Updated Jan. 15, 10 a.m.
The owners of Williams Selyem, one of Sonoma s best-known Pinot Noir producers, announced that they have sold a minority stake in the winery to the Faiveley family of Burgundy s Domaine Faiveley. The price and share of ownership were not disclosed.
John and Kathe Dyson plan to maintain control of the winery for at least the next three years, at which point they will reexamine the partnership. The Faiveleys will then have an opportunity to acquire a larger stake or even full control of the winery. No changes are expected in the day-to-day operations. Williams Selyem director of winemaking Jeff Mangahas and other key employees will remain.
Legendary California winery Williams Selyem will hand over control to a French producer
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Williams Selyem started as a wine project made in a garage in Fulton.Rachel Bujalski / Special to The ChronicleShow MoreShow Less
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Williams Selyem makes a few wines other than Pinot Noir, such as this late-harvest Gewurztraminer.Craig Lee / Special to The Chronicle 2011Show MoreShow Less
One of the most famous Pinot Noir producers from California is preparing to hand over control to one of the most famous Pinot Noir producers from France. On Wednesday, Williams Selyem Winery in Healdsburg announced that the Faiveley family, of Domaine Faiveley in France’s Burgundy region, has purchased a minority stake. A price was not disclosed.
Burgundian estate Domaine Faiveley has acquired a stake in Sonoma property Williams Selyem, with owners John and Kathe Dyson saying they have found the “perfect partner” to tranfer ownership to in the future.
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Williams Selyem will change hands for a second time.Peter DaSilva / The Chronicle 2006
We’re two weeks into the new year, and already there’s been a lot of merger-acquisition news in the California wine industry. Following O’Neill Vintners’ purchase of Rabble Wines and an $810 million handoff of value-price wine brands from Constellation to Gallo, we learned yesterday of a big change at one of America’s most beloved and prestigious wineries: Williams Selyem, of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir fame, has sold a minority stake to Burgundy’s Faiveley family.