The historic Flora Springs Winery, founded in 1978 in California’s Napa Valley, has been sold by its founding families, Komes and Garvey, to Jean-Charles Boisset and Gina Gallo-Boisset. The acquisition includes the winery, the Flora Springs Winery brand, and the striking tasting room located on Highway 29 in St. Helena.
In 2020, the previous owners sold the associated land, including approximately 23 ha/ 60 ac of vineyards, to Daniel and Florence Cathiard, proprietors of Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte in Bordeaux. Following that sale, Flora Springs reduced its production by about half, focusing on direct-to-consumer sales.
Flora Springs was established on the grounds of two ‘ghost wineries’ dating back to the 1880s. The winery gained early success with Cabernet Sauvignon and is known for the Bordeaux-style blend Trilogy, first released in 1984, which remains a Napa Valley classic. The tasting room, inspired by Antoni Gaudí, is one of the region’s most distinctive landmarks.
Outgoing general manager Nat Komes will now focus on Jon Nathaniel Cellars, the family’s boutique winery in Rutherford.
The buyers represent two of California’s most influential wine families. Jean-Charles Boisset, born in Burgundy’s Vougeot, heads the Boisset Collection, which encompasses over 30 wineries and wine houses across France (including Bouchard Aîné & Fils, Mommesin, and Ropiteau Frères) and California (such as DeLoach Vineyards, Buena Vista Winery, and Wappo Hill). Gina Gallo-Boisset, granddaughter of Gallo co-founder Julio Gallo, oversees vineyard operations for Gallo of Sonoma and serves as winemaker for the Gallo Signature Series.
Both families' companies have made significant acquisitions in recent years. E. & J.Gallo, the U.S. market leader, added Rombauer Vineyards and Massican to its portfolio in 2023. However, the purchase of Flora Springs, which will remain independent, marks the first winery project to be the first such move by the couple. This recent article by Felicity Carter points out why Flora Springs' high proportion of DTC sales may be relevant to this decision.
Enrico Bertoz, Flora Springs’ winemaker since 2008, will continue to lead wine production. “Flora Springs,” said Jean-Charles Boisset, “not only has an impeccable history of wine quality, but the family also made a conscious decision to establish themselves as a small, well-positioned winery in Napa Valley. We intend to take their exceptional wines to a new dimension.” SP
