Our Story

Milestones that shaped our Micro-Winery.

“Elkhorn Peak Cellars sits high atop Jamieson Canyon, Napa Valley’s sweet spot for Pinot Noir, where I planted the first vines.”
Ken, Grower/Owner

A red tractor pulls a grape trailer as a family watches nearby in a vineyard at sunset.

Present Day

Today, Elkhorn Peak stands proudly as a true micro-winery—family-owned, vineyard-driven, and dedicated to preserving small-scale agriculture. We sell about 800 cases of wine annually, through our wine club. With a new generation stepping in, our story continues to unfold with small-lot wines, a deep commitment to our land, and a growing community of wine lovers who value authenticity over scale.

2018 & 2019

Ken undertakes a major vineyard project, replanting 9 acres to Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc—a bold move that reflects both a commitment to the land and a willingness to evolve. These new plantings mark the beginning of a fresh chapter for Elkhorn Peak, blending decades of farming experience with a forward-looking vision.

Person kneeling in a vineyard, planting new vines with protective sleeves and tools nearby.

2017

With annual production holding steady at around 450 cases, Elise officially joins the family business full time. That same year, Ken and Elise become founding members of Save the Family Farms—a newly formed grassroots movement working to bring regulatory relief to Napa Valley’s small grapegrowers and protect family-owned farms for future generations.

A vineyard worker wearing a headlamp pours grapes from a yellow crate into a large bin during a nighttime harvest.

2008

In the wake of the recession, Elkhorn Peak pivots from working with a distributor to selling 100% direct-to-consumer. Forced by circumstance, not strategy, we launch the Elkhorn Peak Wine Club as a way to stay afloat—unable to compete with the volume-based discounts offered by larger wineries. Annual production drops sharply from 1,500 cases to just 300, marking a turning point in our journey: leaner, scrappier, and more connected to our customers than ever before.

young man and his father standing in a vineyard row. The young man is dumping a 50 pound bucket of grapes into a large bin, his father is standing across the way. There are grape pickers on either side of them.

1997 – 2007

Elkhorn Peak partners with a distributor, bringing its small-lot Pinot Noir to wine lovers across the country. During the off-season, Ken hits the road to support distributor partners—personally pouring for wine enthusiasts from coast to coast and winning fans with every stop.

As word spreads, the brand gains momentum. Over the next decade, production grows steadily to 1,500 cases annually, and Elkhorn Peak earns national recognition for its Pinot Noir, with multiple vintages receiving top scores and awards:

90 points – Wine Enthusiast, 2009 (2005 Pinot Noir)
93 points – Beverage Testing Institute, 2011 (2008 Pinot Noir)
Double Gold – San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, 2010 (2007 Pinot Noir)
4 Stars – Exceptional – BevX.com, 2010 (2007 Pinot Noir)

See more Elkhorn Peak Cellars’ awards here.

1995

Elkhorn Peak Cellars releases its inaugural vintage: the 1992 Pinot Noir. Met with enthusiasm from friends, locals, and Pinot Noir lovers alike, the wine quickly earns a loyal following. Energized by this early momentum, Elkhorn Peak partners with a distributor and begins laying the groundwork to expand production and reach a broader audience.

1992

Nearly a decade after planting his first vines, Ken takes the next bold step—launching his own label. Partnering with friend and consulting winemaker Kent Rasmussen, the duo begins crafting small-lot, high-quality Pinot Noir under the name Elkhorn Peak Cellars.

The label honors its namesake landmark: Elkhorn Peak, the 1,336-foot summit that dominates Jamieson Canyon’s skyline and rises directly behind the vineyard—an enduring reminder of the land that shapes every bottle.

“The name of the mountain, as told to me by the ‘old timers,’ came from Elks being common to this beautiful mountain range many years ago.”
Ken, Grower/Owner

1987 – 1991

Ken’s Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes are sold to the wineries throughout the Napa Valley. Every effort in the vineyard is made to concentrate on vine development instead of fruit production. Ken’s goal is to establish well-developed vines that will produce fruit of the highest quality on a consistent basis.

Elkhorn Peak soon gains a reputation for limited production, high quality fruit and the new Napa growing region of Jamieson Canyon started to gain recognition.

“I tend to my vines meticulously. I farm to their needs. Steller fruit comes from the healthiest vines.”
Ken, Grower/Owner

1987

First Harvest

1986

The 2 acre vineyard is thriving, so Ken expands to 8 acres.

Man in a cowboy hat stands in a staked field ready for planting with trees in the background.

1983

Ken Nerlove and partners purchase an old sheep ranch in Jamieson Canyon, South Napa.

At the time, there are no vineyards in the area—just open ranchland and a big question: can high-quality wine grapes thrive here?

Driven by curiosity and a pioneering spirit, Ken plants the first experimental vineyard on the property. Guided by the unique microclimate—marked by early morning fog, cool, steady temperatures, and bay-side breezes—he selects Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, two varieties known for their sensitivity and elegance.

The first vines—one acre each of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir—are planted on a gently sloping, south-facing hillside at the front of the ranch, marking the beginning of what would become Elkhorn Peak.