Delicato Family Vineyards Purchases Historic Santa Lucia Highlands Vineyard

"Opportunities like this don't come along often and our family is honored to carry on Jerry McFarland's legacy within theMonterey winegrowing community with the acquisition of River Road Vineyard," said Jay Indelicato, COO, Delicato Family Vineyards. "We couldn't have found a better complement to our existing vineyards as we continue to grow our luxury wine programs."

"River Road Vineyard is the crown jewel of the Santa Lucia Highlands and a special place for our family where we source fruit for our McFarland wines, nearly 50 years after Jerry first planted it," said Stephanie McFarland, wife of the late Jerry McFarland. "A lot of people have asked about River Road, but we wanted it to be in the right hands. Not only does the Indelicato family have a longtime history growing grapes in Monterey, they also share the same dedication to long-term stewardship of the land as our family. We are confident that Delicato Family Vineyards will bring River Road to its highest potential for many more generations to come."

River Road Vineyard is located at the northern end of Santa Lucia Highlands classified as cold Region I, where ocean breezes create superior cool-climate Burgundian varieties Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It borders Sleepy Hollow Vineyard to the north and west, which McFarland also originally planted the same year as River Road.

The transfer of the property was a private transaction between the two families. The McFarland family will continue to source fruit for their wines from River Road Vineyard. The acquisition diversifies the Indelicato family's Monterey vineyard holdings, which include San Bernabe Vineyard in Monterey's San Bernabe sub-appellation.