A brief history
Our shared passion for enriching life with friends, culture, great food, and wine inspired the founding of Eleven Eleven. As friends, we envisioned creating a brand that celebrates the everyday moments that make life extraordinary.
Ellie Anest and Aurelien Roulin met in circumstances that in hindsight seem fated: onboard an international flight. Their in-flight conversation sparked an immediate connection, highlighting a shared entrepreneurial spirit and aspirations. Over time and many more conversations about work, life, and dreams, a lifelong friendship grew. Not sure what or when, they were certain that they would create something special together.
The pair quickly realized they shared many common interests, including a strong work ethic, positivity, passion for growth and learning and, of course, wine. With these qualities in mind, they began their partnership with a real estate investment alongside Ellie’s lifelong friend, Carol Vassiliadis. Out of pure coincidence, the land they purchased came with a world-class estate vineyard. Shortly after, Aurelien connected with Kirk Venge - a friend and now winemaker for Eleven Eleven. Kirk, a coveted Napa third-generation winemaker, as fated, took on Eleven Eleven as his eleventh consultancy.
“MY FOCUS HAS ALWAYS BEEN ‘VINEYARD FIRST’ AND THE ELEVEN ELEVEN VINEYARDS ARE IDEAL FOR PRODUCING EXCEPTIONAL FRUIT FOR A POWERFUL EXPRESSION OF NAPA VALLEY. I COVETED THE VINEYARDS THAT ELLIE, CAROL AND AURELIEN WERE SAVVY ENOUGH TO SECURE, AND IT WAS WITH GREAT EXCITEMENT THAT I JOINED AS WINEMAKER.” -KIRK VENGE
