Santa Rosa, Calif., (May 31, 2023) – Foley Family Wines, a family-owned wine company founded in 1996, announced the appointment of Mari Wells Coyle as winemaker for southern Sonoma. Coyle will craft the wines for Chateau St. Jean Winery and Sebastiani Winery. She will oversee winemaking for the core wines at both wineries in addition to developing new offerings for wine club and Foley Food & Wine Society members.
Chateau St. Jean was established in 1973 and acquired by Foley Family Wines in 2021. Located in the Valley of the Moon near Kenwood, Chateau St. Jean is known for its single-vineyard wines, especially Chardonnay, as well as its award-winning Cinq Cépages Bordeaux-style red blend. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the 250-acre estate, including the chateau and surrounding gardens, are open for tasting experiences, picnics, events, and weddings. The annual Summer Fête and 50th Anniversary Celebration will take place on July 8, 2023.
Sebastiani was founded in Sonoma in 1904 and purchased by Foley Family Wines in 2008. Sebastiani produces award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and other varietals all from Sonoma County AVAs. The historic tasting room is in Sonoma and open to the public for winery experiences, private events, and weddings.
Coyle joins Foley Family Wines with 25 years of winemaking experience, most recently at ONEHOPE Winery in Napa Valley where she was Executive Winemaker & EVP Hope Management since 2017. There she led a 15-person team and managed the partner wineries to achieve acclaimed wines in its luxury portfolio. “I am honored to join the Foley Family Wines team and focus on these two special Sonoma wineries,” said Coyle. “There is so much history and so much opportunity with these iconic brands, I’m excited for the upcoming vintage to begin.”
Foley Family Wines Second Generation Vintner, Courtney Foley, noted, “Mari is a welcome addition to our talented team of winemakers at Foley Family Wines. Her dedication on Chateau St. Jean and Sebastiani will help us take these amazing properties into future, as our portfolio of fine wine continues to grow.”
Foley Family Wines’ luxury wine portfolio of iconic properties also includes Chalk Hill Estates, Ferrari-Carano, Lancaster Estate, Merus Estate, Silverado Vineyards, and more than 16 other wineries in top wine growing regions of Washington, Oregon, and California.
Coyle will report to Sarah Quider, Foley Family Wines Senior Vice President, Winemaking, and will be based at Chateau St. Jean in Kenwood.
About Foley Family Wines
Established by Bill Foley in 1996, Foley Family Wines is a portfolio of highly acclaimed wines from some of the world’s greatest vineyards. The company owns more than two dozen wineries across the globe, each with its own distinct wine style, legacy, and approach to hospitality. In addition, the Foley Food & Wine Society offers members a luxury lifestyle community that celebrates culinary experiences, entertainment, and travel in the United States, New Zealand, France, and Argentina.
