Biographies
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JEAN LEDUCQ, FOUNDERJean Leducq was born on December 7, 1919. Even as a very young child, he was influenced by his familyís passion for food and wine. His Grandparents founded famed Le Grand CafÈ, Paris and his daily meals as a boy were prepared by the familyís cook, Auguste Escoffier. In 1945, Leducq completed his advanced degree in law and eventually joined the familyís laundry business. His first assignment was in Rouen where he was challenged to restore to full capacity a family factory destroyed by the war. Before long, the factory was churning out nearly 80 tons of clean laundry a week and Leducq was considered a savior among the American soldiers for whom the factory processed blankets and uniforms. Mr. Leducqís business became the largest family-owned business in France with operations in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium and Spain. As the company grew so did Mr. Leducqís interests outside the laundry business. In 1983 these interest were pursued and he and partner, Norman Martin, started Prince Michel Vineyards in Leon, Virginia. Over 70 acres of vines were planted near the area Thomas Jefferson had planted over 200 years earlier in his own attempt to produce wine. Prince Michel Vineyards now includes over one hundred planted acres, a restaurant, tasting room and wine shop. |
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KEVIN MORRISEY, WINEMAKER
If Ehlers Estate were to fashion a Winemaker out of the soils on the property to reflect the character of the winery, chances are that person would strictly resemble Kevin Morrisey – a man who has truly been born for this job. Ehlers Estate is owned by France’s Leducq Foundation and Kevin is a true international spirit whose dual French/American citizenship enabled him to intern in Pomerol for legendary Jean-Claude Berrouet at Château Pétrus. Ehlers Estate produces some of Napa Valley’s most esteemed wines and Morrisey’s winemaking style and pedigree, particularly with Bordeaux-varietal wines, is renowned following many years as winemaker for Stags’ Leap Winery. And Ehlers is one of a handful of wineries in Napa Valley committed to certified organic and biodynamic farming, matching both a spiritual and ethical ideal to which Kevin has long striven to achieve in his work. |
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FRANCISCO VEGA, VINEYARD MANAGER AND CELLAR MASTERFrancisco grew up working in the fields of his family farm in Michoacan, Mexico. He left home at 14, and traveled to Los Angeles, where he spent two years learning English. At 16, he visited friends in Calistoga, and quickly decided to join them there. “The terrain reminded me of my home in Mexico,” he explains. Francisco began working on one of his friend’s vineyard crews, learning the business through the daily vineyard work of pruning and picking, experience that would pay off when he took first prize at the annual pruning competition held in Yountville. At 23, after five years of vineyard experience, he was promoted to foreman. He joined Ehlers Estate in 2001, and now manages the vineyard and physical plant of the winery, and assists Kevin with winemaking operations. Francisco says of his work, “It’s part of me, of my life. I grew up in the field picking tomatoes with my dad. For me, it’s almost the same.” Francisco lives on the estate with his family. He has three sons, the eldest of whom aspires to be a winemaker.
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