Sonoma's De Lorimier Winery Sold

The producer of Bordeaux blends has been renamed Mosaic by new investors

Tim Fish
Posted: May 31, 2005

De Lorimier, a small Sonoma County winery known for its well-regarded Sauvignon Blanc and Bordeaux-style blends, has been sold to a group of Wisconsin investors.

The sale price was not disclosed, but the deal includes the brand and inventory, 17.5 acres of vineyards and the winery and hospitality center, which are located on Highway 128, north of Healdsburg, in the Alexander Valley appellation.

Great Vine Winery Group LLC, a group of investors led by attorney Bill McCardell and marketer Tom Fuchs, purchased the property this week. They plan to slowly increase the annual production, currently 10,000 cases.

"The winery location, the quality of the product and its limited distribution gives us the ability to build the brand," Fuchs said. "We feel the Alexander Valley is on the verge of greater recognition for the quality of its Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots."

The winery has been renamed Mosaic, after de Lorimier's flagship wine, a red Bordeaux-style blend. The winery also produces a white Bordeaux blend called Spectrum, as well as Chardonnay, Merlot and small quantities of other varietals.

Al and Sandy de Lorimier, who could not be reached for comment, retain ownership of some vineyards in the valley and will continue to sell grapes to the winery. The couple first bought property in Alexander Valley in the early 1970s and opened their winery in 1985.

Don Frazer, who has been de Lorimier's winemaker for 17 years, will stay on as Mosaic's general manager of operations.