LEVY & McCLELLAND (Winemaker & Proprietor)

Sloan Estate (Winemaker)

Martha McClellan earned a degree in Oenology and Viticulture from the University of Geisenheim in Germany and then spent 10 years perfecting her winemaking skills in Germany, Australia, and the U.S. She joined Merryvale Vineyards as Assistant Winemaker in 1995, and while there, began making Harlan Estate, which was being made at the Merryvale winery location in St. Helena at that time. After the construction of the Harlan Estate Winery in Oakville was completed, she relocated to the estate and continued to participate in the making of the wines from 1997 through the 2000 vintage.

Martha was recruited by Stuart Sloan in July 2000 to take on development of the winery, management, and winemaking at the now highly-sought-after wines of Sloan Estate. There, she oversees production all the way from the vineyard to the bottle. Martha uses 100-percent estate grapes to produce Sloan’s Proprietary Reds, which are made primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon, with accents of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Verdot.

She also spent three years leading the winemaking and vineyards at Blankiet Estate, taking over the 2006, 2007, and 2008 vintages and bringing the winery into the realm of esteemed wines in Napa Valley. In addition, Martha served as the consulting winemaker for Hamel Family Wines in Sonoma for a number of years, starting in 2013, working directly with its winemaker, John Hamel, on crafting wines and assisting in designing the winery and caves adjacent to its estate house.

Martha currently is head winemaker for Toymaker Cellars and formerly was associated with Checkerboard Vineyard, where she was a member of the winemaking team for nearly 20 years, starting in 2006. In response to the continuing request for her time and talents, she has taken on the position of head consulting winemaker at Vineyard 7 & 8 in the Napa Valley.

After years of practicing the skills of their shared passion at other venues, Martha McClellan and her husband, Robert Levy, combined their individual talents and experiences in an independent endeavor of their label, LEVY & McCLELLAN. They live in St. Helena.