Bank Sues Ehren Jordan for $17.5M in Debt

First Citizens Bank seeks court approval to foreclose on five properties tied to Jordan's wine business after loan defaults.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Debt Relief

Bank Sues Ehren Jordan for $17.5M in Debt

First Citizens Bank & Trust Company has sued Ehren Jordan in Napa County Superior Court, seeking more than $17.5 million in unpaid loans and accrued interest. The bank also asked the court to authorize foreclosure on five of Jordan's properties.

Why it matters

The suit highlights the financial strain facing Napa Valley wineries as wine sales have dropped across the country. For Napa residents and the local wine industry, the case raises questions about the future of established local brands.

The bank's lawsuit cites $17,535,567 in unpaid loans and interest, with interest accruing at $2,563.62 daily. Jordan's payments of about $324,000 from July to October covered under 2% of the debt, and the court has not yet acted on the foreclosure request.

The players

Ehren Jordan

Ehren Jordan is a Napa Valley winemaker and co-founder of the winery Failla, which he established in 1998 with a focus on Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

First Citizens Bank & Trust Company

First Citizens Bank & Trust Company is a regional bank that extended the loans to Jordan's winery operations and filed the lawsuit seeking repayment.

The details

The lawsuit names Ehren Jordan, Ehren Jordan Cellars, the Oregon winery operation and Day Zinfandel as defendants. Ehren Jordan Cellars amended its loan agreement with Silicon Valley Bank for the fifth time in April 2022, and Jordan defaulted less than two years later after the bank had entered into ten amendments and default waivers.

April 2022: Ehren Jordan Cellars amended its loan agreement for the fifth time.
Less than two years after April 2022: Jordan defaulted on the loan.
July to October: Jordan made roughly $324,000 in partial payments.
End of April: The bank's deadline for an $8 million repayment through a property sale was missed.
November 4: The lawsuit was filed in Napa County Superior Court.

Legal Context

Jordan's default followed a national drop in wine sales that squeezed wineries carrying heavy debt loads. The lawsuit shows how that downturn can turn into foreclosure proceedings for established Napa Valley producers.

For Napa residents and wine enthusiasts, the case could affect which Napa Valley labels remain in production if the foreclosure request is granted. Local vineyard workers and nearby businesses tied to these properties may also feel the effects of any sale or closure.

The takeaway

Business owners carrying large variable-rate or amended loans should track repayment deadlines closely, since missed milestones can quickly trigger default and litigation.