King Charles' Latest Move Quietly Helped a Struggling Winery in Napa Valley
Newton Vineyard said it was 'honored' that its 'Unfiltered' Chardonnay was chosen by the White House, offering hope after suffering losses.
Who knew a simple sip of wine could help revive a business in this turbulent time? That's exactly what happened when King Charles threw a royal lifeline to a struggling Napa Valley winery after drinking its Chardonnay at the US state banquet. Newton Vineyard in St. Helena said it was 'honored' that its 2022 Unfiltered Chardonnay was among the wines selected by the White House, boosting optimism and offering some hope after suffering losses from the 2020 Glass Fire.
As reported by The Press Democrat, the Unfiltered Chardonnay from Napa Valley was one of three wines served alongside Hopkins Vineyards' 2024 Heritage Riesling and Penner-Ash Wine Cellars' 2022 Pinot Noir. Eric Seuthe, Newton Vineyard's managing partner, gushed, "We could not be more honored that our Newton Chardonnay was served at this prestigious event." He also shared that he was unaware of the White House's pick of the wine, which was produced before he purchased the brand from the French luxury goods company LVMH, adding that he is committed to carrying on "the tradition of excellence of Newton."
Founded in 1977 by Peter Newton, the winery was severely damaged in the 2020 Glass Fire. Following a $10 million fire protection overhaul, LVMH closed the 487-acre Spring Mountain estate last February. Fast forward six months, Seuthe and his business partner, Nick Livanos, led a group of investors, Newton Vineyard & Company LLC, in acquiring it to produce high-quality wines at accessible price points. "Right now, we are replanting 13 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties. Our goal is to get back up to the 75 acres as is allotted for the property. We're just two wine lovers who always loved Newton and feel the brand needed to be restored," Seuthe said.
Interestingly, Charles is not the only famous royal who has helped restore a dying business. Prince William's love for local pubs is quietly keeping them afloat in today's unpredictable economic climate. His show of support comes at a challenging time for British pubs, which were recently informed they would incur a 15% reduction in their business rates from April, following warnings of increased closures. Reflecting on the Prince's recent pledge to save the pubs, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail that the so-called 'William Effect' has helped "support local pubs and enhance the spirit of community" while also "boosting sales at a crucial time for these invaluable establishments."
