The Donum Estate acquires Savoy Vineyard in Anderson Valley

Californian winery The Donum Estate has made its first estate acquisition outside of Sonoma County with the purchase of the 21-hectare Savoy Vineyard in Anderson Valley.

Savoy Vineyard’s 52-acre (21 ha) property will join the Donum portfolio of Carneros, Russian River Valley, Bodega and existing Anderson Valley vines. The sale marks Donum’s first acquisition of an established vineyard, and the new addition will allow the winery to immediately expand its wine portfolio with the 2023 vintage.

The acquisition of Savoy Vineyard marks Donum’s first estate vineyard outside of Sonoma County.

Angelica de Vere Mabray, The Donum Estate’s CEO,  said of the acquisition: “Savoy is a meaningful addition to our portfolio, a vineyard with a strong sense of place and quality that naturally fits with our continued mission of producing artisanal wines from California’s top regions.”

The company plans to quickly achieve ROC and CCOF sustainability certification.

Dan Fishman, Donum’s vice president of winemaking and vineyards, said: “Donum’s experience in regenerative winegrowing will serve us well as we take over as the latest stewards of this remarkable piece of land.”

He said that the aim will be to “let the land speak for itself through the wine”, with a focus on vineyard and soil, implementing minimal manipulation in the winery.

“Our goal has always been to make the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay possible in each of our unique vineyard sites, and we are excited to continue this mission at Savoy Vineyard,” he added.

Yesterday we reported that California’s Shafer Vineyards has supercharged its Cabernet Sauvignon offering with its latest purchase, a vineyard in Napa’s Atlas Peak AVA. Planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, the Altimeter vineyard represents a strategic move by Shafer to ensure premium fruit for its Cabernet Sauvignon wines, which retail for up to US$375 per bottle.