Howard Rossbach Sells Firesteed

Firesteed founder Howard Rossbach has reached an agreement to sell the Oregon-based brand and winery in a multi-part deal with Vintage Wine Estates and Pacific Rim & Company.  In a related transaction, Mickey and Jeanne Flynn have agreed to sell the historic 30 acre Flynn Vineyard adjacent to the Firesteed Winery to Pacific Rim & Company. Rossbach will retain the Citation brand and Erratic Oaks Vineyard.

“We feel fortunate to have found such a good steward to carry the Firesteed line of wines into the future,” commented Rossbach.

“After more than 40 years in the wine business, I’ll now be able to refocus on my passion for our ultra premium offerings under the Citation label, while continuing to manage our exquisite Erratic Oaks vineyard, producing some of the finest wine grapes in region.”

The transaction gives Vintage Wine Estates its first fine wine brand from Oregon state, as well as several key long-term grape sources in particular grapes from the 90-acre Firesteed Estate Vineyard in the Willamette Valley and 202-acre Erratic Oaks Vineyard in nearby Dallas, Oregon.

Through a separate purchase by Pacific Rim & Company of the physical winery and 30 acres of surrounding vineyards, its Rainstorm brand has a new home in the Willamette Valley. Production of Rainstorm Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Silver Linings Rosé at the Rickreall, OR location will start with the 2017 harvest.

Source: Vintage Wine Estates

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