Begun in 1992 by Bruce and Barbara Neyers, Neyers Vineyards produces about 15,000 cases of wine annually. About 25% of our production is Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grown on our 50-acre, organically farmed Conn Valley ranch. The vineyard is managed by Maldonado Vineyard Management. We purchase additional grapes from a select group of growers, among them the Sangiacomo family of the Carneros District, Will Nord of Napa, Cam Thieriot of Sonoma Coast, Lee Hudson of Carneros, Jay and Pam Heminway of Chiles Valley, Rich Pato of Oakley, and the Tofanelli family of Calistoga.

 

Winemaker Tadeo Borchardt joined us in 2004 after several years of experience in the industry making wine in both California and New Zealand. He's a Cum Laude graduate of the University of Arizona, a zealous advocate of our natural winemaking practices and an enthusiastic supporter of our appreciation for traditionally produced European wines. He brings with him a valuable combination of technical know-how and respect for tradition.

 

Consulting winemaker Ehren Jordan returned to the Napa Valley in 1994 following a two-year stint in the Northern Rhone town of Cornas, where he worked for Jean-Luc Columbo, one of the most respected vintners in Europe. Ehren's training with Columbo expanded his technical knowledge of winemaking, while enlarging his understanding of grape growing. He has been with us as a partner, winemaker, consultant or friend since we began the business in 1992.

 

Bruce's experiences over the past several years working with Kermit Lynch Imports and a group of more than 100 French vintners have been important in shaping the style of our wines. Most of these producers farm organically, make their wines naturally without use of cultured yeast or laboratory designed winemaking aids, and are comfortable bottling their wines without either fining or filtration. We have long admired their wines, and eagerly adopted many of their natural winemaking practices.

 

In 1999, we purchased and renovated a winery on Sage Canyon Road in the hills outside of Rutherford in the Napa Valley. We produced our first vintage in this state of the art facility in 2000.