I had my first taste of Ehlers Merlot At Twisted Vine in Fullerton and fell in love. I drove down hwy 29 visiting various wineries and we saw Ehlers and had to make a stop. We stepped into their tasting room and was greeted by their friendly staff behind the counter. She asked if we had an appointment and we told her we no. They were closing up in half an hour by the time we stepped in but was they very accommodating, instead of turning us away, she squeezed us in for a tasting.
This small family winery is spectacular! The love and care that goes into producing a bottle of pinot is a testament to the pride that the owners have for this vineyard which has been in the family since 1938. Bravo!!Their vineyard is in Rutherford and they only make two wines, a Pinot Noir (yes a Pinot Noir) and a Chardonnay. These are both serious, and not inexpensive wines. That said, they are elegant, have wonderful cherry and raspberry flavors and will reward cellaring. I am a big Russian River Pinot fan, but these are very nice wines. Worth seeking out. Can't wait to sip again!
El Sol has a range of wines, trending more towards reds than whites. Lots of interesting varietals and it seems that they are usually barrel tasting at least a pair of wines at any time.
Patrick Elliott-Smith, owner and winemaker at Elan Vineyards, was born in the United States to a French mother and an American father. His appreciation for fine wines began early, influenced by his grandfather René's extensive wine cellar filled with pre-World War II Bordeaux wines. As children, Patrick and his siblings were allowed just a few drops of red wine in their water—a practice that led Grandmother Madeleine to exclaim, "René, you will make them drunk!" This early exposure cultivated Patrick's taste for fine wines.
After completing high school in France, Patrick returned to the United States and earned a B.A. in philosophy. He found that his philosophical studies provided an excellent foundation for addressing the climatic challenges of agriculture. Following college, Patrick was drawn to Napa Valley by its resemblance to southern France, with its familiar topography and climate evoking fond memories. Deciding to make it his home, Patrick and his brother Dennis, an artist, acquired a parcel of land. Over the next four years, they raised horses, sheep, and goats; produced goat cheese; and grew gourmet herbs and vegetables for upscale Napa Valley restaurants. They also explored French intensive gardening techniques and bio-dynamic farming, which takes organic farming to an advanced level, sharing the 1960s ideal of living off the land.
In 1979, Patrick discovered his ideal property at the top of Atlas Peak Road. Situated about 2,100 feet above sea level—roughly 1,900 feet higher than the average Napa Valley vineyard—the site was perfect for viticulture. Patrick entered the wine industry by developing vineyards for prominent wineries such as The Hess Collection, Liparita, Dominus, and Beaulieu Vineyards, along with various private hillside estate vineyards. In 1980, he constructed a small stone house on the property and lived in a teepee on the future winery site while clearing manzanita brush from five acres. He planted Cabernet Sauvignon on 110R rootstock using a French-style trellis, which was uncommon in California at the time. For the first seven years, Patrick sold the fruit to Caymus Vineyards.
The best part about the tasting room is the staff. I enjoyed someone taking the time to talk to me about what I was drinking. Also, there is an adorable outside patio where you can sit and sip your wine. Plenty of buttery breadsticks and fresh water refreshed our palates between sips. Such an experience helped us to trust our own responses to the wine. Bryanna allowed us to explore the wines without overloading us with facts about the grapes or winemaking process. She responded to our questions with sensitivity and no hint of arrogance. All of us came away from the experience with a heightened awareness of the care with which Elizabeth Spencer wines are sourced and crafted. The reds we tasted were distinctively delicious, each proudly representing its appellation and the winemaker's skill.
Elkhorn Peak Cellars is a hidden gem nestled in the southeast hills of Napa Valley. As a family-owned and operated micro-winery, it takes pride in producing exceptional wines in limited quantities while maintaining a laid-back, non-pretentious approach to winemaking.
With an 8-acre vineyard established on a historic homestead, Elkhorn Peak Cellars is the labor of love led by the dynamic father-daughter duo, Ken Nerlove and Elise Nerlove. Since 1983, they have quietly crafted world-class Pinot Noir and other varieties, staying true to their roots and delivering wines that capture the essence of their south Napa Valley site.
With an annual production of less than 1,000 cases, their wines are truly exclusive. They are not found in local restaurants or wine shops; instead, Elkhorn Peak Cellars shares its creations directly with loyal Wine Club members and through their website. The winery values maintaining a personal connection with those who appreciate their handcrafted wines.
Elkhorn Peak Cellars is indeed a great find in Napa, located off the beaten path on Jamison Canyon Road. Visitors are first greeted by the winery’s friendly dogs, Maggie and Monty. Ken Nerlove, who is the owner, grapegrower, farmer, winemaker, and tasting host, manages all aspects of the winery with expertise. The tasting room offers stunning views of the lower Napa Valley and San Pablo Bay.
The winery produces four delicious wines: Rosé of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and a wonderful dessert wine. Although considered a small wine business, it is well worth a visit. Ken provides informative and helpful tips about wine tasting, and visitors are encouraged to try the Dessert Wine, which is particularly noteworthy.
Elkhorn Peak Cellars is proud to be a Verified Napa Valley Micro-Producer.
In 1977 Sunol's grape growing tradition was revived by the planting of 55 acres of premium grape varieties on San Francisco Water Company land. In 1984 the Awtreys obtained rights to the Sunol Valley Vineyards and also replanted Elliston's own vineyard at the estate with three acres of Chardonnay. The original carriage house was converted into the winery, and Don Blackburn was hired as Elliston's first winemaker. Trained in Burgundy, Don's wines from 1985 to 1990 were classically Burgundian in style employing French Oak exclusively, barrel fermentation, "sur lie" aging, and malolactic fermentation emphasizing complexity and the unique flavors of the vineyard. Since 1992 the winery and Elliston Estates have been owned and operated by the Awtrey's daughter Donna and her three children Mark, K.J., and David.
It was back in 1987 that Ray and Nancy Coursen crushed 4.5 tons of Zinfandel from the Morisoli Vineyard in Rutherford to craft 286 cases of their first wine. While the portfolio has grown over the last 25 years, the focus remains on creating vineyard driven wines that pair well with food. Total production is currently 10,000 cases and the wines are nationally and internationally distributed.
Emerald Creek Winery is located in Warner Springs on the North slope of Palomar Mountain of San Diego County. The elevation at the winery is at 2,400 ft. from sea level. This area has a unique micro-weather system. The weather at this elevation from April to October is ideal for grape growing. Daytime temperatures are warm and nighttime temperatures are cool. The soil is made from mainly decomposed granite ideal for grapes. At Emerald Creek Winery, we are committed to creating award-winning wines.
The Emeritus Vineyards story began with a remarkable ridgetop piece of land, Hallberg Ranch, in the cool Green Valley region of the Russian River Valley. The distinctive Goldridge soil that our vineyards are planted in allows us to dry farm our grapes, resulting in the remarkably deep and enduring root structures that shape the character and complexity of our Pinot Noirs while allowing the grapes to achieve ideal ripeness at lower sugar levels. The cool, foggy climate of our two renowned vineyards, Hallberg Ranch and Pinot Hill, gives our wines their pure, soaring flavors and elegant and energetic personalities. Last, but most important, the experience, wisdom, and passion of our acclaimed team give our wines their spirit, creating Pinot Noirs that are as unique as they are extraordinary.