Appointment Culminates Historic Winery’s Investments into Napa Cabernet & the Region’s Future
Rutherford, CA, February 24, 2022 – Sequoia Grove Winery, one of Napa Valley’s premier producers of Cabernet Sauvignon, announces Jesse Fox as winemaker to propel the winery’s long-term vision and commitment to producing best-in-class wines expressive of Napa Valley’s terroir.
“Sequoia Grove is an historic, benchmark Napa Valley winery, which bestows on us a responsibility to simultaneously respect our past and build a promising future,” says Rick Bonitati, president of Sequoia Grove, which is comprised of 97 acres across three estate vineyards. “The appointment of Jesse Fox to winemaker is the culmination of a six-year strategy of thoughtful, significant investments and measures to ensure our future lives up to the pioneering vision that the winery was founded on in 1979. All the pieces are in place for Jesse to hit the ground running.”
Since 2016, Sequoia Grove has invested $25 million in all facets of the winery, hospitality areas, vineyard acquisitions and replanting nearly 80 percent of its estate properties. Investments include the recent purchase of the 21-acre State Lane Vineyard in the Yountville AVA, a new cutting-edge winemaking facility, new buildings inspired by the 110-year-old tasting barn, private spaces for events, and the development of a visionary culinary program overseen by Executive Chef Britny Maureze. In addition, Sequoia Grove supports Save The Redwoods League, whose mission is to preserve the habitat for old and new-growth redwoods and giant sequoias, reinforcing the winery’s commitment to the environment and the iconic trees that tower above its Rutherford estate.
“Achieving balance is the guiding principle in my winemaking,” says Fox, an 18-year veteran of the wine industry, who most recently served as winemaker at Amici Cellars in Napa Valley. “It is a privilege to be a part of this historic producer’s future, and to join a team that believes in creating wines that welcome guests into the Napa Valley experience, introducing them to the diverse expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon.”
Fox, 43, began his winemaking career in the cellars of Harlan Estates’ The Napa Valley Reserve and Promontory; he also served as the assistant winemaker at Ram’s Gate in Sonoma-Carneros. Before starting his wine career, which has taken him to the Loire Valley, Argentina and New Zealand, Fox studied at Le Cordon Bleu and Cornell University, and worked as a chef for Thomas Keller at The French Laundry. Fox’s professional kitchen experience makes him uniquely suited to reinforce the Sequoia Grove philosophy built around tradition-defying culinary pairings that showcase Cabernet Sauvignon’s nuances.
Together with Bonitati and the talented team, Fox’s vision for the future of Sequoia Grove is to herald its place in Napa’s history, while producing wines that are balanced both in the glass and with the environment, and presented in a setting that demonstrates its commitment to nature, while reminding guests that wine, food, and friends are the perfect blend.
Sequoia Grove worked with wine industry executive search firm The Cypress Group to fill the role.
For more information, visit Sequoia Grove Winery’s website at www.sequoiagrove.com, or via Facebook @SequoiaGroveWines and Instagram @sequoiagrove.
About Sequoia Grove
Established in 1979, Sequoia Grove Winery is obsessed with the details that go into crafting our Napa Valley wines and single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons. Our commitment to quality starts in the vineyard; we grow the very best grapes in the finest terroir to form the foundation of our wines. Quality is intrinsic to everything we do, from winemaking to our gracious hospitality; it’s ingrained in our culture and the vanguard of our philosophy. At Sequoia Grove, we’ve been carving our own path for decades while never losing sight of who we are: rooted in history, guided by integrity, resolute in our values, and committed to the future. Visit us online: https://www.sequoiagrove.com.
About Kobrand Corporation
Founded in 1944, Kobrand Corporation remains one of the few family-owned wine and spirits companies in the United States. Kobrand’s portfolio of fine wine and spirits was meticulously selected according to a single, unerring principle: quality. This continued focus has made the Kobrand name synonymous with wines and spirits of the highest caliber for over 75 years. Kobrand is the sales and marketing representative of Sequoia Grove winery. In addition, Kobrand is the exclusive agent for an outstanding selection of fine wines, spirits and sakes from key regions around the world. For more information, about Kobrand and our portfolio visit http://www.kobrandwineandspirits.com.
