Chateau Saint Jean is a renowned winery located in Kenwood, California. Founded in 1973 by Ken Sheffield, Bob and Ed Merzoian, the winery has been producing outstanding wines for over 40 years. The winery is well known for its exceptional reserve wines, vineyard designated wines and blends, which have gained it international recognition.
The history of Chateau Saint Jean is an interesting one. In 2017, the winery was affected by a series of devastating fires that spread from the ash-coated hills behind the winery to the courtyard's blackened tree trunks. Incredibly, Chateau Saint Jean managed to survive despie this tragedy and still bears witness to what happened in its exterior appearance.
In 2019, Foley Family Wines acquired Chateau Saint Jean from Aussie wine giant Treasury Wine Estates. The deal included both St. Jean's chateau and a 6,000-square-foot visitors center as well as a 39,000-square-foot production facility.
At Chateau Saint Jean, visitors are invited to experience the beauty of the estate through wine tastings or private tours of the wineries vineyards and cellars. Tastings include award-winning Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir along with other specialties such as Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. For those looking to purchase some of their favorite varietals or blends they can do so at the onsite tasting room or online store where they are also able to join their club membership program which offers exclusive discounts on select wines.
If you're looking for an unforgettable experience durng your next visit to California then look no further than Chateau Saint Jean! With its delicious wines and beautiful grounds it's sure to be an enjoyable experience for everyone involved!
Chateau St. Jean: A Recognized Winery
Chateau St. Jean is renowned for its exquisite selection of reserve wines, vineyard designated wines and blends. The winery employs the use of traditional winemaking techniques to produce quality, balanced wines that embody the unique terroir of Sonoma County. Their reserve wines are crafted with meticulous care, aged in small oak barrels for at least 18 months and bottled unfiltered for maximum flavor. Vineyard designated wines showcase the character of individual vineyards and are often considered some of the best in Sonoma County. Blends combine multiple varieties to create a balanced wine with enhanced aromatics, structure and complexity. All wines produced by Chateau St. Jean are marked by an intense commitment to quality and a passion for winemaking excellence.
Who Acquired Chateau St. Jean Winery?
Foley Family Wines, an American wine company oned by Bill Foley, recently acquired Chateau St. Jean from Aussie wine giant Treasury Wine Estates. The purchase included the winery located in Kenwood, California, as well as a 6,000-square-foot visitors center and 39,000-square-foot production facility. As a result of this acquisition, Foley Family Wines now owns and operates the historic Chateau St. Jean Winery.
History of Ownership of Chateau St. Jean
Chateau St. Jean was founded in 1973 by Ken Sheffield, Bob Merzoian, and Ed Merzoian. The three men were San Joaquin Valley table grape growers and shippers who wanted to build a premium California winery. They worked tgether to find the ideal location for their venture and eventually found the perfect spot. Since its founding, Chateau St. Jean has been owned and operated by the Merzoian family and their descendants.
The Winemaker at Chateau St Jean
The winemaker at Chateau St. Jean is Niki Williams, who brings over ten years of experience to the role. She has worked with some of Napa Valley's most prestigious wineries and is the fifth winemaker in the long history of Chateau St. Jean. Williams has a passion for crafting elegant wines that express both their varietal character and sense of place in Sonoma, and she expresses her enthusiasm for winemaking through an overall commitment to quality and innovation.
Reasons for Selling French Châteaux
The current trend of owners selling their French château is due to a variety of factors. Firstly, the cost of maintaining a French château is quite high, and many owners simply cannot afford thse costs any longer. In addition, there has been a shift in generational mindset with younger generations becoming more urbanised and wanting to pursue international careers in cities. This has meant that there is an increased demand for luxury housing in cities and a decreased demand for large properties in rural areas. Consequently, many owners have decided to sell their French château as the properties are simply too large for them or their families. Finally, the pandemic has had an impact on house prices which means that many owners are choosing to take advantage of the current market conditions and sell their property now rather than waiting for prices to recover.
Conclusion
Chateau St. Jean is a renowned winery that has withstood the test of time. Its rich history dates back to the early 1970s when Ken Sheffield, Bob, and Ed Merzoian began searching for the perfect setting to build a premium California winery. Despite having survived fires and other disasters, this iconic winery still stands today. It's currently owned by Foley Family Wines, who have acquired it from Aussie wine giant Treasury Wine Estates. Chateau St. Jean produces outstanding reserve wines, vineyard designated wines and blends that are enjoyed by many around the world.
