Ellman began with a simple conviction: that two brothers from Miami could make great wine in Napa Valley if they were willing to learn everything and spare nothing. Neil and Lance Ellman — third-generation manufacturers who grew up in the family mattress business — fell in love with Napa over years of visits and made the decision to plant roots here in 2007. They started by studying the craft from the ground up, then built their vision around a 20-acre estate vineyard on Soda Canyon Road.

The wines are named for people who matter to the family. Jemma is a Red Blend named for a beloved family member. The Estate Cabernet speaks for itself — six barrels of 100% estate Cabernet Sauvignon that critic Jeb Dunnuck called "straight-up awesome." Antonio Galloni described Ellman as "a fascinating winery to follow in the coming years." The family is now welcoming its next generation into the business — Neil's son Jordan manages the Western Region and carries the vision forward.

Ellman's wines come entirely from their 20-acre estate vineyard in the Soda Canyon area of southern Napa Valley — a cooler, hillside site that produces wines with an elegant, restrained character distinct from the valley floor. The philosophy is simple: the best wines are grown, not made. The job of the cellar is to step aside and let the vineyard speak.

Winemaker Andy Erickson — one of Napa's most respected names, with a body of work that spans Screaming Eagle, Favia, and Dalla Valle — leads winemaking with associate winemaker Patrick Nyeholt. Viticulturist Michael Wolf oversees the vines. The team works collaboratively with the Ellman family vintage to vintage, focused on wines that reflect the specific character of their Soda Canyon home.

Brothers Neil and Lance Ellman are the proprietors and driving force behind the estate. Neil, based in Miami, oversees sales and marketing; Lance handles operations and facilities. General Manager Justin Vazquez — a Court of Master Sommeliers candidate who has been with Ellman since 2018 — runs daily operations and leads the hospitality program. Estate & Sales Director Michael Ploetz brings a background in luxury hospitality (The Peninsula Hotels, the José Andrés Group) to guest relationships and trade. Jordan Ellman, Neil's son, manages the Western Region and represents the next generation of family stewardship.