HEALDSBURG, Calif. (October 2, 2019) — Vérité, the highly acclaimed winery based in Sonoma County, today announced the construction of its new winery, which broke ground in early spring of 2019, at the winery’s current location in Healdsburg, California. The wines of Vérité, French for “truth,” are the result of a combination of old-world experience and new-world fruit. The new winery will unite these two inspirations and celebrate its Californian and French heritage.
The winery, designed by Nicolas Seillan, Vice President of Jackson Family Wines, and Taylor Lombardo Architects of San Francisco, will be built over the next several years in a three-phased plan to ensure the continuity of winemaking. The first phase is slated for completion in the fall of 2020 and consists of a barrel chai and hospitality space. Phase two will focus on a new winemaking facility, and phase three will include the “Maison du Vigneron,” with production offices, areas for winemaker tastings and blending, and a reception space. The final phase will also include an enclosed cloister—inspired by church cloisters in the southwest of France—to represent the simplicity and humility of a Vigneron’s work. Nicolas Seillan notes, “This area is meant to be a spiritual space where one can think and experience the transmission of knowledge.”
Founded in 1998 by wine industry visionary Jess Jackson, Vérité was brought to life when Jackson asked Vigneron Pierre Seillan to leave Bordeaux and join him in creating a new dream—an estate dedicated to the timeless winemaking traditions of France with the limitless possibilities of Sonoma County’s diverse landscape. Inspired by the great wines of Bordeaux, Jackson and Seillan collaborated to create three distinct blends—La Muse, La Joie and Le Désir. Each wine represents an expression of the diversity of Sonoma County. La Muse is a Merlot-based blend that captures elegance and grace. La Joie, comprised primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon, is powerful and bold. Le Désir represents Cabernet Franc and its many intricacies, nuances and depth.
“From the moment Jess and I met Pierre, we knew we had the opportunity to create something unique and everlasting,” said Barbara Banke, Chairman and Proprietor of Jackson Family Wines. “We knew the terroir in Sonoma County had the potential to create world-class wine. Pierre saw that potential too, and it was with this shared vision that our dream for Vérité became a reality.” Adds Banke, “It is our hope that the continued success and evolution of Vérité, with the opening of the new winery, will be a source of inspiration for this generation and the next.”
The site chosen is next to the current winery facility, atop a grassy knoll that offers 360-degree views of the Chalk Hill region. The view helps tell the story of Vérité and Sonoma County as visitors look out and see the hillside and mountain vineyards surrounding the region.
“Our goal was to design a timeless property that represents the wine and honors the relationship between our two families” said Nicolas Seillan, who also designed the chai at Château Lassègue in Saint-Émilion, where his family is partners with the Jackson family.
About Vérité
Since 1998, Vérité has produced premium Bordeaux blends from some of the best vineyard sites in Sonoma County. The wines are a marriage of old-world expertise and new-world fruit, crafted by 6th generation French winemaker Pierre Seillan along with his daughter and assistant winemaker Hélène Seillan. Pierre and Hélène take the utmost care with every step of the viticultural and winemaking process, working closely with each vineyard manager to farm each block precisely. Vérité produces three wines: La Muse, a Merlot-based blend, La Joie, a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend, and Le Désir, a Cabernet Franc-based blend. Vérité wines are made for longevity and can mature beautifully for decades.
Learn more at www.veritewines.com
