Sapphire wines picks up two more brands

FRANKLIN — Franklin-based Sapphire Wines has purchased two wineries in California, adding a pinot noir to its offerings.

Sapphire takes immediate ownership of the Carneros Creek and Wildhurst wine brands, which were owned by Briarcliff Wine Group. Sapphire purchased the Eos Estate Winery in 2007.

“I think that in today’s market place there are a lot of opportunities out there,” Sapphire CEO Jeff Hopmayer said. “Sapphire is well positioned to seize on those opportunities. The wine business and where we’re at is growing.”

Hopmayer declined to say how much Sapphire paid for the wineries. He said the company is looking to purchase another wine brand in northern California.
Hopmayer said Sapphire’s sales in February were 100 percent above sales in Feb. 2007.

Carneros Creek is known for its world-class pinot noir, including Grail Pinot Noir and Carneros Reserve Pinot Noir. The Carneros district is located in Napa, Calif. on the north shore of the San Francisco Bay.

“When you look at the current offerings that Sapphire has today we don’t have a pinot,” Hopmayer said. “Carneros Creek is tremendously well known for its pinot noir.”

The Wildhurst label includes cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, merlot, sauvignon blanc and syrah from grapes grown in the Lake County region of California.
The transaction was finalized today.