Latest news with #Zinfandels
San Francisco Chronicle
15-05-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
It sat vacant for years. Will this famed Wine Country estate finally get its second chance?
It was once among Sonoma's most popular wineries. Yet the former home of California Zinfandel pioneer Ravenswood has been vacant for years, one of the dozens of casualties of embattled real estate developer Kenneth Mattson, who was investigated by the FBI and accused of defrauding investors in 2024. But earlier this year, wine conglomerate Gallo resurrected the famed Ravenswood brand after a five-year hiatus — and now, the derelict winery has a shot at renewal, too. The 23-acre estate at 18701 Gehricke Road in Sonoma is back on the market, listed at $5.3 million. Located just over a mile from the Sonoma Plaza, the property includes the stone Ravenswood production facility and tasting room, plus approximately 10 acres of vineyards planted to Zinfandel, Merlot and other varieties. Realtor Mark Stornetta, the agent representing the Ravenswood property, did not respond to the Chronicle's request for comment. The listing comes weeks after a bankruptcy court judge approved the sale of over 150 commercial and residential properties in Sonoma County and beyond, which are owned by subsidiaries and affiliates of LeFever Mattson, the real estate investment company founded by Mattson and his longtime business partner Tim LeFever. The former partners, who had amassed a real estate portfolio valued at about $400 million, are engaged in a contentious legal battle and the controversy erupted to include an FBI probe and several additional lawsuits from investors accusing them of fraud. In September, LeFever Mattson and 57 of its entities filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy; proceeds of the real estate sales, including Ravenswood, will be used to pay off lenders and hundreds of investors. Founded in 1976 by winemaker Joel Peterson, Ravenswood specialized in big, single-vineyard Zinfandels and quickly became one of Sonoma County's most notable wine brands. But the winery was acquired by Constellation Brands in 2001 and Ravenswood's stellar reputation faltered under the conglomerate's ownership. Constellation later sold the brand to competitor Gallo as part of the $810 million blockbuster deal that included 30 low-end wine and spirits brands. Before the deal was finalized in 2021, the Ravenswood tasting room closed and the property was sold to Sonoma's Best Hospitality Group, one of Mattson's many companies. Ravenswood was one of several wine-related entities that Mattson, once poised to become a Wine Country power player, compiled during his Sonoma County buying spree. It was meant to be the future home of two brands: a new winery called Harrow Cellars and Sojourn Cellars, a small Sonoma Pinot Noir producer that the group purchased later that year. According to the listing, Sonoma County approved Sonoma's Best's application to revitalize and expand the property. But construction never got underway. Ravenswood remained boarded up and untouched, as if it were frozen in time. Now, its fate awaits its next buyer.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lodi remains home of prized vineyards
Apr. 11—One of the oldest vineyards in Lodi has been given a top honor from the California State Fair. Marian's Vineyard was named the 2025 Vineyard of the Year by the State Fair Wine Industry Task Force last month. Planted in 1901, the vineyard consists of 8.3 acres of Zinfandel grapes owned by Mohr-Fry Ranches. "Obviously it's quite an honor for our family and vineyard to receive the award," CEO Bruce Fry said. "It's really great. The timing is really good, because this recognizes old vine Zinfandels, and with the uncertainty in the wine industry right now, this will show how unique and special many vineyards are." Marian's Vineyard is part of the Frys' 225-acre farm located west of West Lane between Harney Lane and Armstrong Road. When the Mohr-Fry family purchased the property in 1965, it was called West Lane Ranch and consisted of Zinfandel, Flame Tokay, Alicante Bouschet and Palomino grapes — the latter of which is used to make Sherry — as well as almond and cherry trees. The vineyard would eventually be renamed in honor of Fry's grandmother, and today, more than 90% of the acreage still consists of the vines originally planted in 1901. In the 1990s, St. Amant Winery founder Tim Spencer approached the Mohr-Frys about highlighting some of their old vine Zinfandel. The family loaned him seven tons, and in 2003, the winery's 2001 Marian's Vineyard varietal was named Best Zinfandel in California at the California State Fair. Today, Marian's Vineyard Zinfandel is bottled by St. Amant Winery as a "Reserve" wine. Fry said the vineyard's grapes are also purchased by Monte Rio Cellars in Sonoma County. "(Marian) was a very special lady, and the vineyard is very special," he said. "It keeps on producing fines wines, and for it to survive this long ... it goes along with how the family has been in business for so long. We've got six generations working for the family business. That's pretty unique in California." Marian's Vineyard is the second Lodi vineyard to be honored by the State Fair. Bechthold Vineyard, the oldest in Lodi that was planted in 1886 and is still harvested today, consists of 25 acres of Cinsaut grapes. "It's just an honor to be on the list with all the people who have won this award in the past," Fry said, adding the family plans to commemorate Marian's Vineyard locally sometime this year. Mohr-Fry Ranches will be formally presented with the "Vineyard of the Year" award on Wednesday, April 16 at the California State Fair Wine Judges Dinner at the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg. To learn more about Mohr-Fry Ranches, visit
