Jancis Robinson, writing for the Financial Times, reports on the changing succession trends in the Napa Valley. At the end of the last century, succession was one of the hot topics, “there had been very few smooth transitions of winery ownership from one generation to another.” Thankfully, after her most recent visit to the area in February, Robinson reports that she was hosted by one harmonious bi-, even tri-, generation wine enterprise to another.
One such of these enterprises is Marietta Cellars. Founded by Chris Bilbro, who passed last year, the operation is now run by his son, Scot. Robinson elaborates that “Scot runs Marietta Cellars today, continuing the winery’s brilliant red blend Old Vine Red, possibly California’s best-value wine of any colour, a concept cooked up by Chris in the 1990s when blends were out of fashion.”
To read more about succession in the Napa Valley and Marietta Cellars, read the full article HERE.
Jancis-Robinson-on-the-next-generation-of-California-winemakers-_-Financial-TimesRelated Wines
Marietta Cellars
Marietta Cellars Old Vine Red
Sonoma/Mendocino, California, United States
Affectionately known as "OVR," Marietta's Old Vine Red is a proprietary red wine made to replicate the field blends of the old vineyards in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. A groundbreaking combination of grape varieties and multiple vintages first produced in 1982, this wine has blazed the path for red blends for decades. With an historic underground following, it is one of the longest lasting and best known red blends produced today. Predominantly comprised of Zinfandel, Old Vine Red combines pure fruit, a supple mouth feel and a rich, solid structure.
Related Producers
Marietta Cellars
Sonoma & Mendocino, California
Starting with only a handful of purchased grapes in 1978, Marietta Cellars has been a standout winery in Sonoma and Mendocino since the very start. Founded by Chris Bilbro, a Sonoma native with winemaking roots dated back three generations, Marietta rose to prominence with its revolutionary Old Vine Red, a California red blend that essentially created the category. The winery has slowly expanded its estate holdings over the past thirty years, evolving into a beacon for high quality, balanced Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Rhône variety blends.