Andy Beckstoffer Explained

William Andrew "Andy" Beckstoffer[1]
Birth Place:Richmond, Virginia
Education:MBA, Tuck School of Business, 1966
Alma Mater:Virginia Tech, Dartmouth College
Occupation:Vineyard owner
Years Active:1973-present
Spouse:Betty[2]

William Andrew "Andy" Beckstoffer is a California vineyard owner, with holdings in Napa, Lake, and Mendocino counties.[3]

Biography

Beckstoffer was a resident of Richmond, Virginia, and went to Virginia Tech on a football scholarship. He graduated with an Engineering degree, and served in the United States Army. While in the Army, he learned about the California wine industry in San Francisco. Upon leaving the Army, he entered graduate school at Dartmouth, earning a Master of Business Administration in 1966, and went to work for a finance company, Hueblein Inc. He convinced the company to invest in the burgeoning wine industry.

In 1973, he purchased Vinifera Development Corporation, the wing of Heublein that owned approximately 1200acres of land in Napa and Mendocino. By 2010, he had expanded his company's holdings to 1072acres in Napa, 1138acres in Mendocino, and over 1100acres in Lake County.[4]

Influence on the California wine industry

Beckstoffer was involved in settling a labor dispute led by Cesar Chavez in the late 1960s and early 1970s.[5] His vineyard management practices, including decisions regarding vine spacing and irrigation, have helped to modernize the California wine industry. Additionally, he has been active in the definition of the Rutherford and Saint Helena AVA,[6] as well as the Red Hills Lake County AVA, where he holds nearly 2,000 plantable acres.

Notes and References

  1. Hardy. Quentin. The Appellation Trail. Forbes. 16 September 2002. 29 June 2011.
  2. Web site: Andy Beckstoffer Biography. Beckstoffer Vineyards. 29 June 2011.
  3. Web site: Timeline. Beckstoffer Vineyards. 29 June 2011.
  4. Web site: Goldfarb . Alan . Feature Interview: Napa Valley grower Andy Beckstoffer . Appellation America . 29 June 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120329043816/http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-review/165/Feature-Interview%3A--Napa-Valley-grower-Andy-Beckstoffer.html . 29 March 2012 .
  5. Web site: Andy Beckstoffer. Calwineries. 29 June 2011.
  6. The St. Helena Viticultural Area . Federal Register . 11 September 1995 . 60 . 175 . 47053–47061 . 29 June 2011 .