Artesa began in Los Carneros in 1991 as Codorníu Napa, a winery founded by Spain’s Raventós Codorníu with a focus on sparkling wine. The winery’s history says the estate later shifted toward premium still wines and adopted the Artesa name in 1998; its current range includes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo and Albariño, according to Artesa’s website.
Jean-Charles Boisset has acquired the winery from Raventós Codorníu. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the price was not disclosed and that the deal includes Artesa’s existing wine inventory. The Chronicle also reported that Boisset had pursued the acquisition for 13 years and traveled to Spain during that effort.
Production plans and ownership context
Boisset plans to bring sparkling-wine production back to the estate while continuing its Spanish-style wines, the Chronicle reported. He also plans to add cooler-climate Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and wants the property to develop further as an arts destination. The Chronicle reported that visitors will be able to find Artesa wines alongside sparkling wines from Boisset’s JCB collection.
Raventós Codorníu Group CEO Sergio Fuster said in a statement, as reported by the Chronicle, that the company believed Boisset could lead the winery’s next stage. The winery’s history provides context for the planned return to sparkling wine: its original Codorníu Napa mission centered on that style before the later shift toward still wines.
A growing winery portfolio
Boisset’s existing holdings include Raymond Vineyards, Buena Vista, DeLoach Vineyards, Oakville Grocery and Elizabeth Spencer Winery, the Chronicle reported. The Press Democrat reported that Boisset Collection bought Elizabeth Spencer in December 2021 for an undisclosed price. That purchase included the winery’s inventory and its Rutherford facility, a historic 1872 post office building; Elizabeth Pressler and Spencer Graham founded the winery in 1998.
