MODESTO, Calif., March 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- E. & J. Gallo
Winery (Gallo) and J Vineyards & Winery announced today that
Gallo has agreed to purchase the critically-acclaimed sparkling
wine producer. Founded in 1986 by Judy Jordan, J Vineyards & Winery is located
in Sonoma County's Russian
River Valley and produces a wide
range of prized sparkling wines, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
According to Roger Nabedian,
Senior Vice President and General Manager of Gallo's Premium Wine
Division, "We are very excited to add the J Vineyards & Winery
brands to our premium portfolio of wines. The brand's contemporary
elegance has a unique position in the marketplace." He added, "J
Vineyards & Winery is well known for their award-winning
sparkling wines and we look forward to carrying on the winery's
reputation of making elegant, luxurious wines."
The acquisition, which includes the Healdsburg winery and more than 300 acres
spread over nine vineyards within the Sonoma Coast and Russian
River Valley AVAs, expands Gallo's presence and properties in
California's prestigious North
Coast wine country. Gallo already owns nine wineries
strategically located in wine regions throughout California and Washington.
"Over the last 30 years, I have created and built J Vineyards
& Winery from a small sparkling wine house to an iconic luxury
brand producing not only sparkling wines but also award-winning
Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris," said founder Judy Jordan. She added, "I am proud to
announce today that I have found the perfect fit to take this
beautiful company to even greater heights. E. & J. Gallo
is also privately owned and shares similar core values as both
companies are dedicated to a balance of quality, community, and
financial sustainability. I look forward to my new chapter of
building a mentorship platform as I honor and salute the
outstanding new stewards of J Vineyards & Winery."
Demeter Group, a San Francisco-based investment bank for
beverage alcohol companies, acted as J Vineyards & Winery's
exclusive financial advisor on the transaction. Terms of the
deal were not disclosed. The sale is scheduled to close this
Friday, March 27.
About E. & J. Gallo Winery
Established in 1933
in Modesto, California, by
Ernest and Julio Gallo, E. & J.
Gallo Winery has become the world's largest winery and the foremost
winery in the art of grape growing, winemaking, distribution and
marketing of wines. With nine wineries strategically located in
wine regions in both California
and Washington and access to
grapes from vineyards in all of the premier grape-growing areas of
both states, Gallo produces wines in every category, to suit every
taste. Gallo imports wine and spirits from nine different countries
around the world. Some of the brands in Gallo's
wine portfolio include Gallo Family Vineyards, Barefoot Cellars,
Apothic, Louis M. Martini, MacMurray
Estate Vineyards, Bridlewood, Mirassou Winery, Frei Brothers
Reserve, William Hill Estate, Edna Valley
Vineyard, Columbia Winery, Martín Códax, Brancaia,
LaMarca and Ecco Domani. The
Winery is also expanding its portfolio with distilled spirits and
has added New Amsterdam Gin, New Amsterdam Vodka, Familia Camarena Tequila and Shellback Rum.
About J Vineyards & Winery
J Vineyards &
Winery is located at 11447 Old Redwood Highway south of
Healdsburg. The winery
focuses on Brut and Brut Rosé sparkling wines, as well as Pinot
Noir and Pinot Gris estate varietal wines, produced from grapes
farmed primarily within Sonoma
County's Russian River Valley
appellation. Founded by Judy Jordan
in 1986, J Vineyards & Winery is Certified Sustainable through
the California Sustainable Winegrowers Alliance.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150324/194191LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/e--j-gallo-announces-acquisition-of-j-vineyards--winery-300055386.html
SOURCE E. & J. Gallo Winery