The acquisition by Foley Family Wines includes the historic 1920s chateau, the 6,000 square-foot visitors center, a 39,000 square-foot wine production facility, 79 planted acres of estate vineyards, on-site tasting salons, and extensive gardens. The winery’s legacy use permit will also be transferred to the new owners, allowing for 24 special events annually and an additional six large-scale events annually, including weddings. Foley Family Wines plans to restore the winery to its former glory, offering the best of Sonoma County wines.
“This is a rare opportunity to invest in a piece of Sonoma Valley history,” said Foley Family Wines Founder and CEO Bill Foley. “We’re looking forward to adding Chateau St. Jean’s remarkable line-up of single-vineyard wines and its award-winning blend Cinq Cépages to our luxury portfolio.”
Chateau St. Jean produces three tiers of wines, including a widely distributed California Tier, a Reserve Tier of single-vineyard and sub-appellation wines from Sonoma County, and the flagship Cinq Cépages.
“Currently the Chateau St. Jean wines are made offsite,” said Schiffer. “We’re looking closely at how best to optimize the production facilities at Chateau St. Jean and eventually bring that winemaking back home.”
Zepponi & Co., based in Santa Rosa, served as exclusive financial advisor to Treasury Wine Estates Americas Company. Terms weren’t disclosed.