Ellsworth Wines, Sierra Foothills, CA
We are Bryn and Jeffrey of Ellsworth Wines. Both from DC suburbs in Maryland, we moved to California to pursue passions of wine and farming. We live in Penn Valley California, where our 1.5 acres home vineyard and winery is located. We have been very fortunate to be in Nevada county, with plenty of opportunities to farm vineyards of various sizes, varieties, and terroirs, by creating relationships with land-owners exchanging our labor for the fruit. Ellsworth Wines is our shared vision of participating in the vineyard ecosystem, doing our part to not only grow great grapes and make yummy wine, but also respecting the earth and vines, while promoting biodiversity and soil health. Our vines are located in the northern most part of Gold Country in the Sierra Foothills, at elevations of around 1500ft. We have a dry, hot growing season, our no-till and dry-farming approach allows the clay soils to retain rainwater for the vines to access all year. Our goal in every vineyard is to leave it better than we found it, which requires rehabilitation and thoughtful farming. We do not use fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides, synthetic or organic, in our vineyards.
Read more about Ellsworth in their Wine Terroirs interview.
Read more about Ellsworth in their Wine Terroirs interview.
The two of us do everything by hand; pruning, spraying (low doses of elemental sulfur), canopy management and harvest. In the cellar we ferment with native yeasts and do not use commercial wine making products, but rather guide the wine in making itself. Our wine is aged in used french oak barrels and spends time in stainless steel before bottling.
WINES
Chenin Blanc, Sierra Foothills, CA. 2019
60% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Chardonnay from the Home Vineyard in Penn Valley and the Lucero Vineyard in Dobbins, CA. Sauvignon Blanc was destemmed by hand and macerated for 30 days before pressing and blending with the direct pressed Chardonnay. Aged in french oak and stainless steel for 11 months. The wine was raised with native yeasts with no added SO2 until 1 month before bottling, Bottled on 8/12/2021. 504 bottles produced. |
Petite Sirah Rose, Sierra Foothills, CA. 2019
100% Petite Sirah from River Highlands Ranch in Smartsville, CA. Direct pressed, fermented in 500L puncheon and aged in stainless steel for 13 months. Bottled 10/23/2021 with no added sulfur. 379 bottles produced. |
Red Table Wine, Sierra Foothills, CA. 2019
80% Zinfandel from Ed's Vineyard in Loomis, CA and 20% Petite Sirah from River Highlands Ranch in Smartsville, CA. 100% whole cluster fermentation for 12 days on the Zinfandel, Petit Sirah was direct pressed and added post-pressing of the Zin. Wine was aged in 500L French oak puncheon with no added sulfur until 1 month before bottling. Bottled unfined and unfiltered on 8/12/2021.1503 bottles produced. |
Merlot Red Table Wine, Sierra Foothills, CA. 2019
55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Grapes from the Lucero Vineyard in Dobbins, CA and the Home Vineyard in Penn Valley, CA. Cabernet Sauvignon was direct pressed as rose and blended with 100% whole cluster Merlot and Cabernet Franc post pressing of the red wine. The complete blend was aged in 225l French Oak for 13 months without added SO2 until 1 month before bottling. Bottled unfined and unfiltered on 10/23/202. 1449 bottles produced. |