Why I am Taking This Class

When I was 13 my family moved from Boston, MA to Paris, France- a move that is devastating only to a 13 year old child who is not yet interested in wine.  My dad had accepted a job helping to set up a medical foundation (the Leducq Foundation) with a focus on funding cardiovascular research.  The assets for this new foundation came from a French entrepreneur, Jean Leducq, who, true to French stereotype, absolutely loved wine.  During his life Jean acquired several vineyards as pet projects, and one of them (Ehlers Estate in St. Helena, CA) is still in operation.  Today, years after Jean’s passing, Ehlers remains a beautiful vineyard and winery with fantastic wines, the proceeds of which continue to fund cardiovascular research through the Foundation.  My family remains involved in managing the Leducq Foundation, and by association Ehlers Estate.  I’m taking this class in part because I aspire to be useful in informing the direction of Ehlers Estate and the wine I love.  But also, more selfishly I am fascinated to learn more about wines and industries from outside of the areas I am more familiar with (i.e. from regions outside of France and California).