Jackson buys Willakenzie in Oregon

Jackson Family Wines has bought Oregon winery Willakenzie Estate, its seventh acquisition in the Pacific Northwestern state since 2013.

The deal includes the brand, the winery, tasting room and shop, 40 hectares of vineyard in Yamhill in Willamette Valley and a further 10ha of Pinot Noir in the Jory Hills. The fee was not disclosed.

Jackson Family Wines now owns almost 500ha of vineyard in Oregon. This latest buy is already the second acquisition in the state this year having bought Penner-Ash in April, as well as a large facility and land in the Willamette Valley in January. It bought the Soléna Estate in 2013 in addition to three other properties.

Willakenzie was founded in 1991 by Burgundian Bernard Lacroute. It has been reported elsewhere that he decided to sell as none of his children are interested in continuing the business.

As well as Pinot Noir, the Yamhill vineyards include plots of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gamay, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay.