Daniel Gehrs

For over 30 years, Daniel Gehrs has been a sought-after wine stylist up and down the California coast- making his mark at wineries from Congress Springs Vineyards (Santa Cruz Mountains) to Zaca Mesa, Bridlewood, Lucas & Lewellen, and Sunstone wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley.

With a degree in political science and no practical experience in winemaking, after taking a job at Paul Masson Winery in Saratoga he made his first “real wine” in the early 1970’s from one of the Masson vineyards. Dan recalls, “Instead of attending enology school, I decided to learn winemaking from a hands-on standpoint. As a result, I developed an innovative, outside-the-box attitude about wine. I came to my winemaking style very much on my own, not in a vacuum but without the usual oversight or credentials.”

Between 1974 and 1990, Dan and his wife, Robin, made a series of memorable wines at the mountain top Congress Springs Vineyards in Saratoga. He continued his award-winning style at Zaca Mesa Winery from 1993-1997, where his 1993 Syrah was chosen as #6 in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the Year. In 1998, Daniel was involved in the development of Bridlewood Winery, while the emerging Lucas & Lewellen brand became a client in 1999. He continued to be a part of the Sunstone Winery winemaking team between 2003 and 2008.

Current total production of the Daniel Gehrs Wines brand is around 7,000 cases, representing about 12 different varietals. Dan states, “The number of varietals is a product of my eclectic attitude towards wine… I don’t have strong or exclusive favorites.” Consequently, there is without a doubt something for everyone’s palate or wine preference.

Stop by the tasting room in downtown Los Olivos on “tasting room row” to sample one of the Gehrs Family award-winning wines and enjoy the quaint atmosphere of the tasting room, housed in a circa 1904 cottage.