Elkhorn Peak Cellars

This truly extraordinary winery grew from the vision of three men. John Kryzanowski was a successful stock broker in San Francisco, Greg Gahagan was a leading solar energy expert, and Ken Nerlove was a grape grower. They recognized the untapped potential for growing cool weather grapes in the southern part of Napa Valley, California, and that was the genesis of Elkhorn Peak Cellars.

In 1983 Napa Valley’s Jamieson Canyon was known primarily for sheep and cattle ranching, but today this region overflows with wineries and vineyards. South Napa wines now enjoy worldwide acclaim, and their fame began with Elkhorn Peak Cellars.

Elkhorn Peak Cellars is located in the Napa appellation, close to San Francisco. Napa is best known for producing big, bold Cabernets, but Jamieson Canyon is a rare micro-climate of Napa Valley that stays cool enough to produce world-class Pinot Noir clones. Elkhorn Peak’s vineyards have a 1,336 ft. elevation. The proximity of San Pablo Bay prevents frost damage, and the early morning fog lower temperatures to keep the region cool enough for Pinot in the summer. As an added benefit, these beautiful vineyards offer visitors a distant view of the Golden Gate and Bay bridges.

Though Elkhorn Peak Cellars also makes Chardonnay, they focus on Pinot Noir.
Elkhorn Peak’s Pinot Noir is created only from estate grown grapes. The resulting wine is finely balanced in a Burgundian style. Their remarkable selection of clones offers the complex, layered flavors that one seeks in a fine bottle of Pinot. Wine reviewers agree, having given Elkhorn Peak’s 2002 Pinot Noir ratings of 91, 90, 89 and 87 points.

Elkhorn Peak Cellars is committed to the quality of their vines instead of the quantity of their yields. Current production is just under 1,200 cases a year, with maximum production being 3,500 to 4,000 cases per year. Elkhorn Peak’s vines grow on the gentle, rolling slope at the front of the property at the foot of Elkhorn Peak, the tallest mountain in Jamieson Canyon.