St. Helena
Ehlers Estate was founded by Bernard Ehlers, a Sacramento grocer who moved his family to St. Helena in 1886 and built the structure that houses the current tasting room. The estate consists of 42 acres of which 36 are planted with vines. The winemaker is Madrid-born Laura Diaz Munoz who got her passion for tending land at her grandparents’ farm in Avila, Spain, where she spent her childhood summers. Diaz Munoz fondly remembers time with her grandfather, lovingly referred to by the family as El Recio or the “tough one” in her native Spanish, who would take her to the garden and teach her various gardening techniques which fostered her love of plants. She also fondly remembers her grandmother who would cook meals using homegrown produce and taught her about the flavorful beauty of simple food prepared well.
Laura brings this philosophy to her winemaking: she believes that tending to the vines in the vineyard and working with great grapes makes making wine in the cellar easier. In addition to Laura the winemaking team is complimented by Carlos Torres and Martin Sierra. Carlos has been at Ehlers for 17 years, and Martin started with working in the summer of 2024. The team also plans to have two interns for the 2025 harvest.
Ehlers Estate counts Allora Vineyards and Trinchero Napa Valley as their vineyard neighbors and 672 Club members are invited to visit the tasting room at the estate. Although most people find out about Ehlers Estate from enjoying the wines at restaurants or referral from friends in the wine club, many people discover them online when looking for organic, family friendly, or pet friendly wineries. In addition to the 2021 Portrait members received in their recent shipment Ehlers also makes wonderful wines from Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Ehlers Estate
2021 Portrait Red Blend