E. & J. Gallo Winery (Gallo) announced today the intention to purchase
Courtside Cellars in San Miguel, California.
The twelve-year-old winery will
support the company’s continued growth in California’s Central Coast. The
purchase includes 34 acres of land and a winery capable of crushing 60,000 tons
of grapes.
According to Roger Nabedian, Senior Vice President and General Manager of
Gallo’s Premium Wine Division, “We’ve been expanding our presence in the Central
Coast over the past few years and consider the region to be a key part of our
premium wine strategy moving forward. We are excited to have this highly capable
winery to support our Bridlewood and Edna Valley Vineyards businesses.”
Earlier this year, Gallo purchased more than 300 acres of vineyards in
Monterey County. Last year, the company purchased Edna Valley Vineyards which
produces one of the best-selling Chardonnay brands in the U.S. In 2004, Gallo
purchased Bridlewood Estate Winery located in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa
Barbara County.
Bob Schiebelhut, of Courtside Cellars, said, “We will be keeping our San Luis
Obispo Facility where we will focus our efforts on building our Tolosa Winery
brand into one of the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay estates, as well as
continue to offer custom wine services.”
San Francisco based Demeter Group was the exclusive financial advisor on the
deal which is expected to close next week. The purchase price was not
disclosed.
About E. & J. Gallo Winery
Established in 1933 in Modesto, California, by Ernest and Julio Gallo, E.
& J. Gallo Winery has become the world's largest winery and the foremost
winery in the art of grape growing, winemaking, distribution and marketing of
wines. With seven wineries strategically located in California’s wine regions
and access to grapes from vineyards in all of the premier grape-growing areas of
the state, Gallo produces wines in every category, to suit every taste. Gallo
imports wines from eight of the major wine growing countries in the world. Some
of the brands in Gallo’s wine portfolio include Gallo Family Vineyards, Barefoot
Cellars, Louis M. Martini, MacMurray Ranch, Bridlewood, Mirassou Vineyards, Frei
Brothers, DaVinci, Martin Codax, Don Miguel Gascon, Ecco Domani, McWilliam’s
Hanwood Estate, and William Hill Estate. Recently, the Winery has expanded its
portfolio to include distilled spirits with the introduction of New Amsterdam
Gin and Familia Camarena Tequila.
source : winebusiness.com
