Duckhorn Portfolio has acquired 20 hectares (50 acres) of Napa Valley vineyards. The new holdings are made up of 16ha of the Stanly Ranch vineyard in Los Carneros and the 4ha Red Wing vineyard in St Helena.
“As our portfolio has evolved to include ten renowned luxury wineries, our commitment to having a robust estate vineyard program continues to be central to ensuring the exceptional quality of our wines,” said Alex Ryan, CEO and president of The Duckhorn Portfolio.
At Stanly Ranch, Duckhorn’s new vineyards are made up of two 8ha plots, sitting adjacent to its Migration winery. Although the vineyards date back to the late 1800s, the two parcels were planted in 2001 with five clones of Pinot Noir and three clones of Chardonnay.
“Featuring Haire clay loam soils and a cool climate influenced by the site’s proximity to San Pablo Bay, The Duckhorn Portfolio’s Stanly Ranch vineyards are ideal for Burgundian varietals,” said the group. It plans to use its new vines for Migration’s cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.
In regard to the St Helena vineyard, Duckhorn said it has sourced Sauvignon Blanc from the Red Wing for more than 15 years. The plot is currently planted with Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Merlot, but the Merlot blocks will be replanted with Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon to support the growing demand for these two white varieties under its Duckhorn range. This wine will also benefit from grapes sourced from the next-door Alton Family Vineyard, after Duckhorn said it has signed a long-term lease deal.
Duckhorn will rename Red Wing the Wolfe Vineyard after the property’s previous owners. It also plans to rename the Stanly Ranch vineyards.
Financial details of the deals were not disclosed.
Duckhorn Portfolio said its estate vineyard program now includes nearly 121 hectares (298 acres) in Napa Valley.
It said it also has 202 hectares (500 acres) in other north coast California appellations, plus 33 hectares (82 acres) in the Central Coast’s Mt. Harlan appellation and eight hectares (20 acres) at the Longwinds Vineyard on Red Mountain in Washington State.
For more information, head over to Duckhorn Portfolio’s official website.