Ehlers Estate – NAPA GALA

EHLERS ESTATE

Nestled in the heart of the Napa Valley, we produce organically farmed Bordeaux varietals within our 42-acre estate. Every detail, from farming to winemaking to hospitality, is meticulously crafted to design a singular experience for our guests.
Our story began in 1885 when Bernard Ehlers purchased the land and began planting vineyards on site. In 1886, he completed the stone winery which is now our dedicated hospitality space. Our signature wine, 1886 Cabernet Sauvignon, is named in honor of that historic date.
Between 1923 and 1968, the estate changed ownership multiple times and underwent several name changes before being purchased in 1987 by Jean and Sylviane Leducq, who ultimately re-established the property and re-instated the Ehlers name.
Recognizing the global need for support and advancement in cardiovascular care, Jean and Sylviane created the Leducq Foundation in 1996 to benefit international cardiovascular and, now, neurovascular research. With the Leducqs passing, Jean in 2002 and Sylviane in 2013, Ehlers Estate became an asset of the Leducq Foundation and all of our proceeds continue to support their research.
With a Mediterranean spirit and Napa Valley approach, our winemaking and hospitality teams continue to execute Jean and Sylviane’s vision. Our winemaker, Laura Diaz Munoz, brings her experience and old- world style to the estate with a focus on making terroir driven wines with balance and sophistication.

WWW.ehlersestate.COM

adam casto

Head Winemaker

Adam was first introduced to the world of wine by an interest in map collecting. A gift of two wines supplied with associated maps, Barolo and the Mayacamas, offered the experience of wine as coming from specific places, but more importantly the awareness of wine as being a reflection, rather than just products of them. Several years later, a chance encounter with the scientist and winemaker George Hendry would inspire in him a new imagination of what was possible, setting him on a fantastic adventure around the earth that would instill in him an ever-evolving understanding of wine as a complex interplay between the climate, people, culture and vineyards that produce it.

Under the tutelage of Philippe Melka, Adam not only learned first-rate winemaking, but what it means in practice rather than in rhetoric to focus first on the vineyard, to have joy for the experience, and a confidence that this is what will be most palpable.

Adam's winemaking philosophy finds alignment with Ehlers Estate's dedication to sustainability and authenticity. The estate's commitment to organic farming resonates with his belief that exceptional winemakers are those who cultivate exceptional fruit, and the values of being open to and reciprocating with the all the various human, material and environmental elements of the endeavor.

With Ehlers Estate's focus on Bordeaux varietals, Adam is enthralled by the opportunity to craft wines that embody the terroir and uphold the tradition that Napa is renowned for. His expertise ensures a seamless transition as the vineyard undergoes critical replanting, preserving the integrity of the estate's wines while nurturing its legacy. His perspective, anchored in knowledge of and reverence for the past, paves the way for a future that celebrates excellence, authenticity, and the artistry of winemaking.