Pecota Family Sells Calistoga Estate . . . Will Launch New Vineyard and Winery

In July, 2006, Robert Pecota and his family sold their Calistoga winery and estate vineyard, established in 1978, to Artisan and Estates, owned by Jess Jackson of Kendall-Jackson fame. It will become the home of the high-end Atalon brand of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The Pecota family has retained ownership of the Robert Pecota Winery name and all Pecota-branded wines, and has acquired another property close by on Bennett Lane just across the Napa River from Chateau Montelena. Plans are to plant 22 of the 27 acres to grapes, primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, while devoting the balance to a home and small winery. Until the new winery is operational, the family will continue to produce wines at its former facility.

As a result, there will be no interruption in the flow of current or future vintages of Robert Pecota wine, and the family will continue shipping wines as scheduled to wine club members. For the time being, the Pecotas will be unable to host visitors for tastings, but they are working on finding a temporary Napa Valley venue at which to do so.

“I’m 68 now,” stated winery founder Robert Pecota, “and with my daughters tending their families and other interests, it seemed like a good time to downsize and get back to doing the things I love most – driving a tractor, growing grapes and making small quantities of handcrafted wine. That’s what I intend to do, and I hope our longtime customers will accompany me on the journey.”

2005 Sauvignon Blanc: An Artful Wine From the Pecota Family

Robert Pecota Winery has always been a multi-generational family affair. In 2005, the third generation lent an artful hand.

As our longtime customers know, the label of each new vintage of Robert Pecota Sauvignon Blanc is graced by a work of art from a distinguished artist. In 2005, that distinguished artist was none other than 11-year-old Alex Dunn, Robert Pecota’s grandson and the son of Bob’s daughter Kara. Alex, our 27th label artist, entitled his lovely collage "Fruit of the Vine." It’s Alex’s celebration of life in the paradise we call Napa Valley.

The name is appropriate, as our 2005 Sauvignon Blanc is full of fresh, crisp fruit. Because unseasonably cool temperatures prevailed throughout the summer months, our Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc grapes – from a single vineyard in Gordon Valley – ripened slowly and evenly, attaining full maturity while retaining excellent levels of acidity.

To preserve the character of this pristine fruit, we whole-cluster-pressed the grapes directly to stainless steel tanks and fermented the pure, aromatic juice at cold temperatures. A special yeast was employed to optimize varietal aromas, and the wine was bottled soon after harvest to preserve its fresh, vibrant flavors. It was released in January, 2006.

Our 2005 Sauvignon Blanc exemplifies the balanced, elegant style we strive for with this classic variety. Forward citrus, melon and mineral aromas introduce lively, succulent flavors which culminate in a long, refreshing finish. The wine – and the art – are delightful with sushi, shellfish, crab cakes, lighter fish and poultry dishes, and spicy Asian cuisines.

All Napa All The Time

Beginning with the 2005 vintage, all Robert Pecota wines will be produced exclusively from Napa Valley grapes.

“We’re a Napa Valley winery with a nearly 30-year history in California’s finest wine region, and we want all our wines to reflect that heritage,” says Robert Pecota. “Although we have sourced some excellent fruit over the years from other regions, we think – to paraphrase Bob Dylan – that it’s time to ‘bring it all back home.’”

The winery’s 37-acre Calistoga estate vineyard has long provided the grapes for Kara’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (named after Bob eldest daughter, Kara) and occasional bottlings of Steven Andre Merlot (named after Bob’s son, Steven). Sauvignon Blanc is currently sourced from a vineyard in Gordon Valley, in southeastern Napa Valley, and the winery’s two dessert wines – Moscato d’Andrea (named after Bob’s younger daughter, Andrea) and Moscato Canelli Passito – are from the Solari vineyard in Calistoga.

“This is our home and one of world’s great wine regions,” Bob adds. “We’re proud to have a Calistoga address and a Napa Valley appellation on every bottle of wine we produce.”

Started in 1991, the non-profit Napa Valley Classic Foundation has been responsible for generating over $400,000 in grants for projects and programs that directly benefit the youth of Napa County. Annually, the Foundation holds a benefit event, the "Napa Valley Classic" which features local Napa Valley food and wine tasting, silent and Calcutta auctions, and exciting, action packed equestrian show jumping. Each year at this event, the Foundation also honors an individual who has contributed greatly to improving life for residents and children in the Napa Valley. This year, the board is extremely proud and very pleased to announce Mr. Robert Pecota as their 2004 Honoree.

Following his passion for wine making, Mr. Pecota left a career as an international coffee buyer and moved his family to the Napa Valley in 1971, eventually purchasing 40 acres of property near Calistoga. In 1978, the Robert Pecota Winery was launched. Since then, the winery and Robert Pecota have gone on to earn a reputation for producing excellent wines that have achieved numerous awards and worldwide success, including the honor of being served at the White House. His children, Kara, Steven and Andrea are now grown, and both his daughters have joined their father as partners in the winery. Ever grateful for his and his family's success with the winery and the life they have enjoyed in the beautiful Napa Valley, Robert Pecota has worked tirelessly in supporting programs and fundraising efforts in the interest of various charitable causes. Examples include the Elaine Mackie Charitable Trust, The Napa Valley College Foundation, the Calistoga Education Foundation, the Napa Valley Vintners Association, and support of the Napa Valley Classic from its inception. Robert and daughters, Kara and Andrea, co-chaired the 2002 Napa Valley Wine Auction, which in spite of the 9/11 tragedy, dot.com crash and downturn in the economy, still earned an amazing 6.1 million dollars for charity. Over the past 30 years, Robert and the Robert Pecota Winery have generously donated to many various charitable causes, the Calistoga Pool Project being the latest object of his support.

Mr. Pecota received this honor at the annual NVC Equestrian Benefit held on Saturday, July 24, 2004. For more information on the Napa Valley Classic Foundation, visit www.napavalleyclassic.com.

Media Contact:
Jessica Rising
Rising Group, Inc.
415.259.0328
jessetco@aol.com