Rubicon Winery Buys Inglenook Name, Hires Famous French Winemaker Phillippe Bascaules

Wine people take note: screenwriter Francis Ford Coppola's Rubicon Estate Winery will from now on be known as Inglenook, the original name of the property when it was established by Gustave Niebaum in 1879. Coppola bought the trademarked name from mega wine producer The Wine Group, who purchased the name from Constellation in 2008. The big deal change represents Francis Ford's effort to return the winery to its original iconic standing. He's also hired Bordeaux winemaker Phillippe Bascaules who directed France's famous Chateau Mârgaux for the past 11 years. Inglenook was once known as one of Napa's "grandest" wineries and its 1941 Cab Sauv retails for around 24K, to give an idea of what Bascaules is up against here. The Inglenook property has been developed through the years and now harvests Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah and White Rhone grapes, including the most popular Blancaneaux. The winery's flagship wine will carry on the Rubicon name and the Inglenook labels owned by The Wine Group will be renamed over the next few months.

· The Glory That Was Inglenook [Wine Spectator]
· All Previous Francis Ford Coppola Coverage[~ ESF ~]

[Photo: Sandrew]