Seely adds Napa winery to AXA Millésimes portfolio

By Andrew Catchpole

Published: 24 July, 2018

AXA Millésimes, which owns leading wineries in Bordeaux, Burgundy, The Douro and Tokaj, has announced the acquisition of Outpost Wines on Howell Mountain in Napa Valley.

The estate, which was built up by Frank and Kathy Dotzler following the purchase of the then True Vineyards property in 1998, majors on Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines that, says AXA Millésimes managing director Christian Seely, compliment the “noblest expressions of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape in Bordeaux”.

Seely confirmed that AXA Millésimes has been scouting for a suitable acquisition in Napa for some time, saying: “…we have been searching for a vineyard property in Napa Valley capable of making wines with the dimension of greatness that we are looking for, and we were thrilled to come across the wines and the vineyards of Outpost Wines a few months ago.”

The Dotzler family, along with current winemaker Thomas Brown and other key staff, will continue to work with AXA Millésimes at the winery.

““With the purchase of True Vineyard in 1998, Kathy and I embarked on a wonderful journey to try and make wines on the level of the great wines we had experienced from around the world. Together with our exceptional staff, we have made great strides in achieving that goal,” said Frank Dotzler.

“In the hopes of taking our wines to even greater heights, Kathy and I have decided to add Outpost Wines to the exquisite line up at AXA Millésimes.”

The off-shoot of French insurance giant AXA counts such estates as Château Pichon Baron in Bordeaux, Quinta do Noval in Portugal, Domaine d’Arlot in Burgundy and Disnoko in Hungary in its portfolio.

“I am delighted that they have agreed to sell the property to AXA Millésimes, and that Outpost Wines can now join the family of exceptional vineyards that we own and manage,” said Seely.

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