Winter / Spring 2008

Le Vin Winery

Hand-crafted Wines

In 1948 Bernard and Ellen Levin were sharing their delicious Le Vin Wines with Jack Londons’ wife, Charmiane London, in Glen Ellen, CA at the Jack London Ranch. Flash ahead to 1983, Eric Levin and his father Bernard Levin formally founded Le Vin Winery. Bernard and his son Eric began making award winning wines at Zellerbach Winery in 1983. In 1985 Le Vin Winery received its first Gold Medal for its’ Cabernet Sauvignon at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair. In 1993 Eric and Holly Harman Levin purchased the picturesque 164 acre mountain ranch in the scenic Yorkville Highlands appellation located in the most southernly area of Mendocino County, near the Sonoma County line. They planted 5 acres of Merlot, 5 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 3 acres of Cabernet Franc, 4 acres of Syrah, 250 olive trees, and 125 redwood trees. Le Vin vineyards farms 17 acres of organically certified mountain vineyards. They received Gold Medals for their 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2000 Merlot in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, with a 92 and 91 point rating. The delicious Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Ruby Rose are also available. Visitors are welcome at the beautiful Le Vin highland mountain Winery and Vineyards, that rise up 1550 to 1900 feet above sea level, closer to the sun, and above the fog, which results in full and delicious wines, so sought after. The Le Vin Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, hand harvested, is pressed, and blessed by monks. The girl holding the grapes in her hand on the Le Vin label was illustrated by Stephen Haines Hall, the well known wine poster and label artist. The magic of excellent wines attracted the Levins to manifest their vision of sharing such excellence with others. Eric Levin is a singer/ songwriter, land and vineyard Real Estate Specialist, and Director of Marketing and Sales for Le Vin Winery. Holly Harman, designs wine labels for clients all over the World. You can visit her website at www.WineLabelDesign.com. She is also part of the “Gumby” family, and has worked on Gumby productions. Her new children’s book is called “Gumby Goes to the Sun”. Holly is the voice of Minga, Gumby’s sister. Holly’s stepfather, Art Clokey, is the creator of Gumby, Pokey, and Pals. Their son, Jesse Hall Levin, has degrees in Viticulture and Ecology from Fresno State University. Emma Kudritzki, Jesse’s fiance, has a degree in Enology, Ecology, and has made wine for many prestigious wineries. Jesse and Emma care for the vines and wines at Le Vin, fermenting wines on the natural yeasts exisiting in the organic vineyards. The delicious and luxurious Le Vin Wines are a result of vine clonal selection, organic and biodynamic viticultural practices, barrel selection and fine tuning the blends. Visitors are welcome, by appointment, to taste delicious wines and enjoy this magical place. Gaze at far reaching views down into Alexander and Anderson Valleys. Guests can stay at the cozy and comfortable Inn at Le Vin, enjoy the Pool, Finnish Sauna, Jacuzzi, and gaze across seven mountain ranges towards the sea. Visitors can picnic under awe inspiring ancient heritage oaks, stroll among the vineyards, and hike to the pond, amongst flowering lily pads, fig trees, palm trees, irises, roses, and ferns. Year round springs fill the pond. Guests can eat many organically grown fruits and vegetables from the garden, to prepare in the kitchen at their suite. Call for private wine tastings. Check out the Le Vin Winery Bar in the Village of Mendocino.

Le Vin Winery Bar, located in the Village of Mendocino, at Coastside Gallery, 45055 Albion Street. Open 7 days a week for tasting from 11 am to 5 pm. Gallery 707.937.4960. Tasting at Le Vin Estate Winery & Vineyards, by appointment. 33151 Hwy. 128 near Mountain House Road, 7 miles west of Cloverdale, road marker 47.97. Please call 707.894.2304, 707.494.0313 or 707.494.0314 or email hrh@sonic.net or visit www.LeVinWinery.com for more information.