Ehlers Estate Winery Review
Address: 3222 Ehlers Lane St. Helena,California 94574.
Phone Number: 707-963-5972
Tasting Hours: By appt. 9:30-3:30
Region: Napa Valley AVA, St. Helena AVA, California
Reviewer: Laura Cropper
Review Date: 1/14/2016
Reviewer: Laura Cropper
Rating: 5
The Review
The beautifully scenic drive heading north on route 29 leads you to the equally beautiful Ehlers Estate Winery in Napa’s St. Helena AVA. Ehlers Estate will win your heart with their stunning estate, delicious wines and wonderful story of generosity.
The chilly winter day made Ehlers’ warm and toasty tasting room even more inviting. As we entered the tasting room, we were welcomed by staff and led to our cozy and cushiony, pillow-filled couch and table with the message Welcome Cropper Party-Nice Touch! The tasting room is both comfortable and fun with art by Clifford Bailey on display and upbeat music filling the air.
We were introduced to our wonderful host, Bradley. Bradley spoiled us with his generous hospitality and his knowledge of wine and the property. He led us through a full tasting of Ehlers’ wines. We began with the 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, which is the best Sauvignon Blanc Ive had in a while! My favorite of all of the wines that we tried that day was the 2012 Cabernet Franc. This wine is 100% cab franc and displays complex flavors of dark fruit with a hint of vanilla and will age beautifully.
As we tasted one delicious wine after another, Bradley and Elizabeth, The Wine Club Manager, gave us the background and history of the property. The beautiful and rustic stone building of Ehlers Estate is the original and was built in 1886. The Ehlers Family owned the building and surrounding vineyards until prohibition. The property changed hands multiple times and when the final owners purchased the property and began production again, the estate became an asset of the cardiovascular research foundation that owners Jean and Sylviane Leducq had founded together.
When you have a chance, check out the heart design within the capital E on the label. Although the winery is not considered a non-profit organization, it does donate the majority of its profits to the Leducq Foundation, a cardiovascular research foundation. It’s a great feeling knowing that something you love purchasing for yourself is benefiting others!
Ehlers Estate owns thirty-nine acres and produces, depending upon the size of the harvest, about eight thousand cases. All of their grapes are hand harvested. They are content with current size of the winery and strive to maintain a family feeling. Their staff is small with only about nine vineyard staff and twelve employees in hospitality and administration.
The wonderful family-like hospitality team will make you feel like youre in your own living room, and, if you’re like me, you won’t want to leave! For those that want to maintain the family connection, there are two clubs available: The Cellar Club and The Cabernet Club. Both Clubs offer significant discounts, complimentary tastings, invitations to member-only events and use of the exclusive member picnic area.
Ill be happy to go back to drink the delicious wines and enjoy the property as well as play some bocce ball with friends on this historic estate.