| Beaulieu Vineyard | |
| Location | Rutherford, California, USA |
|---|---|
| Appellation | Rutherford AVA |
| Founded | 1900 |
| Key people | Joel Aiken, President of Winemaking Robert Masyczek, Winemaker Jeffrey Stambor, Winemaker |
| Parent company | Diageo |
| Known for | Georges De Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Varietals | Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Syrah, Viognier, Merlot, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc |
| Tasting | open to the public |
Beaulieu Vineyard is a vineyard near Rutherford, California, belonging to the appellation Rutherford AVA. It was established by Georges de Latour and his wife Fernande in 1900.
History
Initially a purchase of 4 acres (1.6 ha) of land in 1900, Beaulieu Vineyard derives its name from the French phrase "Quel beau lieu" which translates to English as "What a beautiful place". Legend has it that Fernande uttered these words when she first saw the land. The following year, they purchased a nearby winery originally built by California State Senator Seneca Ewer in 1885. De Latour's knowledge about phylloxera which at the time had ravaged many of Napa Valley's vineyards and his decision to import a rootstock variety resistant to the pest helped cement his stature as one of the early pioneers of California's wine industry.
When Prohibition in the United States began in 1920, most wineries in the country were forced out of operation. However, Beaulieu obtained a contract to supply sacramental wine to churches across the country. The demand for such wine increased dramatically during the years of Prohibition and the winery repeatedly expanded. By the Repeal of Prohibition in 1933, production had grown to over one million gallons per year. Following Repeal of Prohibition, Beaulieu hired Andre Tchelistcheff from France as winemaker and the quality of its wines increased significantly. Tchelistcheff also became a mentor to other important winemakers such as Mike Grgich (whose Chateau Montelena Chardonnay won the Judgment of Paris), Joe Heitz of Heitz Wine Cellars, and Robert Mondavi. By the 1940s, Beaulieu wines were served at all major White House functions. In the Ottawa Wine Tasting of 1981, the 1970 vintage of Beaulieu Vineyard George de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon received second place. The winery was purchased by international conglomerate Heublin-Inc., in 1969.[1] Heublin was later acquired by RJR Nabisco, then sold to Grand Metropolitan in 1987. Grand Metropolitan became Diageo plc in 1997 through a merger with Guinness,[2] and is now the largest multinational beer, wine and spirits company in the world.
Location
- Beaulieu Vineyard is at coordinates Coordinates:
References
- ^ Frank J. Prial. "A Corker of a Salesman", New York Times, December 11, 1988. Retrieved on 2007-11-13.
- ^ Diageo plc. Funding Universe. Retrieved on 2007-11-13.
