Zepponi & Company Completes Well-Over $100 Million in Wine Industry Transactions

Oct. 25, 2010 - PRLog -- SANTA ROSA, Calif., - With the recent acquisition of the Four Vines wine brand by Purple Wine Company, Zepponi & Company, a leading provider of merger and acquisition services to the wine industry, (www.zepponi.com) adds on to more than $100 million in transactions already completed over the past 12 months.  Zepponi & Company has served as exclusive financial advisors on a number of wine industry transactions in addition to Four Vines, including Black Stallion Winery and Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery.  

Commenting on the Four Vines transaction, Matt Franklin, a principal with Zepponi & Company, said, “The previous owners of Four Vines did a fantastic job of incubating and growing this dynamic wine brand.  We expect this will be an excellent acquisition for Purple Wine Company given their robust sales infrastructure and ability to extract significant cost efficiencies by leveraging their large production base.”

Four Vines is a leading producer of California Zinfandel and Chardonnay varietal wines.  The brand has gained notoriety for its edgy, anti-establishment identity in the marketplace.  Four Vines has a strong track record of positive media reviews, including numerous 90-plus point ratings and a “Top 100” ranking from The Wine Spectator.  

Only a few months prior to closing the Four Vines transaction, Zepponi & Company served as co-financial advisor to Fred Furth in the sale of Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery in Sonoma County to Bill Foley of Foley Family Wines.  Phillip Kalsched and Jeremy Little of Carle, Mackie, Power & Ross advised the Furth family on the legal aspects of his succession planning and the sales transaction.  The transaction team worked well together because of the unique balance of seasoned wine industry and Wall Street dealmakers who were able to combine their legal, accounting, valuation, banking, real estate and high-level consulting specializations.    

“Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery is a first class family operation, a rare example of some of the great European winery estates, and nothing short of spectacular.  The winery’s brand has achieved marquee status through its Chardonnay and expanding red wine program and its vineyards are regarded as some of the highest quality vineyards in the North Coast,” said Mario Zepponi, a principal with Zepponi & Company.   “Our transaction team worked very closely with the Furth family to ensure that the succession of their family estate was handled properly and in line with Mr. Furth’s vision for this magnificent property.  This transaction is not about the end of an era, but rather a transition to a new era of family winemaking.”  

In May, wine industry veterans Delicato Family Vineyards acquired Black Stallion Winery in Napa, a premier Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon winery and tasting facility ideally located on the famed Silverado Trail.  The nearly 100% consumer-direct business enjoys a modern tasting room and a 45,000 square foot wine production facility.  Zepponi & Company served as exclusive financial advisor to the owners of Black Stallion, brothers Terry and Michael Maglich.  

Heading into the fourth quarter of 2010, Zepponi & Company continues to see a growing demand among buyers for marquee brands, winery estates and assets in Sonoma, Napa, the Central Coast and other premier wine regions.  “We’re in constant communication with buyers and have noticed an increased willingness to pursue acquisitions compared to earlier this year,” stated Joe Ciatti, a principal with Zepponi and Company.  “This is a very exciting time to be involved in facilitating transactions in the wine sector during a period of accelerating consolidation.”  

About Zepponi & Company:
Zepponi & Company is the leading provider of merger and acquisition advisory services to the wine industry.   Headquartered in Sonoma County, California, Zepponi & Company specializes in advising on high-end brand, winery and vineyard transactions.

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Zepponi & Company is the leading provider of merger and acquisition advisory services to the wine industry. Headquartered in Sonoma County, California, Zepponi & Company specializes in advising on high-end brand, winery and vineyard transactions.