Stewart Family Announces Purchase of Envolve Winery in Sonoma
The acquisition of California’s prestigious Envolve winery by BC’s Stewart family is another indication of how Canadian wine culture is influencing the industry beyond our borders. The Stewart Family, owners of BC’s Quails’ Gate Winery and Sonoma County’s Lake Sonoma Winery have negotiated the purchase of Envolve Winery from sibling proprietors Mike, Kate and Chris Benziger and Ben Flajnik. The transfer of ownership is effective immediately.
Mike Benziger and Ben Flajnik established Envolve and its Sonoma County-appellated wines in 2008; they operated a tasting room off of the Sonoma Square since 2012. In anticipation of the sale and move to the new location, the former Envolve tasting room closed at the end of 2015. Envolve now has a new home inside the Stewarts’ Lake Sonoma Winery tasting room at 134 Church Street, Sonoma Square, Sonoma CA.
The two veteran multi-generation wine growing families became acquainted when the Stewart family joined the Sonoma community in 2012 with the acquisition of Glen Ellen’s Madrone Estate Winery, Valley of the Moon wines, and Lake Sonoma Winery. Focusing on local tasting experiences and appellation-driven wines, Envolve perfectly aligns with the Stewart family’s focus on Lake Sonoma Winery’s portfolio and purpose.
Tony Stewart, proprietor of the Stewart family wineries, comments that “Our families have a long history in quality viticulture and winemaking and we’re proud to work with the Benziger family on the next chapter of Envolve wines.”
Kate Benzinger also emphasized her family’s willingness to work with the Stewarts, saying that “While this means Envolve will change hands, we are confident the Stewart family will continue the brand mission of bringing high quality varietals into the marketplace and encourage enthusiasts to ‘get envolved’ by helping support local charities.” Tyler Galts, who will remain the president of Lake Sonoma winery, says “We are very happy to be working with the guidance of the Benziger family to serve their customers and offer additional luxury wines.”
About the Stewart Family: The Stewarts are a third-generation winemaking family with more than sixty years of outstanding wines under their belt. The family owns Madrone Estate Winery in Glen Ellen, Valley of the Moon wines, Lake Sonoma Winery, and Quails’ Gate winery in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.
