California's Robert Mondavi Corp has put 405 hectares (ha) of its Central Coast vineyards on the market.

The asking price of $38.5 million will include the former Byron Winery, which was built in 1984 and converted into offices and a visitor centre in 1996 on completion of a new winemaking facility. The grapes from the vineyards, located in the Santa Maria region of the Central Coast, are largely used to produce Mondavi’s Coastal brand.

‘We are selling non-strategic acreage and a facility that is no longer in use,’ says Andrea Lowen, a spokesperson for Mondavi. ‘The move is an extension of a restructuring that began last year and reflects a focus on the company’s core brands. The Byron brand and original estate vineyards are not for sale.’

It was only a fortnight ago that Mondavi increased its stake in Tuscany’s Ornellaia – a deal that is reported to have cost the company somewhere in the region of $17 million.

Written by Natasha Hughes3 April 2002

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Natasha Hughes MW
Natasha Hughes MW
Decanter Magazine, Wine Writer

Natasha Hughes MW began her career in the wine trade as deputy editor of Decanter.com. She left the magazine in 2001 and has since enjoyed a thriving freelance career as a writer and consultant. Writing about wine and food, Hughes has contributed to specialist publications across the world, and has acted as a consultant to private clients, wineries and restaurants. In addition, she hosts wine seminars and tastings, and has judged globally at wine competitions. Hughes graduated as a Master of Wine in 2014, winning four out of the seven available prizes at graduation, including the Outstanding Achievement Award.