Moët Hennessy sharpens Napa focus

Moët Hennessy’s Estates & Wines division is stepping up efforts to improve the quality and positioning of its Napa Valley estate Newton Vineyard.

Following a decision earlier this year to move winemaker Robert Mann from Margaret River’s Cape Mentelle to take the reins at Newton, particular attention is now turning to improvements for the brand’s $60 Cabernet Sauvignon Unfiltered.

Currently produced primarily from grapes grown on Spring Mountain, the wine will now also feature fruit sourced from the group’s Chandon vineyards in Mount Veeder and Yountville in order to improve consistency between vintages.

Speaking to Shanken News Daily, Estates & Wines CEO Jean-Guillaume Prats confirmed: “The ambition is to re-establish Newton as one of the top five or six wineries for Cabernet in the Napa Valley.”

In order to achieve this goal, Prats indicated a plan to reduce the Newton wine portfolio in order to focus on its Unfiltered range and top end blend The Puzzle, with the possibility of adding a Pinot Noir to the collection.

Setting this move within the wider context of his strategy since taking the helm at Estates & Wines in February 2013, Prats told Shanken: “Across all our brands, we’re reducing SKUs and going to the core of our business, focusing on extreme quality, the best expression of terroir and making the message easy to understand for the consumer.”

In addition to Cape Mentelle and Newton, the Estates & Wines division encompasses Cloudy Bay in New Zealand, Numanthia in Toro, Terrazas de los Andes and Cheval des Andes in Argentina, and the Chandon sparkling brand in various countries worldwide, which has seen a particular push in the UK this year.

Prats’ remit also covers high profile Moët Hennessy winemaking ventures in India and China.