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 Geyser Peak Winery was founded in 1880 by one of Sonoma County's pioneer winemakers, Augustus Quitzow. He constructed a winery with a 20,000-gallon capacity on a hillside across from Geyser Peak Mountain in 1882. In 1887, Edward Walden & Company purchased Geyser Peak Winery and 80 acres of vineyards for $10,000. They had been importers of French brandy and were determined to make brandy at Geyser Peak. By 1890, they used 1,800 tons of grapes and made 5,400 gallons of brandy, some of which was exported to Europe. Edward Walden enjoyed great success in 1890, but by 1908 he suffered financial losses and lost the winery by default to Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank. The bank leased the winery to O.J. LeBaron and W. S. Kelly, who operated it under the name, Geyser Peak Winery. By 1910, a partnership was formed and the Ciocca Lombardi Wine Company of San Francisco took over. They expanded the winery and made it one of the largest and best equipped in the entire state. In 1937, Italy Industries, founded by the Bagnani family took over and Geyser Peak became Redwood Empire Wines. In 1945, Redwood Empire Wines ceased operation and American Industries continued the production of bulk wines at Geyser Peak until the Bagnanis sold out to the Schlitz Brewery Corporation of Milwaukee in November 1972. The Schlitz era was one of great expansion. Three brands were created: the Geyser Peak label for varietal wines, the Voltaire brand of moderately priced varietals, and Summit for popular priced generic wines. The emphasis was put on the Summit four-liter bag-in-a-box concept, which grew in a few years to sales over one million cases, making Geyser Peak Winery the ninth largest winery in California. In 1980, Schlitz Brewery sold out to Stroh's Brewery Company, who had no desire to stay in the wine business. They sold the winery and 500 acres of vineyards in the Alexander Valley to the Trione family of Santa Rosa in 1982. The Trione family sold the Summit brand in 1985 in order to concentrate on the older Geyser Peak brand with its superb vineyards. By 1989, Geyser Peak became one of the top producers in California. Also in 1989, winemaker Daryl Groom known for his premium wine making in Australia was hired. Later he brought over winemaker Mick Shroeter to help transform Geyser Peak to one of the most highly awarded wineries in the world. Henry Trione owns vineyards in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley, Russian River, as well as in the Benmore Valley of Lake County, and Mendocino County. In the summer of 1998, he decided to sell the wine business to Jim Beam Brands Co. and continues to provide us with superb wine grapes. Geyser Peak Winery is located outside the town of Geyserville in the Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California. The winery buildings total 150,000 square feet with capacity for storage of 2.5 million gallons and crush capacity of 8,000 tons. The Winery produces about 600,000 cases annually. |
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All sizes are 750mL unless otherwise noted.
Vintages and ratings subject to change at any time.
All pricing and availability subject to change.
