Ste. Michelle buys Greenwood Vineyards in Calistoga

Washington State’s oldest winery, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, has snapped up Greenwood Vineyards, a 56-acre site north of Calistoga, for an undisclosed sum.

The vineyard was purchased from James and Jill Mooney, who have owned the property since the mid-‘80s. The deal was finalised on 10 July.

Greenwood Vineyards is planted predominantly with Cabernet Sauvignon, but also boasts a small amount of Merlot and Valdiguié – a red grape primarily grown in the Languedoc. The site is expected to provide grapes for the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars’ Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon.

“This vineyard becomes an important part of our portfolio. We are constantly working to enhance the quality of our Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon at the winery with new equipment and in the vineyard with new techniques and grape sourcing,” said Stag’s Leap’s winemaker, Marcus Notaro.

“This purchase will help us secure top quality grape sourcing and we are excited by the aromatics, tannins and structure this warm site can provide,” he added.

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars currently sources fruit from other nearby vineyards in Calistoga for several of its wine club exclusive wines. Ste. Michelle owns Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars with the Antinori family. Its other California holdings include Conn Creek in Napa and Patz & Hall in Sonoma.

The company’s Washington portfolio includes Columbia Crest, 14 Hands, Col Solare, Northstar, Spring Valley Vineyard, Merf, Seven Falls and Domaine Ste. Michelle sparkling wines.

In 2006, Ste. Michelle became the exclusive US importer for the Marchesi Antinori portfolio alongside Chile’s Haras de Pirque. Three years later it started importing Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte into America, and a year after that, New Zealand’s Villa Maria.