Erin Green of Ehret Family Winery
Tell us about the sustainable and eco-friendly practices at the vineyard: 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.
Bavarian Lion Vineyards has been managed with an ecologically comprehensive approach. We are certified sustainable in that we have a certification in Fish Friendly Farming 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 natural cover crops such as flowers and plants that attract beneficial insects 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.
Tell us about the varietals you make: 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 are planted to grapes, allowing an ecosystem of plant and birdlife to flourish. Bavarian Lion Vineyards is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel grapes on various rootstocks.
What are a few wines that readers should try right now?
2018 Bella’s Cabernet Sauvignon