February 21, 2025 – Big news broke from Esther Mobley at the San Francisco Chronicle this week regarding the sale of Massa Vineyards in Cachagua. MassaDurneySale
Vintner Ian Brand had been telling me for quite some time that the gnarly old vineyard originally planted by Bill Durney in 1969 (using cuttings from the Mirassou family) was for sale.
Given all the properties suddenly on the market, combined with the generally bearish outlook on the wine industry, it felt like a real slog to find a buyer.
Brand had been helping the Massa family find buyers for the grapes, and had a notable collection of winemakers purchasing fruit from it, including Arnot Roberts, Ryme and Margins.
When Durney passed away in 1989, the property was purchased by Gilbert and Toby Heller, who renamed it Heller Estate. They converted it to organic farming in 1996 and their winemaker, Richard Tanguay, made some of the first organic wines in Carmel Valley. His Chenin Blancs were highly praised, and the fruit is still producing stellar examples of this wine. Toby’s eye-catching sculptures graced the landscape as well as the wine labels.
After the Hellers passed away just one month apart in 2017, noted landowner and farmer Bill Massa purchased the 998-acre estate for his wife Laurie. That brought his total land holdings to 7,000 acres, including the Rat Camp cattle ranch. At that time, the former Heller Estate included an 88-acre vineyard planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah, Malbec and Petit Verdot.
Regardless of the buyer’s ultimate motives, the future of the famed vineyard, originally known as Durney, is definitely in doubt.
Winemaker Ian Brand, who is currently enjoying the fresh powder of the Sierras during Ski Week, says his role in the vineyard going forward is unclear, but he would love to see it preserved—a sentiment shared by winemaker Russell Joyce, who grew up in Carmel Valley and is well-versed in its history.
“Believe me, if I had the money, I’d buy the old Durney Vineyard,” says Joyce. “We need to preserve our history.” Joyce puts what money he has (or had) where his mouth is and purchased the old Ventana Vineyard property in Arroyo Seco in 2021.
Also in the Cachagua area, the Marinus Vineyard—the Bordeaux grape love interest of the late Ben Pons of Bernardus fame—is up for sale. This is definitely the case, but not for the reasons motivating the Massa listings. Instead, Bernardus, under new ownership and direction, is in expansion mode. To pursue this goal, they are realigning their assets.
Why sell the flagship Marinus vineyard? According to Joyce, Bernardus wants to concentrate on the company’s core strengths, which are increasingly Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
“Cabernet sales are trending down and they just want to be done with it,” says Joyce. “If Ben were still alive, he’d probably keep it, but the new Bernardus president wants to expand production of what’s selling in the marketplace.” Given that there’s Chardonnay and Pinot Noir aplenty in Monterey, they should have no trouble acquiring fruit to meet demand.
The Marinus Carmel Valley vineyard for sale consists of 147 Acres across 4 Parcels, with 32 vineyard acres planted in 1990. It is listed for $2,595,000 and includes a residence (1,560 SF), storage warehouse/shop/office (4,380 SF) and an equipment shed (2,400 SF).
The Bernardus winery property, also in Cachagua, is not part of the parcel listed for sale.
More Changes in Carmel Valley Village
Along with the closure of the Massa Tasting room following the sale of the property, there’s news to report of the exit of Albatross Ridge from their Carmel Valley Village tasting cottage. Corral Wine Company is moving into this sweet space, once occupied by Annette Hoff of Cima Collina, another brand that has faded away. Who will move into the Corral space? More on that next week.
Passport in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Saturday, Feb 22, Noon to 5pm
Some new wineries participating in the Passport program this year include Lago Lomita in the Summit Road area, and Sante Arcangeli in Aptos, which will honor Passports any day they are open. Rosscienda in Aptos will be open Passport Days only, including this Saturday. Definitely worth checking out!
Bargetto will offer a barrel sample on Passport, while Big Basin Vineyards invites you to enjoy two empanadas plus a glass of red, white or rośe for only $19 (a $29 value): at the downtown Santa Cruz location.
Burrell School Vineyards offers a 20% discount on retail purchases this Saturday, and Chaminade Resort & Spa will be open to Passport holders from 12pm-4pm, for wine and great views.
Kings Mountain Vineyards will be pouring at VinoCruz in Soquel, where you can enjoy lunch, including some Adorable French Bakery goodies. Left Bend will pour Saturday at Saratoga Social Club at 14527 Big Basin Wy, Saratoga, CA. Burrell School and Ferrari Ranch welcome Passport holders any time they are open, while Alfaro, Storrs and Windy Oaks require reservations for Passport holders, on Celebration days as well as any other days they are open. Windy Oaks Estate offers a three-pack of sparkling Albariño, Old Vine Pinot Blanc, and Diane’s Block Estate Pinot Noir, for only $99!
To obtain the current SCMWA Passport, and to see the map showing participating wineries, go to SCMWAPassport
Randall Grahm’s latest: Paradise Found
Membership is now available in the “Paradise Found” Wine Club, featuring offerings from the Popelouchum Vineyard Estate on a semi-annual basis, either 6 or 12 bottles per shipment. You can find all the relevant details regarding Club membership ParadiseClub. Quantities are shockingly limited, but if you have a hankering to explore things like Tibouren, Ruchè and “Sérine Blanche,” not to mention newly created varieties and blends, membership in this Club will afford you the best opportunity to try some bottles that will likely never otherwise be available. How about Cornalin, Timorasso and Aligoté Doré? Additionally, dear potential Paradisiac, you might find yourself invited to splendidly exclusive al fresco tasting and dining events forthcoming at Popelouchum.
About the author
Laura Ness is a longtime wine journalist, columnist and judge who contributes regularly to Edible Monterey Bay, Spirited, WineOh.Tv, Los Gatos Magazine and Wine Industry Network, and a variety of consumer publications. Her passion is telling stories about the intriguing characters who inhabit the fascinating world of wine and food.
