CONGRESS SPRINGS - scmwine/Wineries GitHub Wiki

Congress Springs Vineyards

Infobox

  • Type: Winery
  • Status: Historic (Closed 1990)
  • Founded: 1976
  • Closed: 1990
  • Region / AVA: Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
  • Location: Congress Springs Road, Saratoga, CA
  • Founders: Daniel and Robin Gehrs
  • Winemaker: Daniel Gehrs (1976-1990)
  • Associated vineyards: Estate vineyard (pre-Prohibition vines), Novitiate Vineyard
  • Predecessor: Ville de Monmartre (pre-Prohibition)
  • Successor: Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards (1996-present)
  • Historical significance: Rediscovered and revived pre-Prohibition vineyard site; pioneered San Ysidro District Chardonnay; established 90+ point quality standards; preserved head-pruned Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc genetics

Summary

Congress Springs Vineyards (1976-1990) was a quality-focused Santa Cruz Mountains winery founded by Daniel and Robin Gehrs after discovering a derelict mountain vineyard with head-pruned Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc vines dating to before Prohibition. Named for Congress Springs Road in Saratoga, the winery quickly established a reputation for exceptional Chardonnay from the then-unknown San Ysidro District (regularly scoring 90+ points) and Pinot Noir from Novitiate Vineyard. At its peak, Congress Springs produced 25,000 cases annually. After the Gehrs left in 1990, the property changed hands several times before becoming Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards in 1996.

Chronology

  • Pre-1920 — Ville de Monmartre vineyard planted with Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc
  • 1920-1933 — Prohibition; vineyard abandoned
  • 1933-1974 — Vineyard remains derelict
  • 1974 — Daniel Gehrs hired at Paul Masson Vineyards
  • 1976 — Daniel and Robin Gehrs discover derelict vineyard; found Congress Springs Vineyards
  • 1978 — Pinot Noir from Novitiate Vineyard earns "Spectator Selection"
  • 1980s — Peak production (25,000 cases annually); Chardonnays regularly score 90+ points
  • 1989 — Attempted second label "Chaine d'Or" (sparkling wines); only known release 1986 blanc de blancs
  • 1990 — Gehrs leave Congress Springs
  • Early 1990s — Sold to British corporation
  • 1992-1996 — Owned by Mariana family
  • 1996 — Michael and Kellie Ballard purchase and rename Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards

History

Discovery and Founding (1974-1976)

Daniel Gehrs was a Political Science graduate who developed an interest in wine while at university. In 1974, he obtained an entry-level position at Paul Masson Vineyards.

Soon after, Daniel and his wife Robin Gehrs discovered a derelict mountain vineyard with:

  • Head-pruned Zinfandel vines dating to before Prohibition
  • Cabernet Franc vines also pre-Prohibition
  • Historic site on Congress Springs Road, Saratoga

They named the property Congress Springs Vineyards and began reviving the historic vines.

The site was actually the historic Ville de Monmartre property, which had been planted pre-Prohibition and abandoned during or after the dry years.

First vintage: 1976

Quality Reputation (1976-1990)

Congress Springs quickly established itself as a quality-focused winery:

Pinot Noir success:

  • 1978 Pinot Noir from Novitiate Vineyard earned a "Spectator Selection" from Wine Spectator
  • Novitiate also provided fruit for Chenin Blanc and Pinot Blanc

Chardonnay excellence: The winery became best known for Chardonnay sourced from the little-known San Ysidro District (Santa Clara Valley AVA).

These Chardonnays:

  • Regularly scored 90+ points in Wine Spectator
  • Brought attention to San Ysidro District as premium terroir
  • Established Gehrs as master of Chardonnay

Peak production: 25,000 cases annually

Second Label Attempt (1989)

In 1989, Congress Springs attempted to launch a second label called "Chaine d'Or" focused on sparkling wines.

Note: No connection to the Chaine d'Or winery in Woodside.

Only known release:

  • 1986 blanc de blancs — Cuvée of 75% Santa Clara Valley (San Ysidro) Chardonnay and 25% Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Blanc

The sparkling wine program did not continue beyond this release.

Departure and Succession (1990-1996)

In 1990, the Gehrs left Congress Springs. They:

  • Founded Daniel Gehrs Wines (new company)
  • Had a spell with Elliston
  • Moved south to Santa Barbara County

Daniel Gehrs Wines continues today in Santa Barbara.

Congress Springs property succession:

The pre-Prohibition vines are still in production under Savannah-Chanelle.

Wines / Viticulture

Varietals

Estate:

  • Zinfandel (pre-Prohibition head-pruned vines)
  • Cabernet Franc (pre-Prohibition vines)

Purchased Fruit:

  • Chardonnay — San Ysidro District (Santa Clara Valley)
  • Pinot Noir — Novitiate Vineyard
  • Pinot Blanc — Novitiate Vineyard
  • Chenin Blanc — Novitiate Vineyard

Production Style

  • Quality focus — Not volume-driven despite 25,000-case peak
  • Vineyard-designated wines — Emphasized site character
  • San Ysidro District pioneer — Brought attention to little-known terroir
  • Single-vineyard bottlings — Novitiate vineyard designates

Notable Wines

  • 1978 Pinot Noir (Novitiate Vineyard) — Wine Spectator "Spectator Selection"
  • Chardonnays (San Ysidro District) — Regularly 90+ points in Wine Spectator
  • 1986 Chaine d'Or blanc de blancs — 75% San Ysidro Chardonnay, 25% SCM Pinot Blanc

Facilities

  • Location: Congress Springs Road, Saratoga, CA (Santa Cruz Mountains)
  • Estate vineyard: Pre-Prohibition vines (head-pruned Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc)
  • Production: Up to 25,000 cases annually at peak

Relationships

People

  • Daniel Gehrs — Founder, winemaker (1976-1990)
  • Robin Gehrs — Co-founder
  • Tony Craig — Later winemaker at successor Savannah-Chanelle (2003-present)
  • Michael and Kellie Ballard — Purchased property 1996, renamed Savannah-Chanelle

Vineyards

  • Estate vineyard (Congress Springs Road) — Pre-Prohibition Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc
  • Novitiate Vineyard — Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Chenin Blanc source
  • San Ysidro District — Chardonnay source (Santa Clara Valley)

Related Wineries

  • Ville de Monmartre — Pre-Prohibition predecessor (same site)
  • Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards — Successor (1996-present)
  • Daniel Gehrs Wines — Gehrs' subsequent venture (Santa Barbara)
  • Paul Masson Vineyards — Where Daniel Gehrs worked before founding Congress Springs

Historical Significance

1. Pre-Prohibition Vine Preservation

Congress Springs rediscovered and revived the Ville de Monmartre site:

  • Head-pruned Zinfandel vines (pre-1920)
  • Cabernet Franc vines (pre-1920)
  • These vines still produce today under Savannah-Chanelle
  • Preserved rare pre-Prohibition genetics

2. San Ysidro District Pioneer

Congress Springs brought attention to San Ysidro District as premium Chardonnay terroir:

  • Little-known area within Santa Clara Valley AVA
  • Chardonnays regularly scored 90+ points
  • Demonstrated quality potential outside Santa Cruz Mountains proper
  • Paved way for future San Ysidro recognition

3. Quality Standards in Revival Era

Operating 1976-1990, Congress Springs was part of the 1970s-1980s quality revolution in Santa Cruz Mountains:

  • Contemporary with David Bruce, Ridge, Mount Eden maturity
  • Demonstrated small winery could achieve 90+ point scores
  • Quality over quantity despite 25,000-case production
  • Wine Spectator recognition validated approach

4. Site Continuity

Congress Springs represents the middle chapter in site lineage:

  1. Pre-1920: Ville de Monmartre
  2. 1976-1990: Congress Springs (Gehrs)
  3. 1996-present: Savannah-Chanelle (Ballard)

This 100+ year site continuity validates original site selection.

Current Status

  • Operations: Closed 1990
  • Property: Now operated as Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards
  • Vines: Pre-Prohibition vines still producing under successor
  • Label: Defunct; Gehrs continues as Daniel Gehrs Wines in Santa Barbara

Open Questions / Research Leads

  • Exact acreage of estate vineyard
  • Production volumes by year
  • Complete wine list (beyond Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Blanc)
  • Why Gehrs left in 1990 (financial? creative differences with partners?)
  • Details of sale to British corporation (who? when exactly?)
  • Mariana family ownership details (1992-1996)
  • Whether any Congress Springs wines remain in circulation
  • Complete Chaine d'Or sparkling wine program details
  • Relationship between Gehrs and Novitiate Vineyard
  • How Gehrs discovered the derelict vineyard

Sources

Oral History

  • Daniel Gehrs interviews (potential)

Secondary

  • Wine Spectator reviews and articles

Web / Reference

Confidence Notes

High Confidence

  • Founded 1976 by Daniel and Robin Gehrs
  • Discovered derelict vineyard with pre-Prohibition vines
  • Named for Congress Springs Road location
  • 1978 Pinot Noir "Spectator Selection"
  • Chardonnays from San Ysidro regularly 90+ points
  • Peak production 25,000 cases
  • Gehrs left 1990
  • Became Savannah-Chanelle 1996
  • Pre-Prohibition vines still producing

Medium Confidence

  • Exact production volumes
  • Complete ownership succession 1990-1996
  • Chaine d'Or program details

Low Confidence / Needs Verification

  • Why Gehrs left 1990
  • Financial details of transitions
  • Complete wine portfolio

See Also: