History
Planted in 2003, the vineyard has now reached full maturity, producing wines of exceptional quality and aging potential. First planted by visionary Lewis E. Platt, the vineyard was acquired by AXA Millésimes in 2022, owners of outstanding vineyards in France, Portugal, Hungary, and Napa Valley.
First Planted By
Joan and Lewis Platt
More Than 20 Years Ago
Lewis E. Platt, renowned businessman and CEO of Hewlett Packard in the 90’s was a lifelong wine enthusiast. He served as CEO of Kendall Jackson from 2000 to mid-2001 before buying this property in the Freestone-Occidental area with his wife Joan.
They had the visionary ambition to plant 23 acres in 2003, 5 acres in 2004 and an additional 3.5 acres in 2007 in what was to become the most exciting region for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Lewis E. Platt only considered selling the grapes and living on the Estate in a house facing south on the highest and sunniest blocks.
From his time at Kendall Jackson Lewis Platt met renowned experts and went through years of research to plant this state-of-the-art vineyard. Through attentive and conscientious soil preparation, rootstock and clonal selection, the vineyard was not only established in the best place but also prepared and planted in the most careful manner.
Platt vineyard is the story of a collaboration. Lewis Platt took the time to meet with the winemakers who would purchase the grapes in the early years: David Ramey (Ramey), Fred Scherrer (Scherrer), Eric Sussman (Radio Coteau), Ted Lemon (Littorai), and Carroll Kemp (Red Car). They each contributed to the varietal selection and advised on the planting and growing using their deep knowledge of winemaking on the West Sonoma Coast.
On September 8th 2005, Lewis E. Platt passed away. Though he never saw his vineyard yield the world-class grapes that we know today, he is part of the story, and we recognize this by retaining his name.
Under the care of his widow, Joan Platt, the vineyard started producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that were sold to the best producers in Sonoma County.
First Change Of Ownership
In 2015
In 2015, the vineyard was sold to a local vineyard investment fund who continued to develop the vineyard.
Since its first harvest in 2006, Platt Vineyard had already gained a significant reputation among winemakers and amateurs. The new owners opened the vineyard to more Californian winemakers, leading to a rapid rise in the price of grapes grown in the vineyard. In a few years, Platt Vineyard grapes became one of the most sought-after and expensive Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown in California.
In 2020 an additional 5 acres of Pinot Noir were planted in the lower elevation parts of the vineyard and 1.5 acres of south-facing Chardonnay on the top ridge.
Acquired In 2022 By AXA Millesimes
In 2022, French winemaking group AXA Millésimes buys the vineyard with the ambition to build a winery on site and to make estate wines from Platt that express the unique quality of this terroir.
Created in 1987, AXA Millésimes is the home of nine exceptional vineyards across four countries, producing some of the finest wines in France, Portugal, Hungary and the United States. We have always sought out vineyard terroirs that are among the greatest in their region, and our acquisition of Platt Vineyard is in perfect harmony with this strategy.
Since 2023, all external grape sales have ceased. While we apply for permits for the construction of a winery on-site, we make and age our wines at a nearby winery.
After the acquisition, a 5 acre west facing parcel was planted in 2023 to Pinot Noir (Calera clone), further expanding the vineyard to a total of 43 acres.
In 2024, Platt Vineyard joined the West Sonoma Coast Vintners, “an association of wineries and growers who are passionate about farming along the mountainous coastline of western Sonoma County”.
In 2025 we will release the 2023 vintage, the first ever wines made under the label of Platt Vineyard as an estate.
