Monday, December 14, 2009
Draft wine novel, “Entwined Vines,”
John Olney, our founder, has been developing a novel that under the hypothesis that Napa Valley is being purchased by large international conglomerates and will soon loose all the charm that created it back in the 1960's. His rationale for this thinking is based on the article he wrote back in 2006 and has been continually updating.
So far. Mr. Olney has provided background fodder representing today’s reality about not only the wineries but the land that they occupy. Yet more importantly, these local, national and international business entities are the employers of about 39,000 workers who in turn represent a significant percentage of the registered voters of Napa County. It is with this background, and in this context, that Mr. Olney presents his fictional futuristic story of a different Napa Valley than what you see and know today.
Mr. Olney and WCN&P disavow any resemblance to any existing company or individual residing in or conducting business within Napa County in the past, now or in the future. Any such resemblance is purely and solely drawn by the reader and not intended to be concluded by the author or WCM&P.
Click here to read about the changing composition of leaders of Napa Valley Wine Industry >>>> http://twccvines.blogspot.com/2007/09/rezoning-of-napa-county-hypothetical.html
Click here for the draft first chapter >>>> http://twccvines.blogspot.com/2007/01/chapter-one.html
Chapter One
The Falling Leafs and Growing Seeds of Changing Times
Brian Waggoner, a hard working general contractor, was finishing a day’s work on the newest winery his firm had been contracted to erect. He not only enjoyed building the wineries his good friend and architect partner had designed, but he had acquired a taste for fine - no extremely fine - wines many of which he knew he should not be purchasing while he was developing his growing business and providing for his family. As he left the job site, his wife, Ginger, called to remind him that they had to attend a major wine fundraising event that night at the Wine Country Resort and Country Club honoring the achievements of one the Napa Valley’s last surviving great renaissance winegrowers of the reborn Napa Valley following repeal of the 13-year Prohibition Era - Luigi Castallini. He told his wife he would be home shortly, quickly shower, shave and redress within the hour. Ginger was pleased as she hung up with the salutation, “Love you.”
Harvey Drake, Executive Director of the Napa County Winegrowers Association (NCWA) was at the grand staircase entry at the old colonial mansion at the Resort built by one of San Francisco’s wealthiest businessman back in the 1870s. Drake was receiving the dignitaries and invited guests to this very special occasion. Every time a car or limo pulled up to deposit an attendee, Harvey couldn’t help wonder how such a simple yet at the same time complex Italian man could have garnished such national, indeed international, fame when in Harvey’s opinion the man had only been feeding his egotistical ambitions to build his own empire.
Luigi Castallini was in his home attempting to dress himself but finding the task burdensome and frustrating, he called out, ”Maria, come help this old man, I can’t get these damn pants up over my knees!“ As he sat there waiting for her answer and arrival, he reflected on his frustrations while muttering aloud but quietly, “I’m no longer in control of my winery… and now… I can’t even control my body … I have no dignity remaining! My wife…. strangers she hired…..dress and undress me. My children….. selling off my dream ….. rushing to monetary wealth…… my dream and I built it. …. What has become of the world I knew?”
Bruce and Ginger arrived at the Wine Country Resort at the same time as the limo carrying the Castallini clan. The valets looked to Bruce and then over at the limo. Bruce saw their dilemma, as Bruce was a good customer, so he quickly motioned to them that all was just fine and he motioned with his hand for them to go attend to the Castallini party. They quickly moved to the limo. Bruce got out of car, leaving the keys in the ignition and walked around to open the door for Ginger. She stepped out revealing a magnificent white lace dress with black satin belt accenting her small waistline. She wore black pumps, a small black handbag and black pearl jewelry. Her black hair was pulled up into a very tight, neat bun that revealed her long graceful neck. She was a stunning woman who would eventually turn every eye in the building. Bruce was even taken back by her stunning beauty under the spotlights at the entryway. He couldn’t believe he had not seen this beauty when they left their home just a few minutes earlier.
Bruce was on a mission that evening which even his Ginger was not privileged to know about. He was going to sit with some VIP’s of the largest and most diverse companies who also owned wine production facilities in, and sold wines from, Napa Valley. The single meeting agenda item was to discuss the potential for development of a considerable number of upscale, high valued residential home sites for international business executives who wanted “retreats” in Napa Valley. Bruce could hardly contain himself in anticipation of this business meeting. He knew if he could persuade them to use his firm, he would obtain the wealth and recognition he so desired.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
THE REZONING OF NAPA COUNTY
A Hypothetical Myth or could it Become a Reality?
When the idea of a Napa Valley Vintners Association (NVVA) was conceived back in the 1943/44 time-frame, it arouse from a meeting of four men: Louis M. Martini, Inglenook's John Daniel, Jr., Louis Stralla of the Napa Wine Co. and Charles Forni of the Napa Valley Co-op. These men soon added more colleagues to their ranks and the NVVA was formed: Elmer Salmina of Larkmead Cellars, Robert Mondavi then of C. Mondavi & Sons, Charles Beringer and Roy Raymond from Beringer, and Mrs. Georges de Latour of Beaulieu Vineyards.
Much has changed from that time including the recent renaming of the organization to simply "Napa Valley Vintners." But the much bigger picture is who now exercises the most influence on the activities of the association: Is it wineries owned by resident winegrowers or outsiders? It would be interesting to know what the only living founder -- Robert Mondavi -- must be thinking in regards to the composition and future of the association.
Here is what a meeting of the original NVV membership would look like if it were convened under today's owners occupying the seats of the original founders:
THE FIRST FOUR FOUNDER’S
1. The giant E. & J. Gallo from the Central Valley of California would fill Louis M. Martini’s seat. Gallo is the largest wine producer in the USA. (According to extraction from WBN Web site: “Wine Business Monthly has compiled its fourth annual (2006) ranking of the Top 30 wine companies by number of U.S. produced wine case sales. These companies represent more than 90 percent of the U.S. wine market.)
Gallo recently purchased its second NV winery: William Hill.
2. Relative newcomer, Francis Ford Coppola, the Hollywood movie mogul but a long time semi-Napa resident, would fill the John Daniel. Jr. Inglenook seat. Coppola recently renamed the site “Rubicon.“ but before that he used the name, “Niebaum-Coppola Estate.“ Coppola is the 18th largest wine producer in the USA.
Daniel originally sold the grounds to Heublein, Inc. of Connecticut, a very large firm who sold its wine interests to the United States subsidiary of Britain's Grand Metropolitan P.L.C.
The creator of the site was Gustave Niebaum who was one of the principals in the great Alaskan Commercial Company who were awarded exclusive rights to hunt for seal hides in Alaska after the USA purchased it from Russian. He along with six partners lived in San Francisco and became extremely wealthy before he built the Inglenook Estate
3. The seat occupied by Louis Stralla, Napa Wine Co. would be occupied by the Pelissa Family, long time winegrowers in Napa Valley. Napa Wine Co. also represents a collective of about 25 small wineries under one bonding facility.
Louis Stralla originally leased the old bankrupted Charles Krug winery before moving his operations to this Oakville Cross Road/ Hwy 29 location. The original site was once part of the facilities owned by Heublein when it produced jug Inglenook wines at the old site as well as building modern facilities.
The stories that follow Louis Stralla are, to say the least, titillating and down right scary! His brother was none other than Tony Cornero, also known as Tony Stralla and Admiral Cornero; Tony ran offshore gambling boats out of Long Beach. He, along with his brothers Frank and Louis, ran liquor during Prohibition to the developing area called “Las Vegas.” Because Tony got caught and was a felon, he used his brothers Frank and Louis to obtain liquor licenses for his Las Vegas hotel and casino. Tony started the Star Dust Hotel and Casino. Anyway, I’ll have a story involving the Stralla’s in a future book. By the way, Louis Stralla got himself elected Mayor of St. Helena, in the heart of Napa Valley wine country.
4. Charles Forni's Napa Valley Co-op seat would be filled by Hall Wines, owned by wealthy Kathryn and Craig Hall. They also relative newcomers to Napa and she is a former United States Ambassador to Austria.
The co-op sold almost all of its wine to E & J Gallo when the Co-op was in full operations during the 1940’s and into the 70‘s.
THE “FOUNDER” ADDITIONS
5. A representative from the rapidly expanding Constellation Company of Canandaigua, New York, would replace the Robert Mondavi’s seat -- he was then working out of the Charles Krug facilities with his father, Cesare, and brother, Peter. Constellation is 2nd largest wine producer in the USA. Constellation owns the Icon Estates portfolio of wines. It includes Franciscan Oakville Estate, Mount Veeder Winery, and Robert Mondavi Winery among its Napa County holdings.
6. The seat formerly occupied by Larkmead‘s Elmer Salmina would now be filled by the Frank Family. A relative newcomer to Napa, Rich Frank is a former Disney and Paramount Television executive.
Between Salmina, a very popular local resident of up-valley, and Frank Family, the longest previous operator was Hanns Kornell, another very likeable man, who produced top-notched sparkling wines, but ended up in bankruptcy. The Frank Family picked up the site out of bankruptcy.
7. The Beringer seats would have a representative from Foster's Group of Australia, that also owns St. Clement, Etude and Stags' Leap Cellars among its other Napa Valley holdings. Foster’s is the 5th largest wine producer in the USA.
8. Beaulieu/Mrs. Georges de Latour would be replaced by a representative of Diageo, Great Britain. Beside Beaulieu Diageo owns Sterling and Provenance wineries and it recently purchased the Chalone Group thereby adding Acacia and Jade Mountain to its Napa holdings. Diageo, although the largest in the world, ranks 8th largest as a wine producer in the USA.
The Beaulieu Estate grew out of Georges Latour purchases of farms and vineyards across from and adjacent to Inglenook. The property included the State of California’s first Supreme Court Chief Justice, Serranus Clinton Hastings, who initiated the Hasting Law School in San Francisco.
MEMBERSHIP IN THE NAPA VALLEY VINTNERS
In today’s world, the composition and infrastructure of the NVV is seriously different than when the founders started the organization. Napa Valley was respected as a fine wine growing area but did not enjoy the fame it knows today. Wineries were owned by families’ not large corporations with international headquarters. Now the NVV is not only a very active and powerful advocacy group but also a large money-generating machine. In order to be a member now, you really have pass an inspection and have the financial resources to pay out quite a bit of money and wine. The following is extracted from the website of the Napa Valley Vintners:
THE OTHER SIGNIFICANT NAPA VALLEY PLAYERS
As you can see, those with large volume operations dominate membership. Today there are far more than just the above members who are large foreign and USA corporations, and wealthy individual members of the association with the potential for exerting influence within and on the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) and county/city governmental leaders. The following is an additional representative list of what could be major players in the Napa County community:
1. The French (6)
-- Pernod Ricard owns Mumm Napa.
-- The Fourmeaux family owns Chateau Potelle
-- Domaine Carneros is owned by Tattinger.
-- Domaine Chandon, the 25th largest wine producer in the USA is owned by Moët Hennessey - Louis Vuitton
-- Christian Moueix is owner of Dominus
-- St. Supry owned by the Robert Skalli
2. The Swiss (3)
-- The Schmidheiny family owns Cuvaison. The two brothers are each listed by Forbes among the top 100 wealthiest men in the world collectively representing about $3-4 billion.
-- Donald Hess, the 22nd largest wine producer in the USA, heads up The Hess Collection, located at facilities formerly owned by The Christian Brothers.
-- Spring Mountain Vineyards, owned by businessman Jacob Safra, includes Spring Mountain winery -- once used for filming of 1980s prime time soap, "Falcon Crest,"-- Chateau Chevalier, La Perla winery, and Streblow wineries.
3. The Japanese (1)
Kirin Beer (Japanese is a partner in Raymond Vineyards and recently purchased Mercain Corp. (Japanese) which owns Markham Winery and La Jota winery and is involved in a joint venture on the ownership of Glass Mountain label.
4. The South American’s( 2)
-- Clos Pegase is owned by Jan Schram
-- Quintessa owned by Augutin Huneeus (Chile)
5. The English (1)
-- Sir Peter Michael of Peter Michael
6. The Australians (1)
--Voss owned by Robert Hill Smith
7. The Italians (1)
---Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars was recently sold to a patnersip of Marchese Piero Antinori, one of the creators of Atlas Peak, and UST Inc. (United States Tobacco), of Connecticut, through its subsidiary Stimson Lane/Ste Michelle, the 10th largest wine grower in the USA ,
8. . The USA:
-- Long-time winegrowers of Napa, the Trinchero family owns Trinchero Family, Sutter Home, Napa Cellars and Folie a Deux. The family is the 6th largest wine grower in the USA
-- Kendall-Jackson, the 9th largest wine grower in the USA owns Cardinale (formerly Pepi) and Freemark Abbey in Napa County.
-- UST Inc. (United States Tobacco), of Connecticut, through its subsidiary Stimson Lane/Ste Michelle, the 10th largest wine grower in the USA , owns Conn Creek and Villa Mt. Eden wineries. It also owns in joint partnership with Marchese Piero Antinori, in the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
-- Fortune Brands/Beam Wine Estate owns Atlas Peak and is the 11th largest wine grower in the USA
--The Peter Mondavi Family owned Charles Krug Estate, via its CK Mondavi label, is the 15th largest wine grower in the USA .
-- Rutherford Wine Company owns the Round Hill and Rutherford Ranch Vineyards labels and they are the 28th largest wine grower in the USA
-- The Terlato Group, (Chicago area) owns Chimney Rock, Rutherford Hills and Terlato Vineyards and is involved in a joint venture on the ownership of Glass Mountain label in Napa.
-- Bouchaine is owned by Gerret van S. Copeland DuPont , an heir to the Dupont fortune.
Some celebrities
-- Montagia: Joe Montana (Hall of Fame, SF 49’er pro football player) and Beringer winemaker Ed Sbragia make about 750 cases of this every year. The 2002 will be released in September.
-- Andretti Winery: Mario Andretti began this winery with a partner in 1996.
-- Bell Cellers owner in partnership with others by Alex Spanos, owner of the San Diego Chargers professional football team.
-- Montagia: Joe Montana (Hall of Fame, SF 49’er pro football player)
-- Silverado Vineyards -- Owned by Walt Disney’s daughter, Diane, and her husband, Ron, a former pro football player and Executive of Disney Studio’s.
The above list of foreign corporations, out of state USA companies, wealthy individuals and celebtities owning winegrowing businesses in Napa Valley is not complete but is provided to illustrate the potential for influences on the politics of future land zoning for residential, industrial and agricultural development of Napa Valley. We continue to update the list as we learn about each owner. Practically all of the above listed wineries are members of NVV.
A Hypothetical Myth or could it Become a Reality?
When the idea of a Napa Valley Vintners Association (NVVA) was conceived back in the 1943/44 time-frame, it arouse from a meeting of four men: Louis M. Martini, Inglenook's John Daniel, Jr., Louis Stralla of the Napa Wine Co. and Charles Forni of the Napa Valley Co-op. These men soon added more colleagues to their ranks and the NVVA was formed: Elmer Salmina of Larkmead Cellars, Robert Mondavi then of C. Mondavi & Sons, Charles Beringer and Roy Raymond from Beringer, and Mrs. Georges de Latour of Beaulieu Vineyards.
Much has changed from that time including the recent renaming of the organization to simply "Napa Valley Vintners." But the much bigger picture is who now exercises the most influence on the activities of the association: Is it wineries owned by resident winegrowers or outsiders? It would be interesting to know what the only living founder -- Robert Mondavi -- must be thinking in regards to the composition and future of the association.
Here is what a meeting of the original NVV membership would look like if it were convened under today's owners occupying the seats of the original founders:
THE FIRST FOUR FOUNDER’S
1. The giant E. & J. Gallo from the Central Valley of California would fill Louis M. Martini’s seat. Gallo is the largest wine producer in the USA. (According to extraction from WBN Web site: “Wine Business Monthly has compiled its fourth annual (2006) ranking of the Top 30 wine companies by number of U.S. produced wine case sales. These companies represent more than 90 percent of the U.S. wine market.)
“For more than seven decades, E. & J. Gallo has built its reputation as the world leader in the art and science of winemaking, wine grape growing, and marketing and distribution of wines worldwide. With state-of-the-art wineries located throughout California, supplied by vineyards in the state’s entire premier growing regions, E. & J. Gallo creates top-quality wines to suit every taste. “ (Extraction from Gallo website)
Gallo recently purchased its second NV winery: William Hill.
2. Relative newcomer, Francis Ford Coppola, the Hollywood movie mogul but a long time semi-Napa resident, would fill the John Daniel. Jr. Inglenook seat. Coppola recently renamed the site “Rubicon.“ but before that he used the name, “Niebaum-Coppola Estate.“ Coppola is the 18th largest wine producer in the USA.
Daniel originally sold the grounds to Heublein, Inc. of Connecticut, a very large firm who sold its wine interests to the United States subsidiary of Britain's Grand Metropolitan P.L.C.
The creator of the site was Gustave Niebaum who was one of the principals in the great Alaskan Commercial Company who were awarded exclusive rights to hunt for seal hides in Alaska after the USA purchased it from Russian. He along with six partners lived in San Francisco and became extremely wealthy before he built the Inglenook Estate
3. The seat occupied by Louis Stralla, Napa Wine Co. would be occupied by the Pelissa Family, long time winegrowers in Napa Valley. Napa Wine Co. also represents a collective of about 25 small wineries under one bonding facility.
Louis Stralla originally leased the old bankrupted Charles Krug winery before moving his operations to this Oakville Cross Road/ Hwy 29 location. The original site was once part of the facilities owned by Heublein when it produced jug Inglenook wines at the old site as well as building modern facilities.
The stories that follow Louis Stralla are, to say the least, titillating and down right scary! His brother was none other than Tony Cornero, also known as Tony Stralla and Admiral Cornero; Tony ran offshore gambling boats out of Long Beach. He, along with his brothers Frank and Louis, ran liquor during Prohibition to the developing area called “Las Vegas.” Because Tony got caught and was a felon, he used his brothers Frank and Louis to obtain liquor licenses for his Las Vegas hotel and casino. Tony started the Star Dust Hotel and Casino. Anyway, I’ll have a story involving the Stralla’s in a future book. By the way, Louis Stralla got himself elected Mayor of St. Helena, in the heart of Napa Valley wine country.
4. Charles Forni's Napa Valley Co-op seat would be filled by Hall Wines, owned by wealthy Kathryn and Craig Hall. They also relative newcomers to Napa and she is a former United States Ambassador to Austria.
The co-op sold almost all of its wine to E & J Gallo when the Co-op was in full operations during the 1940’s and into the 70‘s.
THE “FOUNDER” ADDITIONS
5. A representative from the rapidly expanding Constellation Company of Canandaigua, New York, would replace the Robert Mondavi’s seat -- he was then working out of the Charles Krug facilities with his father, Cesare, and brother, Peter. Constellation is 2nd largest wine producer in the USA. Constellation owns the Icon Estates portfolio of wines. It includes Franciscan Oakville Estate, Mount Veeder Winery, and Robert Mondavi Winery among its Napa County holdings.
"Founded in 1945 in Canandaigua, New York, Constellation Brands is the largest wine producing company by volume in the world. Following Constellation’s recent formation of a joint venture with Mexico’s Grupo Modelo (effective January 2007), we are the second largest U.S. beverage alcohol company, on a pro forma basis, based upon retail sales in the food and drug channels and our Mexican beer portfolio becomes the undisputed imported beer leader in the United States. Our North American spirits division portfolio of value and premium products also ranks among the top in its overall category. “ (Extracted from Constellation’s website)
6. The seat formerly occupied by Larkmead‘s Elmer Salmina would now be filled by the Frank Family. A relative newcomer to Napa, Rich Frank is a former Disney and Paramount Television executive.
Between Salmina, a very popular local resident of up-valley, and Frank Family, the longest previous operator was Hanns Kornell, another very likeable man, who produced top-notched sparkling wines, but ended up in bankruptcy. The Frank Family picked up the site out of bankruptcy.
7. The Beringer seats would have a representative from Foster's Group of Australia, that also owns St. Clement, Etude and Stags' Leap Cellars among its other Napa Valley holdings. Foster’s is the 5th largest wine producer in the USA.
“As the leading alcohol company in Australia and the Pacific, Foster's is the proud owner of the egion's favourite brands and the world's most famous Australian beer; Foster's Lager. Foster's Australian favourites include the nation's No.1 beer, Victoria Bitter, Australia's leading premium beer, Crown Lager, and the region's finest wine brands including Wolf Blass, Penfolds, Rosemount, Yellowglen and Lindemans……Foster's produces and markets an international portfolio of premium quality wines including Beringer, Lindemans, Penfolds, Rosemount Estate and Wolf Blass in the Americas……Foster's markets a range of the UK and Europe's favourite 'new world' wines, with Ireland and the Nordic countries representing key growth markets for our wine brands.” (Extracted from Foster’s website)
8. Beaulieu/Mrs. Georges de Latour would be replaced by a representative of Diageo, Great Britain. Beside Beaulieu Diageo owns Sterling and Provenance wineries and it recently purchased the Chalone Group thereby adding Acacia and Jade Mountain to its Napa holdings. Diageo, although the largest in the world, ranks 8th largest as a wine producer in the USA.
"Diageo was formed in 1997, following the merger of Guinness and GrandMet and is head-quartered in London. The word Diageo comes from the Latin for day (dia) and the Greek for world (geo). We take this to mean every day, everywhere, people celebrate with our brands….Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of alcohol beverage brands across spirits, wine and beer categories. These brands include: Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Baileys, J&B, Captain Morgan, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Crown Royal and Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.” (Extracted from Diageo’s website)
The Beaulieu Estate grew out of Georges Latour purchases of farms and vineyards across from and adjacent to Inglenook. The property included the State of California’s first Supreme Court Chief Justice, Serranus Clinton Hastings, who initiated the Hasting Law School in San Francisco.
MEMBERSHIP IN THE NAPA VALLEY VINTNERS
In today’s world, the composition and infrastructure of the NVV is seriously different than when the founders started the organization. Napa Valley was respected as a fine wine growing area but did not enjoy the fame it knows today. Wineries were owned by families’ not large corporations with international headquarters. Now the NVV is not only a very active and powerful advocacy group but also a large money-generating machine. In order to be a member now, you really have pass an inspection and have the financial resources to pay out quite a bit of money and wine. The following is extracted from the website of the Napa Valley Vintners:
“…General membership in the association is extended to any brand owner that produces and bottles, in Napa County, a Napa Valley Appellation table wine, dessert wine, sparkling wine or distillate of wine that is sold commercially (meaning the wine must be in general release a minimum of 6 months prior to application; at least 20 percent of the wine must be commercially sold; and gross sales must be at least $12,000)………..Each member shall participate in the association by, at minimum, annually donating one auction lot to either the Auction Napa Valley or Premiere Napa Valley, and paying monthly membership dues…….General membership dues are based on the sum of a Fixed Component + Variable Component. The Fixed Component is calculated from a winery's case production. The Variable Component is calculated from a winery's sales. Fixed Component Each winery member producing:less than 5,000 cases pays $1,200/year Fixed Component.between 5,000 to 9,999 cases pays $1,800/year Fixed Component. 10,000 cases and over pays $2,400/year Fixed Component.Variable Component The variable component is tied to sales. Sales include revenues from all wines bottled in Napa County under labels owned by the winery. Second labels are included, but bottling of private labels not owned by the member is not ncluded. Sales for sparkling wine are reduced by an increment of sparkling wine federal taxes over table wine sales, if taxes are included in the revenue. Each bonded winery pays a Variable Component calculated by multiplying sales x 0.00055 Example: $1 million in sales = $550.00. Overall Cap There is an overall cap of $39,600 per member winery per year…...Sustaining Members Sustaining Members pay $420.00/year.”
THE OTHER SIGNIFICANT NAPA VALLEY PLAYERS
As you can see, those with large volume operations dominate membership. Today there are far more than just the above members who are large foreign and USA corporations, and wealthy individual members of the association with the potential for exerting influence within and on the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) and county/city governmental leaders. The following is an additional representative list of what could be major players in the Napa County community:
1. The French (6)
-- Pernod Ricard owns Mumm Napa.
-- The Fourmeaux family owns Chateau Potelle
-- Domaine Carneros is owned by Tattinger.
-- Domaine Chandon, the 25th largest wine producer in the USA is owned by Moët Hennessey - Louis Vuitton
-- Christian Moueix is owner of Dominus
-- St. Supry owned by the Robert Skalli
2. The Swiss (3)
-- The Schmidheiny family owns Cuvaison. The two brothers are each listed by Forbes among the top 100 wealthiest men in the world collectively representing about $3-4 billion.
-- Donald Hess, the 22nd largest wine producer in the USA, heads up The Hess Collection, located at facilities formerly owned by The Christian Brothers.
-- Spring Mountain Vineyards, owned by businessman Jacob Safra, includes Spring Mountain winery -- once used for filming of 1980s prime time soap, "Falcon Crest,"-- Chateau Chevalier, La Perla winery, and Streblow wineries.
3. The Japanese (1)
Kirin Beer (Japanese is a partner in Raymond Vineyards and recently purchased Mercain Corp. (Japanese) which owns Markham Winery and La Jota winery and is involved in a joint venture on the ownership of Glass Mountain label.
4. The South American’s( 2)
-- Clos Pegase is owned by Jan Schram
-- Quintessa owned by Augutin Huneeus (Chile)
5. The English (1)
-- Sir Peter Michael of Peter Michael
6. The Australians (1)
--Voss owned by Robert Hill Smith
7. The Italians (1)
---Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars was recently sold to a patnersip of Marchese Piero Antinori, one of the creators of Atlas Peak, and UST Inc. (United States Tobacco), of Connecticut, through its subsidiary Stimson Lane/Ste Michelle, the 10th largest wine grower in the USA ,
8. . The USA:
-- Long-time winegrowers of Napa, the Trinchero family owns Trinchero Family, Sutter Home, Napa Cellars and Folie a Deux. The family is the 6th largest wine grower in the USA
-- Kendall-Jackson, the 9th largest wine grower in the USA owns Cardinale (formerly Pepi) and Freemark Abbey in Napa County.
-- UST Inc. (United States Tobacco), of Connecticut, through its subsidiary Stimson Lane/Ste Michelle, the 10th largest wine grower in the USA , owns Conn Creek and Villa Mt. Eden wineries. It also owns in joint partnership with Marchese Piero Antinori, in the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
-- Fortune Brands/Beam Wine Estate owns Atlas Peak and is the 11th largest wine grower in the USA
--The Peter Mondavi Family owned Charles Krug Estate, via its CK Mondavi label, is the 15th largest wine grower in the USA .
-- Rutherford Wine Company owns the Round Hill and Rutherford Ranch Vineyards labels and they are the 28th largest wine grower in the USA
-- The Terlato Group, (Chicago area) owns Chimney Rock, Rutherford Hills and Terlato Vineyards and is involved in a joint venture on the ownership of Glass Mountain label in Napa.
-- Bouchaine is owned by Gerret van S. Copeland DuPont , an heir to the Dupont fortune.
Some celebrities
-- Montagia: Joe Montana (Hall of Fame, SF 49’er pro football player) and Beringer winemaker Ed Sbragia make about 750 cases of this every year. The 2002 will be released in September.
-- Andretti Winery: Mario Andretti began this winery with a partner in 1996.
-- Bell Cellers owner in partnership with others by Alex Spanos, owner of the San Diego Chargers professional football team.
-- Montagia: Joe Montana (Hall of Fame, SF 49’er pro football player)
-- Silverado Vineyards -- Owned by Walt Disney’s daughter, Diane, and her husband, Ron, a former pro football player and Executive of Disney Studio’s.
The above list of foreign corporations, out of state USA companies, wealthy individuals and celebtities owning winegrowing businesses in Napa Valley is not complete but is provided to illustrate the potential for influences on the politics of future land zoning for residential, industrial and agricultural development of Napa Valley. We continue to update the list as we learn about each owner. Practically all of the above listed wineries are members of NVV.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Site Index/Map
Wine Country Marketing & Promotions (WCM&P)
Site Index/Map
Introduction
Owners & Board Members
Other topics of interest
About The Wine Country Club (TWCC)
About Our Web Site Listing Links Related to the American Wine Industry
About Our American Wine Industry Taster’s Choice awards, Hall of Fame Inductions and Foundation
About the Articles Written by Our Founder, John Olney
About the Antisubmarine Warfare Unpublished Novel, "The SOSUS Man," by John Olney
About the draft wine novel, “Entwined Vines,” by John Olney
About Our Own Wine-related Library
About Our Wine Label Poster-Maps
About our Parent Company, Wine Country Marketing & Promotions (WCM&P)
Site Index/Map
Introduction
Owners & Board Members
Other topics of interest
About The Wine Country Club (TWCC)
About Our Web Site Listing Links Related to the American Wine Industry
About Our American Wine Industry Taster’s Choice awards, Hall of Fame Inductions and Foundation
About the Articles Written by Our Founder, John Olney
About the Antisubmarine Warfare Unpublished Novel, "The SOSUS Man," by John Olney
About the draft wine novel, “Entwined Vines,” by John Olney
About Our Own Wine-related Library
About Our Wine Label Poster-Maps
About our Parent Company, Wine Country Marketing & Promotions (WCM&P)
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