Breaking: Duckhorn Acquires Kosta Browne

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Just got this from Duckhorn's PR firm. Thoughts to follow...

NAPA VALLEY, Calif. – July 17, 2018 – Duckhorn Wine Company, which includes Duckhorn Vineyards, Paraduxx, Goldeneye, Migration, Decoy, Canvasback and Calera, announced today that it will acquire iconic California Pinot Noir winery Kosta Browne. Founded in 1997, Kosta Browne is recognized as one of the wine industry’s great success stories, making some of the New World’s most sought-after Pinot Noirs. The Kosta Browne sale will include the company, the winery, all assets and inventory, as well as 170 acres of vineyards through ownership or long-term leases that include Cerise Vineyard in the Anderson Valley, and prized sections of Keefer Ranch Vineyard in the Russian River Valley and Gap’s Crown Vineyard on the Sonoma Coast. The Kosta Browne team will remain with the winery, including CEO Scott Becker and acclaimed winemaker Nico Cueva. 

“This is a huge win for both Duckhorn Wine Company and Kosta Browne,” said Alex Ryan, president and CEO of Duckhorn Wine Company. “Fine wine lovers have an insatiable demand for luxury Pinot Noir, and Kosta Browne’s wines are among America’s most coveted.”

Kosta Browne was founded by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne, with Chris Costello joining the partnership in 2001. In the years since, Kosta Browne has created a globally renowned portfolio of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, along with a groundbreaking direct-to-consumer program. In addition to 170 acres of premium estate vineyards, Kosta Browne has established partnerships with many of California’s most legendary growers from Anderson Valley to the Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands and Sta. Rita Hills. In 2012, Kosta Browne built a state-of-the-art custom winemaking facility in Sebastopol, California. This summer, they will unveil The Gallery, a hospitality space overlooking the winery where Kosta Browne will provide a rich and immersive tasting experience for its members. 

“As a lover of good wines and good investments, I have particularly enjoyed working with Scott Becker, our dynamic CEO, and his talented team on the relentless pursuit of quality at Kosta Browne,” said John Childs, chairman of J.W. Childs Associates, which currently owns Kosta Browne. “Every action, whether the purchase of Cerise or our proprietary bottling line, was taken to advance the quality of Kosta Browne wines. We have made great strides and are pleased that Duckhorn will continue this journey, as their reputation for excellence suggests. Kosta Browne will be right at home among Duckhorn’s stable of benchmark American wines.”

Kosta Browne has earned a place on Wine Spectator’s annual list of the world’s “Top 100 Wines” seven times since 2005, including “Wine of the Year” in 2011. The 2014 Duckhorn Vineyards Three Palms Merlot was named Wine Spectator’s 2017 “Wine of the Year,” so with this acquisition Duckhorn Wine Company will become the only American wine company in this century with two “Wine of the Year” winners in its portfolio. 


“What Michael, Dan and Chris created at Kosta Browne is nothing short of remarkable,” added Ryan. “It has been exciting to see the founders rewarded for their years of hard work and tireless pursuit of excellence. Their vision and values will inspire everything we do.” 

The purchase of Kosta Browne will not include CIRQ, which was founded, and continues to be owned, by Michael Browne. The sale is expected to close next month. 

About Duckhorn Wine Company
Duckhorn Wine Company has helped set the standard for American fine wine for four decades. Founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn with the launch of Duckhorn Vineyards in 1976, the Duckhorn portfolio has evolved to include Goldeneye, Paraduxx, Migration, Decoy, Canvasback and Calera, each with its own dedicated winemaker. With 700 acres of acclaimed estate vineyards, along with grapes from the finest growers, each winery has its own focused winegrowing program from which to make its wines. Duckhorn Wine Company wines are available throughout the United States, on five continents, and in over 50 countries. For more information, visit Duckhorn.com. 

About Kosta Browne
Located in Sebastopol, Sonoma County, Kosta Browne is a trusted authority on California Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They produce appellation and single-vineyard wines from the most coveted cool-climate vineyards across the Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Anderson Valley, Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Lucia Highlands appellations. A commitment to quality, stewardship of the land, and customer relationships have made Kosta Browne an industry-leading producer of inspiring wines that transcend their origins and represent California on a global stage. For more information, visit KostaBrowne.com.

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