US family-owned winemaker Riboli Family Wines has snapped up Doctors Vineyard, based in the Santa Lucia Highlands winegrowing region in Monterey, California.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The group acquired the Pinot Noir producer from the Hahn family. The deal includes Doctors Vineyard's 235-acre vineyard, first planted in 1991.
In a statement, the fourth-generation winemaker Anthony Riboli said: "We are excited to continue expanding in California, reaffirming our family’s commitment and dedication to maintaining high-quality standards and sustainability that define Riboli Family Wines.
"This investment builds on our commitment to producing wines of exceptional quality. Alongside the established Pinot Noir vines, we see so much potential in Doctors Vineyard. While we develop future plans, we are considering unique clones of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and alternative white wine varietals.”
The group added the purchase of "such a respected source for exceptional Pinot Noir is key" to its improvement as a business.
Riboli Family Wines has been a family-owned venture since 1917. The purchase of Doctors Vineyard now brings the number of vineyards it operates to ten. The group also owns the Stefano, Pretty Penny and Creston Highlands vineyards in Paso Robles, its namesake vineyards in Rutherford, Napa Valley, and Rancho Soledad in Monterey, among others.
Its wine brands include Maddalena, San Simeon, Chocolate Bar, and the namesake label Riboli Family. It also imports a number of international brands, including Nominé-Renard Champagne, New Zealand's The Champion Sauvignon Blanc and Riva De La Rosa Italian white wines.
Riboli Family Wines entered the market for RTDs earlier this year, with its launch of the Spritz Del Conte brand for the US market.
The Prosecco-based drink is blended with 20 botanicals and is produced in Italy.
It comes in an 8.5%-abv ‘classico’ version, with an RRP of $14.99 for 750ml, and a non-alcoholic version containing under 0.5%-abv.
Riboli Family Wines said at the time it planned to sell the drinks “nationally” in the US, including at Kroger, Target, Meijer and Walmart.
The San Antonio Wines producer said it was making a move into RTDs due to growing interest in the “low-abv category” for the NPD, noting: “More Americans are becoming mindful of their alcohol intake.”
