E&J Gallo has snapped up more wine assets in California, acquiring Napa-based Rombauer Vineyards.
The transaction, struck for an undisclosed sum, comes two months after Gallo bought the Hahn Family Wines portfolio, which is centred on California’s Central Coast.
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Under the terms of the deal, Gallo has acquired assets that include the Rombauer Vineyards brand and three production facilities. Gallo will also take on 700 acres of vineyards that span areas including Carneros, St. Helena and Sonoma Valley.
Rombauer Vineyards markets a range of wine that includes Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc. Just Drinks has asked Gallo for more information on the types of outlets that sell Rombauer Vineyards’ wines and for the company’s geographic presence.
In a statement, Joseph Gallo, the general manager of Gallo’s “luxury wine group”, said: “The Rombauer brand and family have built a reputation around quality and integrity. It’s an iconic brand rooted in distinctive and respected wines.”
Husband and wife Koerner and Joan Rombauer set up Rombauer Vineyards in 1980. Joan died in 2002. Koerner passed away in 2018.
Son K.R. Rombauer, who owns the business, said the company was “thrilled that we were able to find a dedicated, multi-generational family who share in our vision and passion of providing exceptional wines with a long-term focus on quality and reinforcing community”.
Gallo announced its acquisition of the Hahn Family Wines portfolio in June, again for an undisclosed sum. The deal included the Smith & Hook, Hahn and Hahn SLH brands but not the Hahn family’s vineyard assets.
Earlier in June, Gallo acquired US canned wine and spritzer brand Bev. The transaction came two years after the company gained exclusive US distribution rights for the start-up.
Another deal in canned cocktails came in May when Gallo snapped up US-based Fishers Island Lemonade.
The move for Rombauer Vineyards is one of a number of recent acquisitions in California’s wine industry in recent months.
Earlier this month, US-based Wentworth Vineyards acquired its Californian peer Abel Vineyard for an undisclosed sum.
Elsewhere, wine entrepreneur Brion Wise bought Napa Valley’s Montagna estate.
Meanwhile, Chanel-owned St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery acquired vineyard assets from California’s Long Meadow Ranch (LMR) Wine Estates.
In June, Shafer Vineyards purchased a ten-acre vineyard in the Atlas Peak region of Napa Valley for an undisclosed sum earlier this year. Shafer Vineyards was bought by the South Korean luxury brand group Shinsegae Property in 2022.
