Château Smith Haut Lafitte acquires a Napa Valley vineyard

Château Smith Haut Lafitte finalizes the purchase of a historic Napa Valley estate

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte has just announced the acquisition of a historic California winery located in Rutherford. This vineyard, which until now was part of Flora Spring Winery, was founded in 1885 by two Scottish brothers, James & William Rennie. It is nestled in the foothills of the Mayacamas mountains (Napa Valley AVA, close to Mt. Veeder) and extends over 25 hectares of vineyards surrounded by a hundred hectares of forest. “This area is perfectly located to meet the qualitative expectations of excellence that we have”

Daniel and Florence Cathiard, owner of Château Smith Haut Lafitte will put all their experience at the service of this Napa Valley estate.

Since its acquisition by these two ski champions thirty years ago, Château Smith Haut Lafitte has risen among the greatest Bordeaux Grands Crus. The Cathiard family wishes to apply the same principles/requirements that made their success in Bordeaux to this historic Rutherford estate: low yields, organic farming and precision as well as careful vinification with increased vigilance in all the winemaking details that are essential to the creation of high quality wines. “We are convinced that the estate will produce elegant, complex, powerful and racy wines. “For this they will be assisted by Fabien Teitgen (technical director / oenologist of Smith Haut Lafitte) and Ben Morken for viticulture and winemaking.

The purchase does not include the Flora Springs brand, which will be kept by the Komes and Garvey families, who will move their production to a nearby winery to continue their activities.