Chappellet Vineyard & Winery in St. Helena acquired the Sonoma-Loeb brand

Chappellet Vineyard & Winery in St. Helena acquired the Sonoma-Loeb brand, which has been made at Chappellet for two decades.

Sonoma-Loeb produces wine made from Sonoma County and Los Carneros chardonnays and a Russian River Valley pinot noir.

Sonoma-Loeb, which produced about 8,500 cases a year, was founded by Ambassador John L. Loeb Jr., who began growing grapes in Sonoma County in 1973.

Ambassador Loeb offered to sell his brand to the Chappellet family, who have run the Chappellet Vineyard & Winery since 1967.

"After a long and satisfying run in the wine industry, I am delighted that Chappellet has decided to buy the company," said Loeb Jr., a former ambassador to Denmark and delegate to the United Nations.

Phillip Corallo-Titus, who is the longtime winemaker for Chappellet, will continue making wines for Sonoma-Loeb and Chappellet.

Chappellet is a Napa Valley winery with a focus on Bordeaux varietals. Sonoma-Loeb specializes in Burgundian varietals from Sonoma County.

"As a family-run winery, we feel honored that John has entrusted the future of Sonoma-Loeb to us," said Cyril Chappellet, owner and managing director of Chappellet.

The purchase of Sonoma-Loeb is the first acquisition in the 44-year history of Chappellet, and the winery is not actively seeking to acquire any additional brands or wineries, according to the company.