But he is a veteran of agriculture in other forms. Lawrence, who lives in Memphis and whose headquarters are in Arkansas, is a newcomer to the wine industry. “There’s no plan to change any of the existing relationships,” he said. The Lawrence transaction does not affect the ownership of Martha’s Vineyard, and Boyd expects that Heitz will continue making the wine. Heitz is best known for its Cabernet Sauvignon from Martha’s Vineyard, which is owned by the May family. A bottle of Heitz Wine Cellars Grignolino rosé and a bottle of Grignolino. The winery produces 35,000 to 40,000 cases of wine annually. What began with that modest vineyard has since expanded to include the Ink Grade, Linda Falls and Valley Oak Ranch sites. Helena in 1961, their family has built Heitz Wine Cellars into one of Napa Valley’s leading estates. Since Joe and Alice Heitz bought an 8-acre vineyard in St. While it’s not the first family-owned winery in Napa Valley to be sold to an outside company, it may be the highest-profile one other than Robert Mondavi Winery, which is now owned by Constellation Brands. Family-owned for more than 50 years, it was expected to pass into the hands of its third generation, in particular to David Heitz’s son Harrison. Heitz was not considered a likely candidate for a sale. “The whole Heitz family came to a decision that it was time for someone else to take it on.” Robert Boyd, previously of Joseph Phelps Winery, has been named president and CEO. Winemaker David Heitz and president and CEO Kathleen Heitz Myers, the second-generation stewards of the winery, will be stepping down from their roles. The purchase price was not disclosed, though an unnamed source in Wine Business speculated that it could go up to $180 million. The transaction includes 425 acres of vineyards, the winery and the tasting room. Heitz Wine Cellars, a renowned Napa Valley winery, has been sold to Gaylon Lawrence Jr., whose family owns one of the country’s largest agricultural businesses. Carey Sweet / Special to The Chronicle Show More Show Less Carey Sweet / Special to The Chronicle Show More Show Less 6 of6 Heitz's laid-back tasting room in St. Sarah Rice / Special to The Chronicle 2014 Show More Show Less 5 of6 Heitz remains one of the few Napa wineries that still offers free tastings. Harrison Heitz (left), his aunt Kathleen Heitz Myers, and his father, David Heitz, at Heitz Wine Cellars in St. Sarah Rice / Special to The Chronicle 2014 Show More Show Less 4 of6 The Heitz family founded their winery in 1961. Sarah Rice / Special to The Chronicle 2014 Show More Show Less 2 of6 Heitz Tasting Room Back Patio Flowers Robert Holmes / Heitz Wine Cellars Show More Show Less 3 of6 Winemaker David Heitz stands in the Grignolino plantings at Heitz Wine Cellars in St. Helena, Calif., on Tuesday, March 4, 2014. In April 2018 Heitz acquired the 54-acre Wildwood Vineyard in Rutherford for a reported US$25 million from Sterling Vineyards, which was owned by Treasury Wine Estates, followed by the historic Haynes Vineyard in Coombsville in October 2019.1 of6 From left, David Heitz, his sister Kathleen Heitz Myers, Eric White, Harrison Heitz, and Brittany Dibb at Heitz Cellar in St. Between 1946-71, the vineyards were the site for one of Napa’s pioneering wine brands, Souverain, although the winery itself was founded by Tom Burgess who bought the property in 1972 and passed it to his sons in 2012. “We’re just the new owners.”īurgess Cellars, which produces around 12,000 cases a year from its 30-year old, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon vines, was originally planted with vines in the 1870’s although it has seen several changes of ownership and replantings during its long history. “We are buying a historically significant brand, and a site that has a pedigree for creating exceptional wines,” he said. McCoy said an important factor in the deal was that Burgess Cellars would be keping ts identity. The new owners have appointed Meghan Zobeck, who has worked as assistant winemaker at Atelier Melka since 2015 following stints at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and Screaming Eagle, will head up the winemaking team at Burgess, taking over from outgoing Kelly Woods. The deal includes the Burgess Cellar brand, winey, tasting room and 26acre estate. Lawrence, who acquired St Helena-based Heitz in April 2018 for a rumoured US$180 million has bought Burgess Cellar in Howell Mountain alongside Heitz CEO Carlton McCoy Jr. The owner of Napa’s Heitz Cellar has boosted his Californian foothold with the acquisition of Californian winery Burgess Cellars for an undisclosed sum.Īrkansas banking billionaire Gaylon M.
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