US: West Coast Wine Partners buys California brands

By Andy Morton | 24 August 2012

California's West Coast Wine Partners has acquired local brands Valley of the Moon and Lake Sonoma Winery.

The deal includes the Glen Ellen-based Valley of the Moon 60-acre estate, its wine brands and inventory and the Lake Sonoma inventory. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Valley of the Moon was first planted in 1863 and is known for its Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Lake Sonoma was established in 1977 and focuses on appellation-driven wines including Dry Creek Zinfandel and Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.

West Coast Wine Partners bought both brands from F Korbel & Bros.

Scott McLeod, formerly of Hollywood director Francis Ford Coppola’s Rubicon Estate, will be consulting winemaker at Valley of the Moon and will set a new direction for the wines, West Coast said.

In June, Jackson Family Wines bought Sonoma Coast winery Ramal West Vineyard for an undisclosed sum.

Sectors: Mergers & acquisitions, Wine