Healdsburg, Ca, August 23 - Having sold the Davis Bynum brand to Tom Klein and Rodney Strong Vineyards, Hampton Bynum today announced that he and his sister, Susie Bynum, will now make wine under the River Bend Ranch label -- and the winery on Westside Road in Healdsburg will now have a "new," yet "old," name: River Bend Ranch Winery.
Under the agreement reached with Klein, Susie and Hampton Bynum will retain the family's winery, which remains for sale under the representation of International Wine Associates of Healdsburg. "But with the Davis Bynum brand now part of the Rodney Strong Vineyards portfolio, we needed a new name," explained Hampton Bynum. "When we bought the winery back in 1973, it was known as River Bend Ranch because of its proximity to a bend in the Russian River. Since 1975, we've also made wines under the River Bend label," Bynum said.
River Bend Ranch Winery will produce approximately 6,000 cases. In addition to producing the River Bend Ranch wines, the family also will expand its custom crush operations for other small wineries.
River Bend Ranch Winery sits on 7.25 acres. The winery has six full-time employees and four part-time employees. No jobs will be impacted with the sale of the Davis Bynum brand, and Davis Bynum will be retained by the Klein Family in an advisory role for the next three years. "It makes me happy that the sale is from one Sonoma County family winery to another," said Davis Bynum.
River Bend Ranch Winery is located at 8075 Westside Road, Healdsburg. The tasting room is currently closed, but will reopen September 1. For more information, call 707-433-2611. A website is currently under construction.