Heller Estate Organic Vineyards

The tasting room of Heller Estate is a quaint single-story country house with a Dutch-door entrance and an aged wooden floor. This warm cozy place has a fully stocked gift shop, spread out over a number of rooms that is a treat to explore. The tasting bar is an exquisitely carved piece of antique furniture buttressed by oak wine barrels.

Heller Estate’s motto is “MAGICAL WINES THAT DANCE ON YOUR PALATE!” The owner of the winery was born in England, and exports much of his wine to the United Kingdom. Outside the tasting room is the entrance to their wonderful garden patio. Mrs. Heller is an acclaimed artist, and her sculptures are on display throughout the property as well as in many parts of the world.

The original vineyards were planted in 1968, and the first wines were produced in 1976. The vineyards are essentially dry-farmed, the roots of the vines descending deep into the loamy, sandy soil in search of the underground “Cachagua” springs. The 120 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Noir are planted at altitudes of 1,200 to 1,500 feet.

The vineyards are certified 100% organic, meaning that neither herbicides nor pesticides are used in the production of the grapes. This certification was granted after three vintages of clean farming, although the vineyards have employed organic methods from their beginning.