Houlihan Lokey Advises Far Niente Wine Estates

Houlihan Lokey, along with Richard Mendelson, served as the exclusive financial advisor to Far Niente Wine Estates and assisted in structuring and negotiating the transaction on their behalf. This deal represents a landmark transaction for Houlihan Lokey in the wine industry.

Far Niente was established in Oakville, Calif., in 1885 and prospered until the onset of Prohibition in 1919, when it was abandoned for 60 years. In 1979, the abandoned stone winery and adjacent vineyard were purchased. The building was restored to historical standards and the first Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon was crushed at the winery in 1982, along with the winery’s fourth vintage of Chardonnay.

Far Niente helped create the high-end Napa Valley wine market and has served as the benchmark wine estate for more than three decades. The establishment of its sister wineries were the natural result of the owners’ continued exploration and experimentation in growing and making the great wines within Napa Valley and Russian River Valley. Dolce, the only North American winery devoted to a single-late harvest Napa Valley wine was introduced in 1989. Nickel & Nickel, launched in 1997, is focused on producing single-vineyard, 100 percent varietal, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. EnRoute, established in 2007 in the Russian River Valley, is dedicated to the appellation’s Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Most recently Bella Union, devoted to Napa Valley Cabernet and located along Bella Oaks Lane in Rutherford, introduced its first vintage with the 2012. Together with Vinescape, its vineyard management arm, the wineries comprise Far Niente Wine Estates.

Founded in 2001, GI Partners is a leading alternative investment firm based in San Francisco. The firm currently manages over $12 billion in capital commitments through private equity and real estate strategies for recognized institutional investors across the globe.

Compliments of the Houlihan Lokey – a member of the EACC NY