Andretti Winery

Last updated

Andretti Winery
Logo andretti.gif
LocationNapa, California, USA
Appellation Napa Valley AVA
Founded1996
First  vintage 1996
Key people Mario Andretti, Founder; Joe Antonini Founder and CEO
Parent companyAndretti Wine Group
Cases/yr42,000 (2007)
Known forCabernet Sauvignon Andretti Reserve
Varietals Cabernet Sauvignon , Syrah , Sauvignon blanc , Merlot , Chardonnay , Sangiovese , Pinot grigio , Pinot noir
Other productsPort, Sparkling Wine, Memorabilia
Distributioninternational distribution, wine club, on-site sales
Tasting by appointment only open to public
Website http://www.andrettiwinery.com/

Andretti Winery is a boutique winery in the Oak Knoll District portion of Napa, California.

Contents

History

Andretti Winery Andretti winery.jpg
Andretti Winery

Begun as a "hobby" in 1996, the winery grew steadily. Mario Andretti's interest in the wine business arose from a commemorative bottling of wine he marketed to celebrate his retirement from auto racing in 1994. [1] Two years later Andretti and longtime friend Joe Antonini, former CEO of Kmart (which had sponsored Andretti's racing team) purchased a 53-acre (210,000 m2) vineyard and winery in the far north part of Napa, California, where they built a Tuscan-themed winery, tasting room, and guesthouse. [1] The property was under development as a winery at the time, with wine under production by the former owners. [2]

In 2001 the company conducted a financial transaction in which it sold the 53 acres (21 ha) to a Napa farming group. The winery then leased back the tasting room and events center. The company has no ownership stake in the nearby vineyards.[ citation needed ]

The winery is operated by a public company, Andretti Wine Group, that the founders formed in a "reverse public shell merger" in 1995. It raised $3 million via a public offering in 1998, however it is no longer publicly traded. [3]

In 2021, the winery on Big Ranch Road closed and announced plans to open at a different location. [4]

Wines

Winemaker Bob Pepi, co-founder with his father of Robert Pepi Winery (now Pepi Winery), and owner of the "Eponymous" winery, [5] has been winemaker since the winery opened in 1996. [6] The winery produces a wide variety of "super-premium" category wines from grapes grown on-site and sourced from various locations in California. It also resells a small quantity of wine imported from Italy. [1]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "So, What Were America's Hottest Small Brands in 2005?". Indian Wine Academy. February 15, 2006. Archived from the original on October 24, 2006.
  2. A.D. Amorosi (May 9, 2002). "Mario Andretti". Philadelphia City Paper. Archived from the original on October 12, 2010.
  3. Appel, Ted (January 28, 1998). "Andretti Winery Looking to Stocks for Cash to Grow". Press Democrat. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012.
  4. "Andretti Winery Closing Winery on Big Ranch Rd in Napa". www.winebusiness.com. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  5. Tasker, Fred (February 1, 2006). "No-name Eponymous label has a big name behind it". Post Bulletin.com.
  6. "After 62 Harvests At The Family Winery, Bob Pepi Is Now A Consultant To Many Wineries". South Florida Reporter. July 11, 2021. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022.