Napa’s Seven Stones winery sells for US$34 million

In the highest sum fetched for a Napa winery this year, Seven Stones in St Helena has been sold for a princely sum.

The 18-hectare property overlooking the Similkameen Valley in St Helena has been sold for US$34 million, a potentially record high for a relatively small boutique winery.

Seven Stones produces no more than 400-500 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon each vintage, which is released annually to the winery’s allocation list at US$210 per bottle under the auspices of winemaker Aaron Pott.

Previously owned by the Wornick family, the estate includes a 600-square-foot home, pool, guest house, barn, workshop space, vineyards and extensive art collection, with many pieces thought to be promised to museums around the world.

The buyer has not been named, but according to Compass Real Estate Agents, which represented both the seller and the buyer, the winery’s new owner is a “multinational corporation.”

“Seven Stones Winery, St. Helena’s celebrated, unrivaled boutique winery property, has been sold for US$34 million to a multinational corporation with a significant US presence,” Damian Archbold of Compass said in a statement. “This acquisition will form part of a newly established entity for their wine business.“

“The timeless qualities of the lovingly developed European style residence, sculpted 45 acres, and bespoke winery, make the property among the most unique and coveted in the world,” Steve Mavromihalis, also of Compass, said.

Ron and Anita Wornick, who owned Seven Stones from 1995 to 2022, previously shared on the winery’s website that “With just over 3 acres of certified organically farmed vines planted, we intend to remain a small, estate winery, with no more than 500 cases produced each year.”

Whether the new owner will stay true to this humble vision, remains to be seen.