About DANA Estates
DANA Estates traces its roots to an 1883 stone winery built by German immigrant viticulturist H.W. Helms on what is now the Rutherford Bench; the property later passed to John and Diane Livingston, who released their first wine in 1984. South Korean businessman Hi Sang Lee purchased the estate in 2005, renamed it DANA (a Sanskrit word for 'spirit of generosity,' also Lee's childhood nickname), and rebuilt it with architect Howard Backen, preserving the original 1880s stone walls.
Consulting winemaker Philippe Melka has crafted every vintage since Lee's ownership began, working across roughly 60 acres spanning four vineyard sites: the Helms estate vineyard in Rutherford, Hershey Vineyard on Howell Mountain, Lotus Vineyard below Howell Mountain, and Crystal Springs Vineyard. Vineyards are organically farmed with yields typically under two tons per acre, and wines are fermented without stainless steel, using large oak tanks, French oak barriques, and concrete.