Plans New Home for Bella Union Winery
Oakville, CA, November 2, 2021 – Napa Valley luxury wine producer Far Niente Family of Wineries and Vineyards (FNFWV) today announced the acquisition of the winery in Rutherford, CA which formerly housed Provenance Vineyards. FNFWV intends to repurpose the hospitality and production areas as a home for its Bella Union Napa Valley Cabernet label, with a projected opening in early 2023.
“We have been searching for a home for Bella Union that will enable us to provide our wines and experiences to consumers and the trade and more fully tell the story of Bella Union, which we introduced with the 2012 vintage from our vineyard holdings in Rutherford. We are thrilled with the acquisition of this site for its exceptional visibility and access in Rutherford along Highway 29, and the location next to DeCarle Vineyard, one of our primary sources for the Bella Union Napa Valley Cabernet blend,” said Steve Spadarotto, CEO of FNFWV.
Bella Union specializes in the art of blending Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Initially sourced exclusively from a 25-acre vineyard along Bella Oaks Lane, Bella Union remains rooted in Rutherford, but the Cabernet blend has evolved to include complementary vineyards from Calistoga, Oak Knoll and Yountville.
“My aim when crafting our Bella Union Napa Valley Cabernet is to weave together the personalities of each vineyard in the blend to produce the most harmonious wine,” said Winemaker Brooke Price, who served as assistant winemaker at Nickel & Nickel prior to taking the helm at Bella Union. The winery’s first harvest in the new facility will commence in 2022.
The Provenance Vineyards brand and inventory was purchased by Thomas Allen Wine Estates of Lodi, CA, and joins its portfolio with Hook Or Crook Cellars.
Zepponi & Company served as the exclusive financial advisor to Treasury Wine Estates Americas Company. Farella, Braun + Martel advised FNFWV on the transaction.
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.
