Andretti Winery

Andretti Winery
Location Napa, California, USA
Appellation Napa Valley AVA
Founded 1996
First vintage 1996
Key people Mario Andretti, Founder; Joe E. Antonioni, Founder and CEO
Parent company Andretti Wine Group
Cases/yr 42,000 (2007)
Known for Cabernet Sauvignon Andretti Reserve
Varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sauvignon blanc, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Pinot grigio, Pinot noir
Other products Port, Sparkling Wine, Memorabilia
Distribution international 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.

History

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.

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]

Wines

Winemaker Bob Pepi, co-founder with his father of Robert Pepi Winery (now Pepi Winery), and owner of the "Eponymous" winery,[4] has been winemaker since the winery opened in 1996.[5] 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

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Hottest Small Brands of 2005". Wine Business Monthly. 2006-02-15.
  2. ↑ A.D. Amorosi (2002-05-09). "Mario Andretti". Philadelphia City Paper.
  3. ↑ Ted Appel (1998-01-20). "Andretti Winery Looking to Stocks for Cash to Grow". Press Democrat.
  4. ↑ Fred Tasker (2006-01-23). "No-name Eponymous label has a big name behind it". Miami Herald.
  5. ↑ "Bob Pepi". Faces of Napa.

External links

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