After three decades immersed in the wine culture of Calaveras County, Chatom Vineyards and Winery owner Gay Callan plans to retire from the wine industry. She has selected Cornish & Carey Commercial Newmark (C&CCNewmark) to market the 775-acre property for sale. The firm’s Wine Services Group, with far reaching resources and a unique, customized approach to servicing the global wine industry, has been engaged for the assignment.
Located in the heart of “Gold Country” in the Sierra Foothills Appellation of Northeastern California, the Chatom Vineyards features 64 acres of premium grape varietals, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel, Merlot, Sangiovese and Semillon as well as five Portuguese varietals. Chatom wines, especially its cabernet sauvignons, zinfandels and tourigas, have earned numerous prestigious awards at tasting competitions both locally and statewide.
The Sierra Foothills is one of the oldest wine regions in California. It was the site of the great California Gold Rush during the mid-1800s where vineyards were planted and wineries established to satisfy the cultural demand of thousands of miners with global origins. Here, the wine industry has continued to thrive due to the unique qualities of this region. The decomposed granite soil, a product of the erosion from the mountain range, provides good drainage with few nutrients so roots are forced deep for food and water. Substantial, hearty root structures allow grapes to take on the unique flavors of the specific vineyard site to produce richer, more deeply flavored grapes. Vineyards are planted between 1,500 and 3,000 feet in a seasonal climate with warm days and cool nights creating a perfect growing condition for hearty grape varietals. More than 100 wineries are located within the boundaries of the Sierra Foothills Appellation, or American Viticultural Area (AVA).
“The Chatom Vineyards are bountiful and the Winery operates a thriving business,” said C&CCNewmark’s Kevin Foster who, together with Preston Smith, represents Ms. Callan. “This property is breathtakingly beautiful.
This is an appealing opportunity for Bay Area or other metropolitan investors seeking a lifestyle change or an attractive entry point into the wine industry,” Foster added. “Or, another Sierra Foothills winery or vineyard could expand its operations into this space. Chatom Vineyards could alternatively be an excellent source of fruit for wineries in the Sonoma or Napa area.”
The Chatom Vineyards ranch is situated on 745 acres in the Esmeralda Valley at 7449 Esmeralda Road in San Andreas, California. The 20-acre farmstead includes a 4,000-square-foot main residence with a swimming pool, a Ranch Manager’s home, a mobile home, shop, garage/office, two equipment sheds and two barns. Chatom Vineyards contains historical features including the original Esmeralda Post Office where Mark Twain mailed his manuscripts to his New York publisher, a number of Indian grinding rocks, and mine claims from the gold rush days, with mine shafts and antique mining equipment remaining on site.
Located 12 miles from the Chatom Vineyards, and two miles west of the historic town of Murphys at 1969 Highway 4 in Douglas Flat, California, the Chatom Vineyards’ boutique Winery rests on approximately 32 acres in a picturesque area along the well-traveled California State Highway 4. Built in 1990, the Winery property includes the tasting/hospitality room, upstairs apartment, offices, a “rammed earth” wine cellar and a covered crush pad. The fruit for all wines produced on site is sourced from the Chatom Vineyards.
“Vineyards and wineries encompass two separate businesses, each requiring a deep knowledge and a unique skill set to market effectively. We are proud of our track record helping clients, like Ms. Callan, accomplish their goals by leveraging both our strong industry-specific experience and our relationship with Newmark Grubb Knight Frank,” said Foster.
Prior to marketing a property, the Wine Services Group performs targeted and complex analyses customized to the wine industry property, which incorporates brand value, production methods, storage, inventory, distribution and sales. Additionally, a partnership with Newmark Grubb Knight Frank (NGKF) ensures that properties and opportunities are accessible and marketed worldwide through its 7,000 brokers. NGKF’s London-based partner Knight Frank also maintains a specialty group that works with wine-related properties in Europe.
About Cornish & Carey Commercial Newmark
A dominant regional real estate force since 1935, Cornish & Carey Commercial Newmark has an expansive reach as part of one of the largest commercial real estate service firms in the U.S. Regionally, Cornish & Carey Commercial Newmark has more than 310 agents in 13 strategically located offices throughout Northern California, creating a powerful platform from which to deliver superior services locally, while upholding its core values of integrity and knowledge. For further information, visit www.ccareynkf.com.
About Newmark Grubb Knight Frank
Newmark Grubb Knight Frank (NGKF) is one of the world’s leading commercial real estate advisory firms. Together with its affiliates and London-based partner Knight Frank, NGKF employs more than 12,000 professionals, operating from more than 320 offices in established and emerging property markets on five continents.
With roots dating back to 1929, NGKF’s strong foundation makes it one of the most trusted names in commercial real estate. Its integrated services platform includes leasing advisory, global corporate services, investment sales and capital markets, consulting, program and project management, property and facilities management, and valuation services. A major force in the real estate marketplace, NGKF serves the local and global property requirements of tenants, landlords, investors and developers worldwide. For further information, visit www.ngkf.com.
NGKF is a part of BGC Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ: BGCP), a leading global brokerage company primarily servicing the wholesale financial and real estate markets. For further information, visit www.bgcpartners.com.