Daniel Gehrs Wines is the personal expression of winemaker Daniel Gehrs, whose vision of wine is simply this: “The holy grail of my winemaking is the taste of the grape on the day of harvest.” Dan hastens to add: “The first duty of a wine is to be interesting. Life is too short for boring wines”. Closely following this dictum is a second, simply put “A wine must taste good. Not just for ‘tasting’ but for ‘drinking’!” Dan firmly believes in wine as food. He remembers: “When I worked at Paul Masson back in the ‘70’s, I guided tours for awhile, through their vast cellar. One of the signs I always pointed out to visitors said: ‘Wine is food’. That’s stuck with me to this day. My greatest experiences with wine have always been in the company of food. So when I’m making and blending wine I’m really thinking about it in terms of complimenting and enhancing food. That rules out blatantly ‘over the top’ or ‘trophy’ wine styles that the press loves to fawn over. They can be terrible with a meal!” He is quick to add: “I’ve never liked the ‘Hollywood’ celebrity image some wineries and winemakers seem to crave. After all, there are better ways to become rich and famous than to make wine!”
Dan, as he is known to his friends, entered the California wine business in 1974 having just graduated from college the year before. He worked for Paul Masson Vineyards in Saratoga, CA for two years in public relations but really craved a career in hands-on winemaking and grape growing. His chance came in 1976 when Dan, his wife Robin and Victor Erickson founded Congress Springs Vineyards on Erickson’s property in the Santa Cruz Mountains which had been a working winery for half a century but was in a state of advanced decay by the early ‘70’s. Congress Springs grew and prospered and in 1980 Dan’s Congress Spring’s 1978 Pinot Noir was awarded Wine Spectator’s “Spectator Selection” honors. This was followed up with the ’85 Chardonnay in which, in 1986, became the most awarded wine in California, surpassing all other varietals, according to the annual California Grapevine survey.
In 1990 Dan and his family left Congress Springs and founded Daniel Gehrs Wines. The original plan was to focus exclusively on Loire varietals; Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Cabernet Franc. Only Chenin Blanc remains in the lineup now. Today, the line is more diversified featuring Pinot Noir, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, Oak Free Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Riesling and our iconic Fireside Port.
In 1993 Dan and the family left the Bay Area and moved to Santa Barbara County where Dan became the winemaker at Zaca Mesa Winery. This started a successful, five year period in which Dan electrified the region and the industry by producing Zaca Mesa’s renowned 1993 Syrah; Wine Spectator’s #6 wine in the world in 1996. The stampede to plant Syrah immediately followed. Dan also produced a 1996 Roussanne while at Zaca Mesa which became the first non-Chardonnay to win “Best of Show” in the white wine category at the prestigious San Francisco International Wine Competition.
After the 1997 vintage Dan left Zaca Mesa to pursue his own interests, as an independent winery and also as a successful, consulting winemaker. The 1998 Bridlewood Syrah, where Dan was the founding winemaker, became the most highly awarded California Syrah in 2000. Y2K also saw the move of Daniel Gehrs Wines tasting room from Solvang to Los Olivos with the purchase of Heather Cottage on Grand Avenue, a circa 1904 Victorian house from the horse and buggy era. The Wine Garden outside and behind the historic structure serves groups and the many visitors on weekends and for special events.
In 2006 Dan partnered with Fred, Joe and John Franzia to bring the venerable Congress Springs name and brand back to life with a focus on the historic Lodi appellation where the Franzia’s have substantial vineyard holdings. A new label and package debuted in 2009 featuring five varietals which excel in the unique terroir of Lodi. Already the recipients of numerous awards these wines mark the return of a modern day Congress Springs Vineyards.
The current production level of 12,000-14,000 cases is sustained by brisk sales in a dozen major markets, largely east of the Mississippi. Life is good but the wine business is also extremely competitive and challenging. Dan likes to joke that when he goes to Las Vegas he doesn’t gamble. Why? “I don’t need to – I’m in the wine business!” Still, at three and a half decades in the business, he’s still loving it, still going strong, still optimistic. Want an example? “The world would be a better place if more people drank wine!”