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20 WINES&VINES April 2017 WINE INDUSTRY NEWS Originally founded by the oldest of the great Cognac houses, Tonnellerie Leroi boasts a rare expertise in the production of oak barrels. The noble quality of the material is matched by the mastery and skill of its expert coopers. By perfectly taming the heat during the toast, the master cooper reveals the subtle aromas of the oak, which brings to the wine or spirit its aromas and vitality. Contacts: Michael Mercer North American Sales Manager Cell: (707) 508-5006 michael@leroibarrels.com Arianna Spoto Cell: (805) 453-9030 ari@leroibarrels.com 1285 S. Foothill blvd Cloverdale, CA 95425 Ph: (707) 224-2377 Fax: (707) 224-2390 www.tonnellerie-leroi.com 10/11/2016 14:55 D a v i s , C a l i f. — A g u s t i n Huneeus and his son, A g u s t i n F r a n c i s c o Huneeus, have an impressive his- tory of building, buying and sell- ing wineries and wine brands. Their family businesses have suc- ceeded through long-term plan- ning, strategic investments, capitalizing on market trends and adapting to change. The two men worked together first at Franciscan Estates and today at Huneeus Vintners, and on March 8 they were honorary lecturers at the University of Cali- fornia, Davis, for the Walt Klenz Lectureship Series. Both men have run their own companies and have been corpo- rate executives. They prefer being entrepreneurs as owners/ partners. The elder Huneeus al- ready has given his son control of the various companies. "I have handed the business over to him, and he runs the place now," Huneeus said. The two men said they don't agree on everything but bring different strengths and perspec- tives to the partnership that blends the father's experience in production and management with his son's focus on marketing and sales. "My father left me a company with a great balance sheet. We were able to buy Flowers Vine- yards & Winery at a time when other companies couldn't," Augus- tin Francisco Huneeus said. When the pair added The Pris- oner Wine Co. to their portfolio in 2010, with its flagship wine a Napa Valley blend of Zinfandel and Cab- ernet Sauvignon, the younger Huneeus said his father didn't agree with him about the company's po- tential. "My father was against it, but I was running the company," he said. "It enabled us to grow our portfolio sales to 300,000 cases at $50 and above per bottle retail. With The Prisoner, we had five SKUs, and it was a really successful company." They sold The Prisoner Wine Co. to Constellation in April 2016 for $285 million. "It's a really relevant time for fine wine right now," Huneeus said. "For the past 30 years it's been more of a sideshow in rela- tion to the total market, but now the business is all about fine wine." He went on to say he believes the next 10 years will bring very interesting and exciting develop- ments. Noting that there is no high- end white wine market for U.S. producers. "Today we're a very red wine-oriented, high-end culture, but I think Chardonnays priced at $400 a bottle are coming." —Ted Rieger Huneeus Family Shares Wine Business Insights Agustin Huneeus (left) and Agustin Francisco Huneeus field questions from the audience during their presentation for the Walt Klenz Lectureship Series.