Oakville, CA, July 21, 2021 – Renowned Napa Valley winery Far Niente today announces its acquisition of a 133-acre vineyard in the Carneros AVA of Napa Valley. Formerly known as the Gran Val vineyard, 60 acres are currently under vine and preparations are underway to plant an additional 73 acres in spring 2022. The vineyard will produce grapes to complement Far Niente’s iconic Napa Valley Chardonnay and provide fruit for its sister wineries including Nickel & Nickel, Bella Union and Post & Beam. The purchase reinforces the winery’s strategic vision of producing world class wines from top estate vineyards in the Napa Valley.
“This remarkable vineyard supports our long-term commitment to producing some of the finest wines in the Napa Valley from truly exceptional estate vineyards that we nurture through sustainable practices, tried and true farming techniques, and more than four decades of experience,” said Far Niente’s Chief Executive Officer Steve Spadarotto.
Formerly a cattle ranch, the vineyard was established in 1980 along the rolling hills on the eastern side of Carneros, southwest of the city of Napa. The site is currently planted to Chardonnay and Merlot. The parcel is primed for additional plantings of Chardonnay, with the rockiest and warmest section of the vineyard ideally suited for growing Bordeaux varieties. The new vineyard will allow the winery to continue to set a benchmark for quality and luxury in California.
“We are dedicated to growing the highest quality grapes possible and this vineyard will make an excellent addition to our existing estate program,” noted John McCarthy, Director of Vineyard Operations at Far Niente. John, who joined the winery in 2021, will manage the vineyard under the direction of Andrew Delos, Vice President of Winemaking. “This acquisition allows us to fully control all aspects of the farming process and to ultimately produce wines with the depth, length, elegance and complexity that we are known for,” said Andrew.
Vineyard ownership is one of the keys to Far Niente’s philosophy of exceptional winemaking. Established in 1885, Far Niente began its modern period in 1979 when it produced the inaugural vintage of its iconic Napa Valley Chardonnay, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year with the 2019 vintage release.
About Far Niente Family of Wineries and Vineyards
Far Niente was established in Oakville, CA in 1885 and prospered until the onset of Prohibition in 1919, when the winery ceased operation and the estate was abandoned. Sixty years later, in 1979, the old stone shell of a winery underwent a three-year renovation, which restored the building to its original, 19th century grandeur. During restoration, the name “Far Niente,” which romantically translated means “without a care,” was found carved in stone on the front of the building.
Far Niente helped create the high-end Napa Valley wine market and has served as the benchmark wine estate for more than three decades. Dolce, the only North American winery devoted to a single late-harvest, botrytized Napa Valley wine was introduced in 1989. Nickel & Nickel, launched in 1997, is focused on producing single-vineyard, 100 percent varietal Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. EnRoute, established in 2007 in the Russian River Valley, is dedicated to the appellation’s Pinot Noir. Bella Union, devoted to Napa Valley Cabernet and located along Bella Oaks Lane in Rutherford, introduced its first wine with the 2012 vintage. Most recently, Post & Beam launched in 2020 with classic expressions of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Together, the wineries comprise the Far Niente Family of Wineries & Vineyards.
