Our History
In 1880, at the young age of 17, John N. Herzog immigrated to America from Germany to escape to the land of opportunity. After being processed at Ellis Island, he worked his way across the country with only dreams in his pocket. John arrived in California not looking for gold, but for a place to eventually start his farming career and raise a family. Even though there was the risk of flooding every winter, he was attracted to the very fertile Sacramento River Delta. At the age of 21, John leased his first piece of farm ground from the Ehrhardt family. He was entirely a self-made man, being both the architect and builder of his own fortunes. He quickly established his dairy, fruit and vegetable farm. His farm products were of superior quality and found a ready market in Sacramento, where he met his future bride, Walburga Hauser. They were married in 1896 and raised 8 children. In 1902 The Ehrhardt family sold him 640 acres of their finest acreage, which is known today as The Herzog Company.
John Herzog was recognized as a public-spirited citizen, he labored earnestly and effectively for the welfare of his town and county, and he enjoyed the confidence of the public as a business man and citizen, while his genial social nature gained him many friends. He died an untimely death in 1919 leaving the operation to his two oldest sons and wife. The business was incorporated in 1921 and in 1923 The Delta Dairy was established. It operated for 23 years serving the residents of the Delta. They worked closely with the University of California at Davis to develop a high producing, high quality herd. The dairy was sold in 1956 and the sons continued farming various row crops.
In 1960 John and Paul Baranek planted an experimental vineyard with several varieties of wine grapes. The first harvest was in the fall of 1963. The grapes were taken to Fresno State College and wines were made. The finished wines were taken to Christian Brothers to be tasted by Brother Timothy and his colleagues and various other wineries in Napa. Brother Timothy was extremely impressed with the Chenin Blanc and encouraged The Herzog Company to plant 30 acres of Chenin Blanc and get into the vineyard business. Each year the vineyard has expanded and today the farm is in full production. After growing wine grapes for over 40 years, in 2002 The Herzog Company established Ehrhardt Estates Winery. Our first varietal we bottled was Chenin Blanc. We now have, Petite Sirah, "Marie" Late Harvest Chenin Blanc, Old Vine Merlot and "76" Dijon Clone Chardonnay as well. Our future plans include a wine tasting room that will be located in an historic barn that sits in the middle of a grove of century old Valley Oak trees. It will be the coveted place for weddings, picnics, gatherings and corporate meetings in Sacramento County. Today, John Baranek, third generation and Randy Baranek, the fourth generation of the Herzog family, farms, manages and oversees the wine production and sales of Ehrhardt Estates Winery, which is a legacy to John Herzog's dedication to the land and his passion for his country and his community.
* Paul Baranek was a Farm Advisor in Madera County for 25 years. John Baranek graduated from Fresno State with a degree in Viticulture and Enology in 1968. He is General Manager of The Herzog Company. He is well known in the wine grape industry for growing premium wine grapes. He wrote the Clarksburg Appellation, which was recorded in the Congressional record. He has taught grape growing at Cosumnes River College. He taught in the Ukraine for USDA to a group of Ukrainian grape growers as well. He is considered an authority on wine grape production. Randy Baranek graduated from Fresno Sate University as well, with a degree in Ag Business and Viticulture. He was raised on the Herzog Company farm. He is the Past-President of the Clarksburg Wine Growers Association.