Andretti Winery
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| Andretti Winery | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Napa, California, USA |
| Appellation | Napa Valley AVA |
| Founded | 1996 |
| First vintage | 1996 |
| Key people | Mario Andretti, Founder; Joe Antonini, Founder and CEO |
| Parent company | Andretti Wine Group |
| Cases/yr | 42,000 (2007) |
| Known for | Cabernet Sauvignon Andretti Reserve |
| Varietals | Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sauvignon blanc, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Pinot grigio, Pinot noir |
| Other products | Port, Sparkling Wine, Memorabilia |
| Distribution | international distribution, wine club, on-site sales |
| Tasting | by appointment |
| Website | http://www.andrettiwinery.com/ |
Andretti Winery is a boutique winery in the Oak Knoll District of Napa, California.
Racing driver Mario Andretti's interest in the wine business arose from a commemorative bottling of wine he marketed to celebrate his retirement from auto racing in 1994.[1] Two years later Andretti and longtime friend Joe Antonini, former CEO of Kmart (which had sponsored Andretti's racing team) purchased a 53-acre (210,000 m2) vineyard and winery in the far north part of Napa, California, where they built a Tuscan-themed winery, tasting room, and guesthouse.[1] The property was under development as a winery at the time, with wine under production by the former owners.[2]
In 2001 the company sold the land to a Napa farming group. The winery then leased back the tasting room and events center. The company has no ownership stake in the nearby vineyards.[citation needed]
The winery is operated by a public company, Andretti Wine Group, that the founders formed in a reverse public shell merger in 1995. It raised $3 million via a public offering in 1998, but is no longer publicly traded.[3]
In 2021, the winery on Big Ranch Road closed and announced plans to open at a different location.[4]
Wines
Bob Pepi, co-founder of Pepi Winery and owner of the "Eponymous" winery,[5] has been winemaker since the winery opened in 1996.[6] The winery produces a wide variety of "super-premium" wines from grapes grown on-site and sourced from various locations in California. It also resells a small quantity of wine imported from Italy.[1]