Origins

“Back in Missouri,” Joe went on, “whole farms simply dried up and blew away. But here in Northern California it’s the opposite: here the land is alive with trees and rocks and wild, unusual growth. And walking through the fields and vineyards of this valley, I could feel it: This was God’s creation.”

– Joseph Phelps, The Best We Can Be: The Life and Wisdom of Joseph Phelps, Val de Grace Books, 2018

Phelps family walking through the vineyard

The Project

Established in 2024 by third-generation vintner Will Phelps and his wife, Amanda, Hensel West is rooted in heritage yet inspired by a renewed vision and sense of purpose.

Growing up in Napa Valley, Will was surrounded by vineyards, yet unaware of the profound pull they would one day have on him. That changed in 2008, when a harvest in the Rhone valley of France revealed the magic behind the work he’d long taken for granted. A second harvest, this time in South Africa with Amanda, deepened their shared love of wine and rooted their desire to build something together.

Will went on to spend twelve years working for his family’s winery, learning from the traditions shaped by his grandfather, Joseph Phelps, and the growers who stood alongside him. Those relationships, many now spanning generations, form the foundation of Hensel West.

Together with their four daughters, Will and Amanda carry that legacy forward with their own touch. As an artist, Amanda weaves her creativity into the soul of Hensel West, painting a unique work of art for each wine and shaping the creative vision that carries the family’s story forward. Inspired by the foundation laid by Will’s grandfather, Will and Amanda aim to carry that torch, reconnecting with the family friendships that helped build his family’s story while fostering new growth for the future.

Winemaker

Renowned winemaker Ashley Hepworth has been tasked to craft the Hensel West wines. With over 23 years of winemaking experience, and fifteen years at the helm of Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Ashley was responsible for overseeing the production of the family’s entire portfolio of Napa Valley wines, including their flagship wine, “Insignia”. Her philosophy and approach focuses on using great fruit to achieve tremendous concentration and balance, all while highlighting the unique terroir and the variety from vintage to vintage.

Ashley, Will, and Amanda have shared over 20 years of memories together, and there was no one else better suited to help Will and Amanda take this next step. Ashley’s unwavering commitment to quality and a process rooted in integrity is the cornerstone of Hensel West.

Family History

The name Hensel West carries forward the lineage of Will’s father, William Hensel Phelps, and his great-grandfather, Abel Hensel Phelps, a family thread passed down through generations and carried in Will’s own middle name. The values and principles of the Hensel and Phelps families are woven into the ancestral lineage of their story, and the relationships between people and places serve as a cornerstone of the Hensel West identity.

The Hensel and Phelps families trace their roots to the American frontier, shaped by generations who moved west in pursuit of opportunity and purpose. From Pennsylvania to Ohio to Missouri, Will’s great-great-great-grandfather Abel Hensel survived the Civil War and rebuilt a life in faith, resilience, and purpose. When his daughter Maggie married John Quincy Phelps, the two families were united, setting in motion a legacy of perseverance and possibility. Their son, Abel Hensel Phelps, pushed west again after the Dust Bowl, founding Hensel Phelps Construction in Colorado in 1937, an employee-owned company that still endures today. His son, Will's grandfather, Joseph carried that pioneering spirit to California, acquiring the Home Ranch in St. Helena in 1973 and establishing Joseph Phelps Vineyards, marking the beginning of the Phelps family’s story in Napa Valley.

Steltzner Vineyard Stags Leap District

Nestled at the feet of the Stags Leap District Palisades, this single vineyard was planted by third generation Californian Dick Steltzner in 1964. With just under 30 acres planted to vine, and known for its distinct combination of soil types, Steltzner Vineyard showcases the unique characteristics of the AVA which has been instrumental in Napa lore since 1976’s Judgement in Paris. It was the primary source for the inaugural vintage of Joseph Phelps Insignia, and contains a 5-block section of Cabernet Sauvignon, along with less than an acre each of Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Sangiovese.

The vineyard sits on an alluvial fan that cascaded down from the Vaca Mountains many moons ago. A mixture of volcanic, marine, and sandy soils are intertwined with spots of heavy loam and clay soils, which directly contribute to the feminine and complex profile that the Stag’s Leap District has become known for. Situated on the eastern bench of the AVA, the fruit from this vineyard possesses a more feminine identity, with tremendous fruit purity, exceptional balance, and refined tannins that provide a wonderful contrast to the fruit.

“The Phelps family became part of our story in 1974, when they purchased Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from my father that would later become the first-ever Joseph Phelps Insignia. In fact, Will’s grandfather was so impressed by the quality of the fruit that he went on to purchase the vineyard across the road with my father’s help. At the time, Napa Valley was an emerging wine region with a collective spirit that together we could make exceptional, world-class wines. When Will called me, it was an immediate yes. The opportunity to continue building and crafting exceptional wines alongside a fellow next-generation vintner was something I couldn’t turn down. I’m honored to be part of this next chapter with Hensel West.”

- Allison Steltzner

Tench Vineyard Oakville

Margaret Tench

Situated on the Oakville bench where the valley floor and the Vaca Mountains meet, the increasingly diverse soils of the Tench Vineyard are the perfect home for growing world-class fruit. The Cabernet Sauvignon from the Tench Vineyard was an instrumental component in Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia from 1975 to the late 1990s, and both Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from this vineyard are key pieces of the Hensel West puzzle. Hensel West also makes their wine at the Tench winery in Oakville.

Tench’s soil consists of iron-rich rocky terrain which is reflected in its Mars-like red dirt, with an underbelly of well-draining volcanic ash and gravel that adds character and depth to the landscape. Planted to 42 acres, the surrounding hills have fostered a unique micro-climate that produces wines of restrained precision and focus. Afternoon winds provide the vines a much needed respite from the late-day sun, and the vineyard’s natural south-facing exposition helps produce fruit with tremendous energy and vibrancy.

“Joseph Phelps was the first to purchase grapes from our family in 1977, establishing both our reputation and a cherished friendship. My grandparents later celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Phelps winery — a reflection of that deep bond. Today, I’m honored to carry it forward with Will & Amanda Phelps of Hensel West.”

- Margaret Tench

Origins

The Project

Winemaker

Family History

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