Failla (pronounced FAY-la) was originally founded as Failla Jordan in 1998, taking its name from the husband-and-wife team of winemaker Ehren Jordan and fellow debtor Anne-Marie Failla. That year the Estate vineyard on the Sonoma Coast was planted and together they began buying fruit for our first releases, the very Rhône-style ‘98 Alban Vineyard Viognier and ‘98 Que Syrah Syrah.

After three vintages, legal issues over the use of the word Jordan (as in Jordan Winery) in the name forced them to continue the label as simply "Failla".

"Failla" debuted with a new Chuck House-designed label in the fall of 2002. The original label, designed by Anne-Marie's sister Marybeth, has been archived and the first three vintages will join either the pantheon of collectors' items or the fraternity of the oddities bin.

The lineup of wines (which includes varietals other than Pinot Noir as well) are sold through a mailing list. The business address is 3530 Silverado Trail in St. Helena. 707-963-0530

Ehren spent several years looking for unique, cool-climate Pinot Noir sources. The portfolio currently includes Pinots from the Hirsch Vineyard on the Sonoma Coast (added in 2001) as well a Keefer Ranch in Green Valley. The 2005 vintage brought Pinot Noirs from Occidental Ridge on the Sonoma Coast, and Rancho Santa Rosa in the Santa Rita Hills north of Santa Barbara. 2006 includes Appian Way Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley, as well as Peay Vineyards and Estate Pinot from the Sonoma Coast.