Celebrated Napa Valley Label Joins Growing Portfolio of Luxury Wineries and Vineyards
NAPA, Calif. (May 17, 2023) – Brion Wise, proprietor of BRION and B. Wise Vineyards, today announces the acquisition of Mark Herold Wines. Founded by Mark Herold, one of California’s most respected winemakers and consultants, his namesake project now joins an established, critically acclaimed portfolio that includes B. Wise Vineyards and BRION – two Sonoma and Napa Valley wineries for which Herold has already been consulting for 13 years.
This acquisition allows Herold to go back to what he loves most – winemaking – while providing growth opportunities for Mark Herold Wines under Wise’s management, all while furthering Wise’s commitment to producing the most authentic, high-quality wines possible.
Central to the continued success of Mark Herold Wines, Herold will remain in charge of winemaking and be the principal of operations at the winery. Wise and his team will work to highlight the winery’s cult-collector label, Mastodon; a large format, Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon priced at $750 a bottle. An additional focus will be on the growth of Uproar, a more approachable Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon priced at $75 a bottle.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Mark Herold Wines to our collection of vineyards and wineries,” says Wise. “This acquisition is a natural step in our relationship with Mark who has been a part of the BRION and B. Wise family for over a decade. Mastodon, along with the impressive lineup within the entire portfolio Mark has established, complements our own aim to produce world class single vineyard designate wines of terroir-driven authenticity. We look forward to continuing our wonderful partnership with Mark and growing this exquisite brand.”
For decades, Wise has been a pioneering investor in Sonoma County and Napa Valley vineyards, wineries, distilleries, and hospitality properties including B. Wise Vineyards, Amapola Creek Winery, BRION, Wisdom, Ronda and now, Mark Herold Wines. His belief that winemakers’ individual artistic style is essential to the terroir story of every vineyard means that his wineries are known to tap some of the top winemakers and viticulturists for the various vineyards in Wise’s portfolio – often using separate consultants for different vineyards within the same label.
Wise’s investments include wine country holdings spanning Sonoma County from his Moon Mountain District home base (where he also lives) to Fort Ross-Seaview as well as Cyrus Restaurant in Geyserville. In Napa Valley, his investments and partnerships include BRION at Sleeping Lady Vineyard in Yountville, the Vineyards of Upper Range between Rutherford and Pritchard Hill, Wise Caldwell Distillers (focusing on Constable Whiskey), and Caldwell Vineyard in Coombsville. Later in 2023 and new to the U.S. Market, Wise is excited to introduce Grand Cru Champagnes under the BRION and B. Wise Vineyards brands. Wise also invests in talented winemakers and coopers, providing them with the tools they need to craft the best, most authentic wines possible. Acquiring Mark Herold Wines enables Herold to do just that.
“I’m a scientist by education and an artist by nature,” says Herold. “My preference is walking the vineyards, working closely with growers, running the lab, and making wine. Over the years I’ve realized being behind a computer or in a sales meeting is not where my heart is. I have had the pleasure of working with Brion Wise for many years now and I have always admired his tenacity for the wine business. From vineyard to bottle, Brion is a crucial part of the winemaking process, and we share the same vision for the brand, so I believe he is the perfect person to pass the baton to. I will continue to be just as involved as I have always been by making the wines, working the vineyards, and traveling for events. Brion’s ability to anchor Mark Herold Wines with a home base, both winery and vineyards, is incredibly exciting!”
The Mark Herold Wines tasting room in Napa will remain open to the public. Guests are also invited to experience Herold’s style of winemaking at BRION and the B. Wise Loft at the Sleeping Lady Vineyard in Yountville, as well as in the B. Wise Tasting Lounge on Highway 12 in Kenwood. Appointments can be made by visiting https://www.brionwines.com/ or https://www.bwisevineyards.com/.
About BRION
BRION, located on Sleeping Lady Vineyard just south of downtown Yountville, sits at the base of Mount Veeder in a region that is synonymous with the finest Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The extraordinary 110-acre property encompasses a restored ‘bank’ barn, one of two in California dating back to 1876. The 8,400 square-foot gravity flow winery is dedicated solely to the vinification of BRION wines. The winery was built to ensure that every step of the winemaking process measures up to BRION’s exacting standards and to afford its team of winemakers every resource needed to make the best possible wines from these vineyards. The BRION wines are currently made available via allocation twice yearly. BRION can be reached by calling 707.339.7686 or visiting www.brionwines.com.
About B. Wise Vineyards
B. Wise Vineyards is a grower, producer, and purveyor of fine wine with holdings in the Sonoma and Napa Valleys. Founded in 2002, the winery is located in Sonoma on Moon Mountain with additional properties at the B. Wise Tasting Lounge located on Highway 12 in Kenwood and at the B. Wise Loft at BRION in Yountville.
