Ehlers Estate

Ehlers Estate is owned by the Leducq Foundation, a Paris-based philanthropic organisation established by Jean and Sylviane Leducq. The couple purchased and revived the property in the late 1990s with the goal of creating a world-class estate winery, while using the proceeds to fund international cardiovascular research. The estate continues to operate under the Foundation’s ownership. The day-to-day leadership is handled by a small team of professionals, including winemaker Adam Casto, who has overseen a shift toward greater freshness and precision in the wines.

The estate traces its origins to 1886, when German immigrant Bernard Ehlers purchased an existing vineyard and constructed the stone barn that still serves as the winery’s production and hospitality centre. After passing through various owners over the 20th century, the estate was effectively reborn in the 1990s when it was acquired and reassembled by Jean and Sylviane Leducq. The couple restored the old winery building, replanted vines, and integrated neighbouring vineyard parcels to create a contiguous estate. By 2001, the winery was producing wines under the Ehlers Estate label, with a focus on Cabernet Sauvignon and sustainable farming. Following Jean Leducq’s death, the Leducq Foundation assumed full stewardship of the winery, ensuring that its philanthropic mission would continue alongside its winemaking.

Ehlers Estate is situated on the Napa Valley floor just north of the town of St. Helena, within the official St. Helena AVA. The estate lies near the base of the Mayacamas Mountains, where alluvial soils and cool marine influences from the San Pablo Bay help temper the valley’s warmth. The 42-acre vineyard is contiguous and surrounds the historic winery, offering a tightly focused expression of this part of Napa. The site benefits from excellent drainage and a mixture of soil types - mainly gravelly loam and clay-loam - which are especially favourable for Bordeaux varieties.

The entire Ehlers Estate vineyard is organically farmed and certified biodynamic. The 42 acres under vine are planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller blocks of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Sauvignon Blanc. The vineyard is farmed as a living ecosystem, with cover crops, owl boxes, and composting playing central roles in the estate’s holistic approach. Vineyard blocks are harvested and vinified separately, allowing for detailed blending. The estate’s sustainable philosophy is not only ecological but also practical, aiming to express the character of the site as purely as possible. The vineyard’s uniform exposure and varied soils allow for complexity and balance in the wines.

Under Adam Casto's leadership, Ehlers Estate adopts a minimalist, terroir-driven winemaking philosophy. The process involves small-lot fermentations using native yeasts and aging in French oak barrels, with a restrained use of new oak to maintain varietal purity. Casto's approach integrates progressive techniques in the vineyard to adapt to natural variations and emphasizes sustainability, including transitioning the estate's packaging to reflect its environmentally conscious ethos.​

Ehlers Estate produces a focused portfolio based entirely on estate fruit. The flagship wine is 1886, a reserve-level Cabernet Sauvignon named after the founding year of the stone winery building. It is known for structure, complexity, and ageing potential. The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon offers a more accessible but still refined expression of the property, while varietal bottlings of Cabernet Franc and Merlot showcase the site’s versatility. A small-production Sauvignon Blanc and a Sylviane Rosé add diversity to the range. The wines are recommended to anyone who enjoys a more restrained approach to Napa Cabernet.

Ehlers Estate offers a quiet, appointment-only tasting experience in its historic 1886 stone winery. Tastings are seated and guided by knowledgeable hosts, with a focus on showcasing the estate-grown wines in a relaxed but informative setting. Guests can choose from standard portfolio tastings or opt for more in-depth experiences, such as the 1886 vertical tasting. The estate does not host large events or high-traffic tourism, preserving a tranquil atmosphere in line with its small-scale, vineyard-focused ethos. Visits also include insights into the winery’s philanthropic mission, providing a deeper context for its purpose beyond winemaking.