Ron Loutherback told Wine Industry Insight on Tuesday that he and co-owner Marjorie Loutherback have sold part of The Wine Club to a new partner. “We’ve taken on a new partner,” Loutherback said. “But Marjorie and I are still with the business. We’re not going anywhere.” He said he would not be revealing the new […]
Copia Status Hearing, Creditors Meeting Set
December 23, 2008
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Alan Jaroslovsky has scheduled a status conference in the Copia Chapter 11 proceedings for January 9, 2009. The hearing will be held at the court at 99 South E St. in Santa Rosa. In addition, Judge Jaroslovsky extended Copia’s deadline for filing its financial statements until January 5. The original deadline had […]
Sebastiani/Foley Acquisition Update
December 22, 2008
The CIA has nothing on Sebastiani when it comes to keeping confidential information secret. However, Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery did offer a few more details in a news release today which WII’s Saturday article did not contain. According to the release, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC acted as exclusive financial adviser and Sheppard, Mullin, Richter […]
Real Estate And Credit Crisis Catches Up With Wine Industry – Part 1
Vineyard and winery sales data show that the real estate meltdown began to hit the wine industry around the first of August this year. In addition, five real estate brokers and finance experts confirmed that the downturn has made deals harder to close, and is likely to reach crisis proportions for the most highly leveraged […]
Sebastiani Winery Sold to Foley Wine Group
December 20, 2008
Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery has been sold to Santa Barbara County-based Foley Wine Group. The pending sale was announced Friday night by Richard A. Cuneo, chairman of the Sebastiani board. The transaction comes amid the beginnings of a sag in real-estate prices as effects of the global recession begin to depress winery and vineyard values. […]
Gallo’s Proposed Boundaries For Expanded Russian River Valley AVA Violate Federal Regulations
December 18, 2008
E&J Gallo’s proposed boundaries for an expanded Russian River Valley AVA violate federal regulations, according to a Wine Industry Insight investigation based on TTB documents, on-site topological examinations, Google Street Views, U.S. Geological Survey maps and numerous other documents and sources. Regulations issued by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) require petitioners […]
TTB’s Appellation System Dysfunctional, Outdated – Designed for Insiders
December 16, 2008
Note: Links to a full-scale and detailed map and a .pdf of the entire Gallo proposal are below. “I note, and object to the fact that the application of the petitioner [E&J Gallo] is not publicly available for review and comment. Although certain information is quoted in the [TTB] Notice [#90 to expand the Russian […]
Gallo’s Two Rock Vineyard – Lack of Transparency Questions Legitimacy of Process
December 15, 2008
Looking at the TTB’s process for expanding the Russian River Valley AVA shows a lack of transparency, bureaucratic disorganization, fractured filings and missing information. The chaotic and obscure character of the process makes it more probable that the TTB’s decision will be made on the basis of spin, hyperbole, lobbying and hearsay rather than on […]
Copia Headed For Liquidation
December 12, 2008
As WII reported on Tuesday, Copia’s board is looking for an orderly wind-down, is headed for liquidation, and is unlikely ever to open again. “It’s over,” one board member told Wine Industry Insight Friday morning. “We’ve met; we’ve talked; we’ve come up with no options other than an orderly end. Copia previously locked its doors, […]
Grower Says Russan River AVA Expansion Could Increase Gallo Revenues $3 million Per Year
December 11, 2008
Wine grape grower Paul Bialla of Windsor asserted that E&J Gallo stands to reap as much as $3 million per year if the expansion of the Russian River Valley AVA is approved. In his comment filed with the TTB opposing the expansion, (full text here) he asserted that: “There is no question but that the […]