Santa Margherita Gruppo Vinicolo, a prominent Italian wine group owned by the Marzotto family, has further solidified its presence in Oregon's esteemed Willamette Valley wine region with the acquisition of Marsh Estate.
This move builds on its January 2022 purchase of the celebrated Roco Winery, marking yet another milestone in the group’s strategic expansion into the U.S. market.
A Strategic Addition: Marsh Estate
Located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, Marsh Estate spans 21 hectares of prime vineyard land at an elevation of 103 meters. The property, already certified under the “LIVE” sustainable viticulture protocol, offers sweeping 360-degree views of the surrounding Dundee Hills and Savannah Ridge. This acquisition positions Santa Margherita to expand Roco Winery’s footprint significantly, enhancing its production capabilities while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability.
Andrea Conzonato, CEO of Santa Margherita Gruppo Vinicolo, emphasized the importance of this purchase, stating:
“This further acquisition reconfirms our belief in the potential of the Willamette Valley and Oregon wine production. By integrating our expertise, we aim to grow Roco Winery’s production capacity in both quality and quantity, with ambitious goals for business expansion. The market signals, especially for sparkling wine and Pinot Noir, are very encouraging and align with the tastes of new consumers.”
Roco Winery: A Shining Star
Founded in 2003 by Rollin Soles and Corby Stonebraker-Soles, Roco Winery has garnered widespread acclaim for its exceptional wines. Known for its sparkling wines, elegant Pinot Noirs, and refined Chardonnays, Roco has received over 100 scores above 90/100 from leading wine publications in the past decade.
A crowning achievement came in 2024 when its 2013 RMS Brut Delayed Disgorgement Metodo Classico was named one of the world’s 100 best wines by Wine Enthusiast. This recognition underscores the Willamette Valley’s rising prominence as a global leader in sparkling wine production.
A Growing Legacy
Santa Margherita Gruppo Vinicolo’s acquisition of Roco Winery marked its first venture outside Italy, showcasing the group’s dedication to international growth. With ten estates spread across Italy’s premier wine regions—from Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige to Sicily and Sardinia—the company reported a robust turnover of over €255 million in 2023.
Adding Marsh Estate to its portfolio reflects Santa Margherita’s commitment to investing in the Willamette Valley's potential. The region’s climate, often compared to that of Burgundy, is ideal for Pinot Noir and sparkling wine production. By leveraging the terroir’s unique qualities and integrating its winemaking expertise, Santa Margherita aims to elevate Roco Winery’s profile further.
Source: WineNews