Meet the Dream Team : Steve Ledson
A fifth generation Sonoma County farmer and philanthropist, Steve Noble Ledson broke ground on the Ledson Winery & Vineyards in 1989, after spending the first part of his career building a successful residential development business in Northern California. Only in his thirties, Steve had achieved more than most, but not as much as he wanted. Steve wanted to grow grapes, something his great-great-grandfather, his great-grandfather, his grandfather, his father and his uncles before him had done since 1862.
In late 1989 he found a 21-acre property in the heart of the Sonoma Valley wine country that was the perfect spot for his dream house and vineyard. Steve immediately planted 17 acres of Merlot and designed an ultimate architectural showpiece. By the time of his first harvest in 1993, the 16,000 square foot Gothic, French-Normandy structure replete with slate tile, turrets, balconies and fountains had begun to take shape and stop traffic. Steve realized that the "castle", as locals had come to call it, was short on privacy. Based upon the public interest and the quality of his first harvest, Steve decided to transform the house into a winery and tasting room and to build his home elsewhere. A quick change of plans was followed by four painfully long years acquiring commercial permits and two more years of reconstruction before the winery's eventual completion. The architectural showpiece boasts a grand staircase reminiscent of 'Gone With the Wind', meticulous decor, and over five miles of ornate wood inlays and mosaics, truly making it one of Sonoma Valley's most unique wine country locations. Ten beautifully appointed tasting bars and tasting suites are scattered throughout both floors of the Castle. Impeccable exterior grounds and garden areas shadowed by 100-year-old oak trees provide the perfect backdrop for a romantic picnic, complete with panoramic views of vineyards, fountains and rolling hills.
Years of farming had endowed Steve with an instinct for making things grow and grow well. He originally sold the Merlot from his estate vineyard to several local wineries, but was convinced by a local winemaker that the fruit was so special he should instead bottle and sell the estate Merlot under the Ledson name.
In 1997 the winery released its first vintage, the 1994 Estate Merlot to broad critical acclaim. Since then Steve has overseen all vineyard and wine making decisions, concentrating his efforts on small lots that showcase the varietal and terroir diversity of California's appellations.
In addition to the 17-acre estate vineyard, Ledson Winery owns 21 acres in Sonoma, which is currently planted to 100+-year Old Vine Zinfandel, 11 acres in Russian River Valley planted in 1911 to Zinfandel, and 5,500 acres in Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, that is currently being developed to plant Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Riesling or Merlot.
In 2003 Steve opened his luxury two-story Ledson Hotel & Lounge, situated on the historic Sonoma Plaza. The hotel features six individually decorated rooms on the upper floor, while the lounge covers the entire ground floor offering wine tastings, cocktails, piano music and relaxation by the fireplace or at the sidewalk seating. Meticulously designed and built by Steve, the hotel represents a step back in time to a grander era.
