Windsor Vineyards Explained

Winery Name:Windsor Vineyards
Location City:Windsor, California
Location Country:USA
Appellations:Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley, North Coast, Mendocino, Knights Valley
Year Founded:1959
Key People:Pat Roney, Vintner; Marco DiGiulio, Winemaker
Varietal1:Petite Sirah
Varietal2:Meritage
Varietal3:Cabernet Sauvignon
Varietal4:Sangiovese
Varietal5:Carignane
Varietal6:Pinot noir
Varietal7:Syrah
Varietal8:Merlot
Varietal9:Zinfandel
Varietal10:Chardonnay
Varietal11:Gewürztraminer
Varietal12:Sauvignon blanc
Varietal13:Muscat (grape and wine)
Other Product1:business gifts
Other Product2:custom labeled wines
Homepage:Windsorvineyards.com
Tasting:Tiburon, California

Windsor Vineyards is a winery located in Windsor, California, United States. It is one of the largest direct-to-consumer wineries in the United States.[1]

History

After a career as a professional dancer, Rodney Strong moved to Tiburon, California, with his wife and founded the winery Tiburon Vinters, in 1959.[2] He then bought and relocated to a new winery in Windsor in 1962. The property was renamed Sonoma Vineyards and then finally Rodney Strong Vineyards. The move allowed for increased production and was closer to Strong's Sonoma County vineyard properties.

Richard Graff's parents were investors in Windsor Vineyards, and Graff got his first wine-making lessons from Rodney Strong.[3]

The winery was sold to the Tom Klein winemaking family in 1989. Rodney Strong remained a consultant until 1995. The winery changed hands again in 2000 when it was purchased by Australian wine unit Mildura Blass, who added Windsor to its family of international wine holdings under the umbrella of Beringer Blass Wine Estates.[4] [5]

Rodney Strong died in 2006. In 2007, vintner Patrick Roney purchased Windsor Vineyards, incorporating Vintage Wine Estates.[6] Roney brought in winemaker Marco DiGiulio, and moved the tasting room to the Healdsburg town square, a central location to the winery's primary AVA sources (Dry Creek Valley AVA, Alexander Valley AVA, and The Russian River Valley AVA).

In July 2024, Vintage Wine Estates filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, with plans to sell all of its assets, including Windsor Vineyards.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Heeger . Jack . 2006-03-09 . Rodney Strong's name and legacy continue . 2023-10-30 . The Napa Valley Register . en.
  2. News: Asimov . Eric . 2006-03-09 . Rodney Strong, 78, Dancer Turned Pioneering California Vintner, Is Dead . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-10-30 . 0362-4331.
  3. News: Prial . Frank J. . 1998-01-14 . Richard Graff, California Vintner, 60 . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-10-30 . 0362-4331.
  4. http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/food-beverage-stores-beer-wine-liquor/523567-1.html "Windsor Vineyards Sold"
  5. News: Fisher . Lawrence M. . 2000-08-30 . Foster Deal to Buy Beringer Puts Other Wineries in Play . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-10-30 . 0362-4331.
  6. Rauber, Chris. "Vintner Patrick Roney buys Windsor Vineyards from Foster's Group", The San Francisco Business Times, 2007-04-19. Retrieved on 2008-07-21
  7. Web site: Vintage Wine Estates files for bankruptcy. Broadbent. Jessica. July 24, 2024. July 24, 2024. Just Drinks. en.