Rombauer Vineyards in St. Helena is known for its chardonnay.
E&J Gallo is adding Rombauer Vineyards to its portfolio.
Gallo, the largest wine producer in the U.S., is buying the St. Helena-based wine operation, which includes over 700 acres of vineyards in Carneros, Sonoma Valley, Napa County and Amador County. In addition, Gallo will acquire Rombauer’s tasting rooms in St. Helena and Plymouth, California, plus a trio of winemaking facilities. The deal was announced last week; the purchase price was not disclosed.
Rombauer was founded in 1980 by Koerner and Joan Rombauer. They released their first chardonnay in 1984, at the forefront of the trend in bold, oaky chardonnays. Until the sale, the company had still been owned by the Rombauer family, producing about 350,000 cases a year, including zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc and its signature chardonnay.
The family’s German ancestry included “deep roots” in the winegrowing region of Rheingau, according to the company’s website at Rombauer.com; in fact, Koerner’s great aunt Irma Rombauer wrote the hugely influential cookbook, The Joy of Cooking.
In a press release, Joseph Gallo, manager of the company’s luxury wine department, described Rombauer as an iconic brand, “rooted in distinctive and respected wines.” In the statement, Gallo said he looks forward to working with the Rombauer leadership and winemaking teams.
“Their values, along with their long-term focus, align seamlessly with our culture. Our shared goal is to honor and build on this legacy,” said Gallo.
KR Rombauer, son of Koerner and Joan, applauded the Gallos as a dedicated multi-generation family with a passion for creating exceptional wines. “Gallo places great importance in stewardship of the land, the Rombauer brand and their employees,” he stated.
