Frescobaldi to begin introducing Oregon vintages in Asia
Tuscany’s Marchesi Frescobaldi plans to leverage its “super premium position” to introduce its Oregon project to Asian markets. Rebecca Lo reports.
Italian winery Marchesi Frescobaldi has never been afraid of taking risks. For 30 generations, it has welcomed new family members into the fold as it expanded beyond Florence and Tuscan Chardonnay.
Expansion often means new alliances, with the 1990s partnership between Lamberto Frescobaldi and California winemaker Robert Mondavi yielding Tenuta Luce della Vite — the stuff of winemaking legend. The fairytale marriage of Old and New World approaches to tradition and modernity birthed special vintages still revered today.
“We had been linked with the Mondavi family for years,” explained Stefano Benini, Marchesi Fescobaldi vice president and export director. “We learned a lot from each other, and our friendship remains after our common business interests ended.”
Benini was in Hong Kong to fete the 50th anniversary of the producer’s Benefizio Castello Pomino wine with a pairing lunch at Carbone on 29 May 2025, organised by Jebsen Wine and Spirits. Guests were treated to the 2014 and 2023 Benefizio Pomino Bianco Riserva vintages to compare and contrast how they tasted with Fusilli Genovese and Seabass Oreganata.
“Today, Pomino is our pillar estate wine,” Benini said. “The appellation is mentioned in Medici documents,” referencing Frescobaldi family ties to one of Europe’s most consequential political dynasties.
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In 2023, the Italian winery strengthened its ties with US winemaking. Marchesi Frescobaldi purchased Domaine Roy & Fils in the hills of Dundee, a 40 minute drive southwest of Portland, Oregon. The winery was founded in 2012 by French Canadian owners Marc-André Roy and Jared Etzel, sons of Beaux Frères Winery founders Robert Roy and Michael Etzel. Since the acquisition, Frescobaldi continued its production of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay while retaining its name.
“Our goal is to embrace the local culture in the Pacific Northwest to produce unique Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that are real expressions of their territory,” explained Benini. “We want to explore a region that inspired Burgundy producers to move there in recent years. There is a lot happening in Oregon lately, and we want to increase the exposure of its wine to international markets.”
Domaine Roy & Fils secured an enviable reputation in the decade under Roy and Etzel’s leadership. Its estate vineyards include Iron Filbert in iron-rich Dundee Hills, where the winery and tasting room is situated, and Quartz Acron in Yamhill-Carlton.
“We share the same passion for fine winemaking as Marc-André,” Benini noted. “As we started from a super premium position, we intend to leverage this. Developing the American market is a priority for us, and we have the resources to push new projects. As for our Asian markets, we would like to have a presence in fine dining establishments as we begin introducing Oregon vintages.”
Benini felt that Domaine Roy & Fils shared guiding principles and approaches with Marchesi Frescobaldi, smoothing the transition to new ownership. “What is most beautiful is the sense of community in the Willamette Valley and across Oregon,” he said. “There is great respect among the various producers. Today, Domaine Roy & Fils marry Oregon spirit with Tuscan traditions, guided by an ethos of excellence and sustainability.”
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