LVMH’s shuttered Napa vineyard to reopen under new ownership
Napa Valley’s Newton Vineyard, the estate formerly owned by LVMH that was closed in February four years after a devastating fire, has been reopened under new ownership, it has been reported.
The closure of the Spring Mountain-estate near St. Helena in California’s Napa Valley, came four years after the vineyard was badly affected by a fire that swept across Northern California in September 2020. The fire ravaged the winery and garden as well as the vast majority of its 48ha vineyards – it was reported at the time that only 2ha of vines survived – with the 2019 vintage, ageing in barrels, also destroyed.
Although the North Bay Journal reported that there was a rebuilding and fire protection programme in planning – this was reported to be likely to cost in the region of $US10million. At the time, Newton’s wines were being made at an alternate facility and Moët Hennessey declined to talk about rebuilding the winery in db’s investigation into the wildfires in California. It had already replanted around 10 ha of vines, primarily with Cabernet Sauvignon, however in February, it was announced that the vineyard would permanently cease operation. An email to members of the Newton Vineyard’s wine club said at the time it had been a “profoundly challenging” decision, and the website still says it is permanently closed.
Since then it has emerged that the estate, which was famed for its single vineyard expressions, was acquired by a group of investors led by Napa-based Nick Livanos and his business partner attorney Eric Bryan Seuthe, which the North Bay Journal reported was for US$8.5million. The new owners plan to reopen the winery, although some of the essential infrastructure, such as irrigation system, ponds and its underground caves survived the fire.
A statement from LVMH said that Moët Hennessy had been the “proud steward of Newton Vineyard, a truly special estate in Napa Valley’s Spring Mountain with a rich history and deep connection to nature and terroir” since 2001 but that following the difficult decisions required after the 2020 Glass Fire, it had now completed the sale of Newton Vineyard.
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“We are confident that the new owners will bring renewed energy to the estate and continue to care for the land and its legacy with respect and dedication,” it said. “We remain grateful for the many years of support and for the community that has grown around Newton.”
The estate was founded by Englishman Peter Newton in 1977, but a majority stake was later acquired by luxury giant LVMH in 2001 with Newton (who died in 2008) and his family retaining a small stake in the estate. Under their stewardship there was heavy investment, including renovations and a move to organic farming
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