Failla
Summary
Failla is a family-owned, boutique winery producing 10,000-15,000 cases annually of cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah from their estate and select vineyards across Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, Anderson Valley, and more recently Oregon's Willamette Valley. Winemaker Ehren Jordan employs traditional Burgundian techniques including whole cluster fermentation, native yeasts, and measured oak aging to craft vineyard-specific wines that emphasize elegance and terroir expression over power.
Heritage & Leadership
Failla (pronounced FAY-la) was established in 1998 by winemaker Ehren Jordan and his wife Anne-Marie Failla. The winery initially operated under the name "Failla Jordan" before shortening to simply "Failla" due to trademark considerations with Jordan Winery.
Ehren Jordan serves as both proprietor and winemaker, bringing significant experience to the operation. Prior to and during Failla's early years, Jordan worked at Turley Wine Cellars, simultaneously developing both ventures. His winemaking background includes experience in France's Rhône Valley, which has influenced his approach to viticulture and winemaking at Failla.
The winery has maintained its independent, family-owned status since its founding. From its origins in the Sonoma Coast, Failla expanded its footprint in the 2010s to include vineyard holdings in Oregon's Willamette Valley, marking a significant milestone in the winery's development.
Vineyards & Wines
Failla's vineyard portfolio centers on cool-climate sites that showcase the distinctive terroirs of California's coastal regions. Their estate vineyard, approximately 10-15 acres in size, is situated near the town of Cazadero in the Sonoma Coast AVA. This location benefits from the marine influence characteristic of this coastal region.
Beyond their estate property, Failla sources fruit from select vineyards throughout the Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, and Anderson Valley. These cool-climate sites provide ideal growing conditions for their focus varieties. The winery's expansion into Oregon's Willamette Valley in the 2010s further demonstrates their commitment to cool-climate viticulture.
Failla specializes in three primary varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. Their portfolio features single-vineyard designated wines that express the unique characteristics of each site. The winery produces approximately 10,000-15,000 cases annually across their range of wines, though production has likely evolved with their expansion into Oregon.
Philosophy & Practice
Failla's winemaking philosophy emphasizes traditional techniques that allow for clear expression of site and variety. Ehren Jordan employs Burgundian winemaking methods, particularly appropriate for their focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
For their Pinot Noir production, Jordan incorporates some percentage of whole cluster fermentation, a technique that can add complexity and structure to the finished wines. Native yeast fermentations are a common practice at Failla, aligning with their approach that favors minimal intervention.
The aging program typically involves a combination of new and neutral French oak barrels, carefully balanced to support rather than overwhelm the wines' natural characteristics. This measured approach to oak influence complements their overall winemaking style, which tends toward elegance and restraint rather than power and extraction.
In the vineyard, Failla implements sustainable farming practices across their properties, focusing on methods that maintain vineyard health while respecting environmental considerations. This vineyard management approach aligns with their winemaking philosophy of allowing site expression to shine through in the finished wines.