From Lewis Platt’s Vision to AXA Millésimes’ First Estate Wines

Located in the prestigious West Sonoma Coast AVA, less than ten kilometers from the Pacific Ocean, Platt Vineyard is today recognized as one of California’s most promising sites for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Its story is one of bold vision, an extraordinary terroir, and a new chapter now unfolding under AXA Millésimes.

From Lewis Platt’s Vision to an Iconic Terroir

The vineyard was established in 2003 by Lewis E. Platt, former CEO of Hewlett Packard and a lifelong wine enthusiast. Together with his wife Joan, he acquired land in the Freestone-Occidental area and gradually planted over 12 hectares of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Platt worked with renowned winemakers such as David Ramey, Fred Scherrer, and Eric Sussman, who advised on clone and rootstock selection.

Platt passed away in 2005, before he could see the results of his project, but the vineyard continued to thrive under Joan’s guidance. From the very first vintage in 2006, the fruit was in high demand and, within a few years, Platt Vineyard became one of California’s most prestigious and sought-after sources of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

AXA Millésimes Steps In

After being sold to a local wine investment fund in 2015, AXA Millésimes acquired Platt Vineyard in 2022 with the goal of producing its own wines directly on-site. Founded in 1987, AXA Millésimes owns world-class estates across France, Portugal, Hungary, and Napa Valley. The purchase of Platt fits seamlessly into its strategy of acquiring the greatest vineyard sites in their respective regions.

Since 2023, no fruit has been sold externally: all grapes are vinified under the Platt Vineyard label, with the first estate wines—vintage 2023—scheduled for release in 2025.

A Unique West Sonoma Coast Terroir

Today, Platt Vineyard covers 17.4 hectares, ranging from 130 to 244 meters in elevation, divided into 32 parcels. The soils, part of the ancient Wilson Grove Formation, are composed of the famed Goldridge sandy loam—fine-grained, well-drained, and perfectly suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The microclimate is shaped by the Pacific Ocean: cool days, mild nights, frequent fog, and ocean breezes create slow ripening, vibrant acidity, and remarkable aromatic complexity. Surrounded by centuries-old redwoods and thriving biodiversity, the vineyard enjoys a setting of natural beauty that profoundly influences its wines.

The Platt Vineyard Wines

The portfolio focuses on two grape varieties, each showcasing the terroir’s purity and energy:

• Estate Chardonnay: vibrant, saline, with citrus and orchard fruit aromas.

• Estate Reserve Chardonnay: complex and concentrated, marked by floral notes and mineral tension.

• Estate Pinot Noir: fresh and energetic, with red and blue berry notes, precise and elegant.

• Estate Reserve Pinot Noir: structured and profound, dominated by the Calera clone, with long aging potential.

Looking Ahead

With its entry into the West Sonoma Coast Vintners Association in 2024 and the launch of its first estate wines in 2025, Platt Vineyard is poised to write a new chapter in California winemaking.

As Christian Seely, Managing Director of AXA Millésimes, notes:

“We are delighted to present the first wines entirely produced from Platt Vineyard. They represent not only the realization of Lewis Platt’s vision, but also the beginning of a new adventure on the Sonoma Coast.”