the
people
Our family estate, Bavarian Lion Vineyards, is located in Knights Valley, Northern Sonoma County.
We have been farming top quality Bordeaux varietals since 1996, selling much of our fruit to prestigious wineries in the Napa Valley. In 2005, we decided to reserve our highest quality grapes for our own brand, Ehret. While we sell many of our grapes to prestigious producers, we reserve specific blocks that go into our own brand.
The
estate
Bavarian Lion Vineyards is one of the largest estates in Knights Valley, stretching across 1,800 acres of hillside terrain and valley floor. Only 500 acres is planted to grapes, allowing an ecosystem of plant and birdlife to flourish.
Knights Valley is located in Northern Sonoma County between Alexander Valley and over the Napa Valley border into Calistoga.
explore
knights valley
Knights Valley is the warmest appellation in Sonoma County. It is situated between Alexander Valley and Chalk Hill, and borders Calistoga in the Napa Valley.
Originally carved by the Russian River, the volcanic activity and the eruption of Mount St. Helena turned the river west and raised Knights Valley floor. The rocks that form Mount St. Helena are known as the Sonoma Volcanics and the eruptions that formed these rocks are estimated to have been between 2.6 and 8 million years ago.
sustainability
at ehret
Since 1996, Bavarian Lion Vineyards has been managed with an ecologically comprehensive approach. We are certified sustainable in that we have a certification in from the California Land Stewardship Institute. Around one quarter of the estate is planted to vines, and we have preserved the rest as a natural wilderness for birdlife, wildlife and insects. We believe in cultivating flowers and plants that attract beneficial insects and planting cover crops to replenish the soil’s nutrients.
Our sustainable vineyard practices involve a minimalist approach. Farming in the vineyard is ecologically respectful and sustainable, as all energy comes from installed solar panels and drip irrigation is used for the entire vineyard.
our
winemaking
Our winemaker, Erin Green understands that great wines begin in the vineyard. She is actively involved in viticultural aspects, working with Alex and Ben to create balance in the vines and enabling optimum ripeness in the grapes.
At harvest time she looks for mature skins and seeds with concentrated flavors.
During harvest grapes are cold soaked to extract flavors before fermentation. Our fermentation regime is adapted by block to optimize flavors and create balance. The wines are aged in high quality French Oak barrels and blended to Erin’s liking.
ehret
racing
Pierre Ehret began his racing career in 1998 in the US.
Over his racing career, he has participated in more than 130 races, including the National Star Mazda, IMSA, American Le Mans, European Le Mans, International Le Mans, and the Blancpain/Fanatec series.
Pierre’s most significant races include:
· 4 times racing – The 24h Rolex Daytona with a class win in 2005
· 4 times racing – The 24h Nürburgring
· 5 times racing – The 24h of Spa with 2 podiums in class
· 5 times racing – The 25h of Thunderhill, one overall win, and a class win
· 9 times racing – The 24h of Le Mans with 3 podiums and 7 finishes
Pierre races in the European Peter Auto Historic racing series with a Porsche 962 and the ex Ferrari 430 GT2.