Glendale, California, U.S. |
| Died | May 13, 2014 (aged 82) Sonoma, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Winemaker |
| Years active | 1964–2001 |
| Known for | Leadership at Hanzell Vineyards |
Bob Sessions (December 11, 1931 – May 13, 2014) was a distinguished American winemaker best known for his 28-year leadership at Hanzell Vineyards.
Early life
Sessions was born in Glendale, California in 1931. He completed his studies at the University of California, Berkeley in 1957, earning a degree in English literature. A journey through France and Brussels later ignited his passion for wine. On December 19, 1959, he wed Mary J. Cross, commonly known as Molly.
Life in wine
As a winemaker who taught himself the craft, Sessions gained experience at Mayacamas Vineyards between 1964 and 1971. Following this, he took on the role of production manager at Souverain. He played a key role in the establishment of Stags Leap Wine Cellars and helped develop the renowned 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon that achieved acclaim at the Judgement of Paris.
Hanzell Vineyards
In 1973, Sessions was appointed winemaker and general manager at Hanzell Vineyards located in Sonoma, California, having been recruited by then-current winemaker Brad Webb. Hanzell evolved into a family-run operation with his wife Molly overseeing the estate and their son Ben involved in hospitality until Molly’s passing from ovarian cancer in 2000.
During his tenure at Hanzell, Sessions produced wines that Wine Spectator praised as the kind "most winemakers could only dream of," concentrating primarily on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varieties, with some Cabernet Sauvignon crafted during the 1980s. In recognition of his contributions, a vineyard block was named in his honor in 1999. He held the position of president before retiring in 2001 and subsequently assumed the title of winemaker emeritus.
Production methods
Sessions introduced a Burgundian approach to winemaking at Hanzell by pioneering the use of stainless steel fermentation tanks alongside French oak barrels while maintaining respect for the estate’s traditional practices. His consistent methodology included harvesting grapes early to capture optimal ripeness, fermenting Chardonnay initially in stainless steel prior to barrel aging, applying minimal intervention during maturation to emphasize terroir expression, and filtering the final wines.
Personal life and legacy
Together with his wife Mary (Molly) J. Cross, Sessions raised two children: Sarah and Benjamin. After Molly’s death due to ovarian cancer in 2000, Sessions facilitated an introduction between his son Ben and cheesemaker and chef Sheana Davis, who became Ben’s wife in 2016.
In 2002, Sessions married Jean Arnold, whom he had met during her consulting work at Hanzell; she succeeded him as President following his retirement. Diagnosed with dementia in 2003—later identified as Alzheimer's disease—Sessions passed away on May 13, 2014, in Sonoma.
To honor his memory, the "Hanzell Heritage Tribute" wine lot was auctioned during the Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction in 2014, raising $80,000.
Further reading
- DiDio, Tony and Amy Zavatto. Renaissance Guide to Wine & Food Pairing. London: Penguin (2003). pp. 39–45.