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OCTOBER NEWS Clos Pegase is known for its distinct architecture and modern art work; the colorful sculpture Faribolous by Jean Dubuffet is visible at far right. Vintage Wine Estates Buys Clos Pegase Famed architectural property marks a deviation from previous purchases S anta Rosa, Calif.—Vintage Wine Estates announced Aug. 21 its purchase of Clos Pegase Winery from Jan Shrem, who celebrated his 83rd birthday in July. Vintage is a collection of wine brands owned by Pat Roney and Leslie Rudd, and Clos Pegase is one of Napa Valley's iconic wineries, famous for its architecture and art collection as much as its estate wines. Vintage bought the winery and property including vineyards in Calistoga as well as a lease on Carneros AVA vineyards that total 450 acres. Included is a 40-acre parcel across Dunaweal Lane from the winery that is now planted in vineyards, but which Roney admits would be a great site for a new Girard Winery. The acquisition, which is being financed by Bank of the West, is a big departure for Vintage. Other than Girard, most of its acquisitions had been troubled or secondary properties, including bankrupt Cosentino Winery in Yountville, Calif., pioneering direct-to-consumer Windsor Vineyards, Sonoma Coast Vineyards and the Cartlidge & Browne Winery brand. Vintage also bought the former McDowell Valley Vineyards & Cellars in Hopland, Calif., from Weibel Winery and upgraded the facility to make part of its portfolio of wines including a brand called winesandvines.com Ray's Station after a pioneering local vintner. Learn more: Search keywords Roney admits Clos Pegase didn't seem to fit "Clos Pegase." his firm's model of mostly low-asset acquisitions but says, "We saw the possibilities, including growing the business." He said that Clos Pegase is strong in direct-to-consumer sales, a special strength of Vintage. "There are also opportunities for expanded hospitality and events." He added, "It has very good vineyards. We could do a lot more with them." Though Clos Pegase has a permit for 80,000 cases, it only makes 25,000 at present. The Clos Pegase wines are priced slightly above Vintage's current Girard flagship wines, which include Cabernets from famed Pritchard Hill in Napa Valley. By comparison, Vintage produced about 700,000 cases last year. Roney plans to add Clos Pegase wines to the sales force of Vintage's own portfolio and expand distribution. Jan Shrem founded Clos Pegase Winery in 1984, naming it after the famous mythical flying horse, Pegasus. Celebrated architect Michael Graves designed the winery after an architectural competition hosted by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. —Paul Franson 18 W in e s & V i ne s O C TOB E R 20 13