Neil and Lance Ellman

Founders

We have always possessed plenty of passion and drive — it’s what has made us successful entrepreneurs. After growing their family-owned sleep products business into one of the largest independent manufacturers in the United States, we decided to launch a different sort of venture — Ellman Family Vineyards.

The stretch isn’t as far as you’d think. We spent our formative years traveling the world, sampling fine food and wine along the way. While living in California in the early 1990’s, Neil began touring the Napa Valley and quickly became enamored by the boutique wine scene. Lance quickly followed suit.

Over the years, we developed a feel for the craft and the business. The tours of exclusive Napa vineyards, numerous wine courses and seminars, and meetings with winemakers and friends in the business sealed the deal: We were ready to join the world of winemaking.

Kian Tavakoli

Winemaker

A graduate of U.C. Davis, Kian Tavakoli started his career as an enologist at Opus One Winery in Oakville in 1992. After four years of honing his Cabernet winemaking skills, he moved on to Clos du Val to head their Cabernet program. During his eight years there, he also worked with varieties like Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, helping to develop the popular proprietary white Bordeaux blend “Ariadne”. In 2005, Kian shifted his focus to small boutique wine brands and recently joined Ellman Family Vineyards. He now serves as consultant or winemaker for 20 wine brands. Under his watchful care these brands have achieved market recognition, thanks to an insistance on high-end fruit sourcing and premium craftsmanship.

Chris Nelson

Winemaker

Chris was fortunate to find winemaking through a circuitous route. After receiving his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Vanderbilt University, he relocated to the West Coast. It was there he realized his love for chemistry was perfectly suited to winemaking. He enrolled at Fresno State, completed a Master’s degree in Enology, and never looked back. Chris honed his winemaking skills while training with outstanding winemakers from Lynmar Winery in Russian River; Dry River Winery in Martinborough, New Zealand; and Araujo Wines in Calistoga. Chris heads up the Pinot noir program at Ellman Family Vineyards and continues to cultivate the excellence of this fantastic grape.

Greg Hirson

Consulting Winemaker

A native of Southern California, Greg Hirson is a partner and consulting winemaker for Ellman Family Vineyards. He completed his undergraduate work in Chemistry at U.C. Berkeley. After receiving his Master’s in Enology from U.C. Davis, Greg went to work at Pahlmeyer in Napa. He currently resides in Davis, where he is working on a Ph.D, mastering ways to unlock the secret flavors of wine.