Bill Price introduces Price Family Vineyards & Estates: Iconic wineries and vineyards come together in one portfolio
Bill Price, a passionate member of the wine industry since 1997, with two decades of strategic investments in vineyards, wineries and long-term winemaker partnerships, is pleased to announce the formation of Price Family Vineyards & Estates. Previously called Classic Wines LLC, Price Family Vineyards & Estates underscores Price’s deep, personal commitment to the best sites and expressions of New World Burgundian style wines in California.
Price Family Vineyards & Estates includes ownership, management and farming of Sonoma Coast vineyards. The vineyard portfolio includes approximately 370 planted acres including Durell Vineyard, Gap’s Crown Vineyard, Walala Vineyard, One Sky Vineyard, and other select Sonoma County vineyards in development. The Price Family Vineyards & Estates family of wineries includes Three Sticks, LUTUM and Head High, with active interests in Kistler Vineyards and Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery.
Price’s partnership strategy is to work with winemakers who have defined individual styles of winemaking that are maintained with each vintage, and expression of land. He believes that this commitment to specific style lets one perfect their identity as a winemaker while also allowing them to stand out in the marketplace.
Though he was introduced to wine at an early age by his father, Price’s first professional foray into the wine industry wasn’t until 1995, when a private equity firm he co-founded, Texas Pacific Group (TPG), purchased Beringer. Under Price’s leadership, TPG continued to invest in wineries, including Chateau St. Jean, which sourced grapes from the Durell Vineyard in Sonoma and critically acclaimed Kosta Browne winery. As a long-time admirer of wines from the Durell Vineyard, Price purchased the property from Ed Durell in 1997, and launched Three Sticks Wines in 2002. In 2007, he left TPG and entered the wine business full-time. He was soon approached by Steve Kistler to partner with him, and Price’s pursuit of site specific farming and crafting fine wines was honed.
“I longed to return to something that brought me back in touch with the natural world on a regular basis,” says Price. “Working with exceptional vineyard properties to grow the very best grapes, and partnering with talented winemakers is what I am passionate about.”
Today, Price Family Vineyards & Estates includes the following wineries and vineyards:
Three Sticks Wines is a boutique winery led by veteran winemaker Bob Cabral. Founded by Bill and Eva Price in 2002, Three Sticks focuses on small-lot Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from its “home” vineyard sites, including Durell Vineyard, Gap’s Crown Vineyard, Walala Vineyard, and other prime sites in Sonoma County.
For more information: Three Sticks Wines
LUTUM came to fruition in 2011 through a shared vision between Bill Price and winemaker Gavin Chanin (Chanin Wine Co.). LUTUM focuses on elegant and restrained single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from excellent vineyard sites in Sonoma and Santa Barbara County.
For more information: LUTUM Wines
Head High is a surf-inspired wine brand founded in 2015 by Bill Price and winemaker Sam Spencer. Price and Spencer’s shared enthusiasm for Pinot Noir, surfing and the outdoors provides an important blueprint when producing wines that, above all else, provoke unexpected exploration. The winery represents the power and beauty of nature that is the Sonoma Coast through the connection between surfing and winemaking. For every two bottles sold of its Rosé, Red Blend or Pinot Noir, $1.00 is donated to the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation and Sustainable Surf.
For more information: Head High Wines
Durell Vineyard: Purchased in 1997, Bill Price is co-owner of the vineyard that straddles Sonoma Valley, Sonoma Coast and Carneros AVAs. The total planted acreage is 170 acres all farmed contiguously – 120 acres are directed by Bill Price and 50 acres directed by Price’s ex-wife, Ellie Price. Mountain, bay and ocean influences combined with Durell’s rocky, volcanic soils make it an ideal location for growing premium grapes. 17 wineries make single-vineyard wine with grapes from Durell Vineyard.
Gap’s Crown Vineyard: Bill Price purchased this site in 2012 along with a group of investors. Price is the primary owner/investor and manager of the vineyard. The 406 acre parcel is planted to 106 acres of Pinot Noir and 32 acres of Chardonnay. Located on the western slope of Sonoma Mountain, the vineyard boasts soil that is well-drained and mostly loam and clay loam, with cooling effects from both wind and fog, and excellent western exposure. 18 wineries make single-vineyard wine with grapes from Gap’s Crown Vineyard.
Walala Vineyard: Bill Price purchased this property in 2014 with partner Atlas Vineyard Management. The vineyard is elevated on a perch located 1,200 feet overlooking the Pacific Ocean on the Sonoma Coast. Atlas Vineyard Management planted the vineyard in 2005. Only 17 acres out of the 97.5 acres are planted. The remaining land is undeveloped for conservation purposes (forests). A handful of wineries make single-vineyard wine with grapes from Walala Vineyard.
Stoetz Lane Vineyard: Bill Price purchased this property in 2014. Located in Sebastopol, this 20 acre vineyard is currently in development. Rootstock will be planted in spring 2016 with field budding to happen in 2017. Final decisions on variety and clones are still being determined.
One Sky Vineyard: Bill Price purchased this property in 2012 and planted it in 2013. The 10.9 acre vineyard is planted to 3 acres of Chardonnay and 8 acres of Pinot Noir, and it is located at the very top of Sonoma Mountain, on the eastern facing slope.
Tripp Vineyard: Bill Price purchased this property in 2011 and has been developing the vineyard ever since. The first fruit will come in 2016. It is a 6.5 acre vineyard located in Western Sonoma County and it is planted to Pinot Noir.
DuPont Vineyard: Bill Price purchased this property in late 2008, and planted it in 2010. It is a 5.5 acre vineyard with 3.5 acres planted to Pinot Noir and 2 acres planted to Chardonnay. It is located in Western Sonoma County.