Gallo Buying Edna Valley Vineyard

Deal will make the company a major player in Central Coast Chardonnay

Tim Fish
Posted: June 28, 2011

E. & J. Gallo Winery is purchasing Edna Valley Vineyard, a prominent winery on California’s Central Coast, according to sources at the company. The terms of the deal were not disclosed but it included the winery in San Luis Obispo, the brand and 44 acres of vineyards.

A joint venture between global beverage powerhouse Diageo and Paragon Vineyard Company, Edna Valley was founded in 1980 and produces about 300,000 cases annually. It’s largely a house of Chardonnay but also produces Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Niven family, which owns Paragon and has grown grapes in the region since the early 1970s, has agreed to continue selling grapes to Edna Valley’s new owners.

“Edna Valley will help us expand both our footprint in the Central Coast and in the Chardonnay category,” said Roger Nabedian, general manager of Gallo’s premium wine division, in a statement. The deal is expected to close within a few weeks.

Gallo’s only other Central Coast winery is Bridlewood Estate in nearby Santa Ynez Valley, which it bought in 2004.