Jackson Family Wines buys second Napa vineyard for its Lokoya wine

The California wine estate has acquired a mountain vineyard near St. Helena, after leasing and farming the site since 2013.

The company, which owns around 161 planted hectares in Napa Valley recently purchased the Wurtele vineyard, which it has been farming for its 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Lokoya wines for the past eight years.

According to county records, the deed for the sale was filed on 29 October, and while an official sales price has not been disclosed, public records indicate Jackson Family Wines paid around US$17.9 million for the 32-hectare property, which includes the vineyard and a residence.

“The quality of the fruit has always been exceptional, so when we had the opportunity to purchase we jumped at the chance,” winemaker Chris Carpenter told winebusiness.com of the new acquisition in the Spring Mountain district. “We knew it would be a worthwhile investment. We will continue to use this vineyard as a source for Lokoya, and potentially other projects down the road.”

Jackson Family Wines is always looking for “for unique sites in the Napa Valley”, according to Carpenter.

Previous owners Angus and Margeret Wurtele, who owned the Terra Valentine wine brand, had two vineyards in their portfolio, one of which Jackson Family Wines purchased in 2013 and which became the base for its premium Lokoya wine. The second vineyard was retained by the Wurteles, until its recent sale to Jackson Family Wines last month.

The Wurteles sold their Terra Valentine brand to their winemaker Sam Baxter and his wife, Angela in 2014.

The vineyard sits on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains and Jackson’s high-altitude Lokoya wines are harvested from elevations of 500 to 2,600 feet, rare in the world of Napa Cabernet Sauvignons. Its sharply inclined terraces create ideal growing conditions for vines.