Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/70679
APRIL NEWS Hambrecht, Hursts and S onoma, Calif.—This is, apparently, a good time to be buying wineries and vineyards. "Since our deal was announced, we've been inundated with inquiries," says Phil Hurst, who last week announced a partnership with legendary moneyman Bill Hambrecht to acquire win- eries and build a business. "We've had 20 to 30 calls." Hambrecht bought 25% of the existing H.D.D. LLC partnership of Hurst, Paul Dolan and his son Heath, which already owned 4,000-case Truett Hurst Winery in Dry Creek Valley, Sauvignon Republic (currently inactive) and Stonegate Winery in Napa Valley. Hambrecht is contributing his VML Winery in the Russian River Valley, named after winemaker and business partner Virginia (Ginny) Marie Lambrix. It was formerly C. Donatiello—and before that, Belvedere Winery. winesandvines.com Dolans Join Wine Forces Wine industry veterans seek more acquisitions Learn more: Search keyword "Hambrecht." pansion of VML Winery's production. It has a permit to produce 150,000 cases, but previous partner/manager Chris Donatiello had shrunk volume to 5,000 cases of high- end Russian River Pinot Noir three years ago and changed the name of the facility. "He wasn't able to meet the goals," says Hambrecht is also contributing grapes from his 100-acre Bradford Mountain Vineyard in the Dry Creek Valley and his 100-acre Floodgate Vineyard in the Rus- sian River Valley as well as the Healdsburg Ranches value brand and the 3,000-case Bradford Mountain Vineyard brand. The Dry Creek vineyard is certified or- ganic and the Floodgate Vineyard is in the process of certification. Paul Dolan is a leading crusader for organic and sustain- able grapegrowing and the partnership in- tends to further that practice. Among H.D.D.'s immediate plans is ex- H.D.D. managing partner Hurst. "Bill wanted a new partner to run the winery more efficiently." The partnership intends to expand pro- duction while maintaining the high-end Pi- not production using new equipment added for that purpose. Fortunately, the volume production equipment remains in place. Hurst says that the Truett Hurst Winery is doing well. "Tasting room sales have been doubling every year." Truett Hurst, which was formerly Martin Family Vineyard, sits on a 26-acre vineyard that was one of Ital- ian Swiss Colony's early vineyards. —Paul Franson BarrelsBest-Vadai_Jan11.qxp 12/9/10 2:57 PM Page 1 VADAI BARRELS Lowest Factory Price in the U.S.A. French & Hungarian Style Barrels The Zemplen Forest Barrel Won the Highest Recognition in the Italian Competition for "The Best Tasting Wine" Against 10 French & 5 American Cooperages WINEPRESS 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13 & 40 GALLON VINEGAR BARREL 1, 1.5, 2.6, & 5 GALLON PICKLE BARRELS 5 & 8 GALLON OAK CHIPS • BARREL BUNGS BARRELS 1/8 TO 265 GALLON "Winemakers in the USA & Other countries say they love the taste of their wine in Vadai Barrels better than any other barrel!" • Reliable depth filter sheets ◆ for successful filtration ◆ from pre-clarification ◆ to bottling Check out WinePress.US for Comments vadaiwinebarrels.com L.A. OFFICE (626) 289-8250 vadaiworldtd@sbcglobal.net VINTNERS SUPPLY COMPANY P.O. Box 153, St. Helena, CA 94574 Toll Free 800.366.6809 • Fax 707.584.7955 www.vintnerssupply.com Wines & Vines APRiL 2011 17 A DIVISION OF MOECKLY ENTERPRISES, INC. ™ FILTRATION & SEPARATION Bill Hambrecht is contributing vML Winery to the H.D.D. partnership.VintnersSupply_Immer_Dir11.qxd 11/19/10 1:41 PM Page 1