NEWS: The Donald Gets Into Wine

[Jenise]

Yup, Trump bought a winery.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Donald Trump has bought a Virginia vineyard at a foreclosure auction and wants to produce wines.

Media outlets report that representatives for Trump bought the winery Thursday and Trump is in talks with former owners William Moses and Patricia Kluge about running the operation.

Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyards in Charlottesville was put up for sale by a creditor bank.

Preliminary estimates indicate the property sold for less than $7.5 million before any fees. It was estimated to be worth more than $70 million before the recession.

Trump also successfully bid on the trademarks and labels for the winery.

Trump representative Jason Greenblatt told The Daily Progress the billionaire plans on running it as a winery. He said the "Trump brand" signifies luxury and quality.

Not everything was sold together. He successfully bought the 800 acre estate for a reported $6.2M. The equipement and inventory was auctioned off piecemeal and I have been told that he won most of that also but have not seen it in writting. Your report is the first I read of him buying the trademark and lables. Kind of shocked that he would want them considering that the Kluge name was not in my opion much of a selling point. I guess that he probably needs it so he can move the existing inventory while he rebrands the winery and gets new labels approved etc.

I guess that he probably needs it so he can move the existing inventory while he rebrands the winery and gets new labels approved etc.

My understanding is that there is no existing inventory. It was all sold at auction in December (at knock-down prices, no less.)

I guess that he probably needs it so he can move the existing inventory while he rebrands the winery and gets new labels approved etc.

My understanding is that there is no existing inventory. It was all sold at auction in December (at knock-down prices, no less.)

That is what I thought also but according to Nola from Bodega Dominio Buenavista the equipement and inventory was auctioned this past weekend. I found one of the articles from December and it claims that 4,000 cases were sold then but thousands more remained. Sounds like both accounts could be correct with some sold prior and some sold after the estate sale.

[James Roscoe]

I also understand that Trump is not interested in the vineyard and plans to subdivide the land after making improvements for a wealthy subdivision.

[Jenise]

Kind of shocked that he would want them considering that the Kluge name was not in my opion much of a selling point.

I was surprised by that, too. The man has an ego the size of New York, and in terms of branding Trump regards his own name as iconic as Tiffany (which of course he also owns). Bet: name change coming!

I also understand that Trump is not interested in the vineyard and plans to subdivide the land after making improvements for a wealthy subdivision.

James, not sure if you are seious or not but that would actually be part of the original Kluge plan. If you recall, she was going to be selling homesites that backed up to the vineyard so that every lot had a vineyard view.

From the reports coming out that he purchased the equipment, inventory, and label seperate from the land I think he is planning on keeping the vineyards and winery. If not the extra money spent on those items makes no sense. Again according to others the equipment sold for higher than expected and (my understanding) more than it was worth if you were to have it shipped. The conclusion being that he plans to keep it where it is.

[James Roscoe]

Brian, good on you for asking if I was serious first!

I thought I read in The Compost (aka The Washington Post) that he had no interest in the winery and that he wanted to turn the place into a tony subdivision outside of Charlotte. I see you have more up-to-date information than I do.

Kind of shocked that he would want them considering that the Kluge name was not in my opion much of a selling point.

I was surprised by that, too. The man has an ego the size of New York, and in terms of branding Trump regards his own name as iconic as Tiffany (which of course he also owns). Bet: name change coming!

Domaine Trump? Yikes.

Reported on another board that two weeks ago Kluge was still sitting on 40,000 cases of inventory.

as long as he doesn't get into the White House; who cares.

who cares.

I care. Like him or not what Trump does becomes news and people read it. If as it appears, Mr. Trump plans to actually run a winery this could be the most important thing to happen to east coast wines in a very long time, possible ever. Many folks believe that east coast wines are not as good and can not be as good as those from the west coast. I would argue that a significant portion of those who have that belief have not tried many if any east coast wines. However, I believe that many indiviuals will try the "Trump wine" if for no other reason than curiosity. Look at the attention that just his purchase has received and tell me when another winery purchase has received as much attention in the general media. If the product he puts on the market is done well and priced right this could be a big positive for east coast wines in general and work as a gateway for people to then try others. If it's overpriced plonk, he could end up further damaging the image of east coast wines in the eyes of the mass public.

who cares.

I care. Like him or not what Trump does becomes news and people read it. If as it appears, Mr. Trump plans to actually run a winery this could be the most important thing to happen to east coast wines in a very long time, possible ever. Many folks believe that east coast wines are not as good and can not be as good as those from the west coast. I would argue that a significant portion of those who have that belief have not tried many if any east coast wines. However, I believe that many indiviuals will try the "Trump wine" if for no other reason than curiosity. Look at the attention that just his purchase has received and tell me when another winery purchase has received as much attention in the general media. If the product he puts on the market is done well and priced right this could be a big positive for east coast wines in general and work as a gateway for people to then try others. If it's overpriced plonk, he could end up further damaging the image of east coast wines in the eyes of the mass public.

I take your point, and I share your hope that the Donald delivers, but I'm not optimistic. I spent a fair amount of the last five years trying to convince people to try North Carolina wines. To put this as delicately as possible, the biggest obstacle to getting people to try them was the reputation of the largest and most visible producer.

I spent a fair amount of the last five years trying to convince people to try North Carolina wines. To put this as delicately as possible, the biggest obstacle to getting people to try them was the reputation of the largest and most visible producer.

Does it start with a B? I have tried a number of NC wines with mixed results. Really liked one from Childress, Chard I believe. The next time I was back in NC, I bought a case but it was the next vintage and not up to the standard of the previous year. Can you list a few of your favorites for me to look for on my next trip down?

Does it start with a B? I have tried a number of NC wines with mixed results. Really liked one from Childress, Chard I believe. The next time I was back in NC, I bought a case but it was the next vintage and not up to the standard of the previous year. Can you list a few of your favorites for me to look for on my next trip down?

I think Sean McRitchie is a terrific winemaker. His "Ring of Fire" Petite Verdot/Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon blend is very good. He also makes hard ciders, which I've never tried, but would like to.

Michael and Amy Helton at Hanover Park make "Michael's Blend," cab franc with merlot, very nice wine although to me it is much more like Rioja than anything from Bordeaux.

We had a couple good vintages from Childress, but their latest releases have been kind of wan, I think. Although I still favor the "Trio," a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Viognier.

Biltmore is Biltmore, but I'm often surprised by the quality of their sparklers. The Chateau Reserve Blanc de Blanc, vintaged, is something of a bargain at $23.