Coors Family Enters Napa Valley Wine Scene
YOUNTVILLE (KPIX 5) -- In 1873, Adolph Coors began making a name for himself in the beer business. Now, that name has traveled from Golden, Colorado to the Golden State.
Yountville's Goosecross winery is a 30-year old brand with a brand new look and feel thanks to Adolph's great, great granddaughter, Christi Coors Facelli.
"My family purchased this place about 2 ½ years ago and they wanted me to make something of it," Facelli told KPIX 5.
The winery is classic Napa Valley beautiful, with huge windows that open up to a stunning landscape. It's a far cry from the industrial din of a mega-brewery. Here, the wine sits silently in barrels, including two reminders from the earthquake that spilled about a sixth of the winery's total inventory.
"We got a lot of offers from people willing to come with straws to soak up all the wine at the barrel facility," Facelli recalled.
But Christi says her famous lineage has always been a mixed blessing. "The name helps at times and hinders at times, and it's been that way my whole life, no matter what industry I'm in," she said.
In Wine Country, the Coors name doesn't hold much magic, so she's working hard to gain the respect of winemakers and wine drinkers alike. She's already had an impact on the family back home.
"You know, a lot of them are like, thank goodness! Now I can come out of the closet and drink wine," Facelli said.