Vintage Wine Estates said it acquired Owen Roe, with winery, vineyards and tasting room in Yakima, Wash., and another tasting room in Willamette Valley, Ore. Terms weren’t disclosed.
Founded in 1999 by David and Angelica O’Reilly, Owen Roe has achieved cult status as a fine wine producer in the Pacific Northwest with consistent 90+ point scores and numerous awards and accolades. The winery produces a range of white wines, Oregon Pinot Noir and Washington red wines under the marques Owen Roe and Sharecropper’s.
“David is known for his entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to quality at the highest level and expertise in sourcing from superior vineyards sites in the two essential winegrowing areas in the Pacific Northwest,” said Jeff Nicholson, COO of Vintage Wine Estates. “We look forward to his winemaking leadership as we continue to strengthen our presence in these regions.”
In addition to directing winemaking and operations for Owen Roe, O’Reilly will also assume the newly created position of Regional Winemaking Director for the Pacific Northwest. This includes Willamette Valley’s Firesteed Winery, with Bob Cabral as consulting winemaker, and Washington’s Tamarack and Buried Canes wines, helmed by longtime “Maker of the Wine” Danny Gordon.
“Sense of place is critical to our philosophy of winemaking excellence,” said Nicholson. “With David taking the lead in the region, we are confident our Pacific Northwest wine projects are in expert hands.”
O’Reilly expressed similar thoughts.
“We anticipate this will greatly enhance logistic and operational support to grow Owen Roe into the future. I am also looking forward to making my contribution to the entire Pacific Northwest portfolio,” commented O’Reilly.