News Briefs for August 13, 2013
August 13, 2013•Trinchero Family Estates (TFE) has added Millennial-geared wine group Taken Wine Company to its portfolio. Founded by Carlo Trinchero (son of TFE CEO Roger Trinchero) and Josh Phelps (son of renowned winemaker Chris Phelps), Taken’s portfolio includes a namesake Napa red composed of 60% Cab and 40% Merlot and retailing at $30, as well as Complicated red blend from the Central Coast ($20) and Complicated Sonoma Valley Chardonnay at $18.
•Sonoma’s St. Francis Winery, part of the Kobrand portfolio, is launching its newly-repackaged White Splash white blend nationwide this month. Made with Muscat, Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Gris and Viognier grapes sourced from California, White Splash will now be available at grocery and retail outlets across the country, priced at $12.99 a 750-ml. First launched in select markets in 2012, White Splash joins portfoliomate Red Splash—a red blend—in national distribution. Concurrently, Sonoma-based St. Francis has appointed Chris Louton, a former associate winemaker of Beringer Vineyards, as winemaker. Louton will be charged with overseeing production of the estate’s namesake Bordeaux varietal wines, including its Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.
•St. Helena-based Duckhorn Wine Co. has purchased the Hopland winery that houses custom crush business Rack & Riddle, according to local press reports. The Hopland property was previously owned by real estate group EFR Properties. Terms of the deal—which closed last Thursday—weren’t disclosed, but according to public records the property was valued at $24.6 million at the end of 2012. The purchase includes 130,000 square feet of production space, processing equipment and 25 acres planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Duckhorn won’t take over Rack & Riddle’s custom crush business, instead using the facility for production of its own wine brands. With the deal, Duckhorn hopes to expand its Sonoma County portfolio, which already includes Impact “Hot Prospect” Decoy. Duckhorn’s portfolio also includes its eponymous brand, as well as Paraduxx, Goldeneye and Migration.
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