Francis Ford Coppola Uncovers Rare Inglenook Wines in Cellar

By Michael Walsh

Roman Coppola with father, Francis Ford Coppola

On a brisk day at the Niebaum-Coppola winery, the staff was cleaning out a long neglected part of the cellar in order to create some storage room for Mr. Coppola’s movie props and costumes, when Lo and Behold, old cases of Inglenook Wine appeared! The winery staff immediately contacted several outside sommeliers to determine the value of this find, and discovered a part of their wine heritage they didn’t even know existed.
Another winery might have sold the wine to the highest bidder, and why not — Sotheby’s valued one of the bottles at $14,000 — but not the Coppolas.

In a fabulous party held for the press and local neighbors, seven Inglenook estate wines, dating as far back as 1933, were poured for wine writers, journalists and friends connected with the historic winery. There were seven cabernet sauvignons in all, dating back as early as 1933 and moving forward into the 1950’s. The wines had held up beautifully in color and taste.

Above, Reception at Niebaum- Coppola Winery. Below, MSNBC's Financial Anchor Maria Bartiromo with visiting journalist, and Francis Ford Coppola

Sommelier Rebecca Chapa pouring rare Inglenook wines with other sommeliers

The party served as a backdrop for yet another announcement. The newly restored wine making facility of Niebaum-Coppola was now back in production, ready to make wines that would live up to the heritage the winery had started many years ago. There was also an announcement of the acquisition of the coveted J.J. Cohn property in Rutherford.

Brett Lopez, owner of JJCohn property

“2002 has been a watershed year for Niebaum-Coppola. This September, with the opening of the Rubicon winery, we brought winemaking back to the Chateau for the first time since 1966,” said Francis Coppola. “The acquisition of the Cohn property is part of the Estate’s dedication and focus on our proprietary wines. It was made possible by the enormous financial success of our non-estate wines. Now, with the acquisition of this prime piece of Rutherford Bench vineyard, we will have approximately 60 acres of additional Estate grown fruit, bringing our total vineyard acreage to 260.”
Francis and Eleanor Coppola purchased part of the Inglenook Estate in 1975, including over 1500 acres of land, and founder Gustave Niebaum’s Victorian home and carriage house. He renamed the estate Niebaum-Coppola and in 1978 produced the first vintage of Rubicon, a proprietary Bordeaux blend of Carbernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. In 1995, the Coppolas purchased the remaining part of the original property, which included the Inglenook Chateau and approximately 90 acres of vineyards.
The purchase of the J.J. Cohn property gives the Niebaum-Coppola the largest position in prime Rutherford Bench vineyard. The Rutherford Bench is renowned for the superb quality and distinctive character it imparts to Cabernet Sauvignon.

Guest Chef Tod English treated guests to a delectable feast.