The Hopland property, which includes a winery and 31-acrevineyard, was acquired from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates for $6.2million (not including closing costs). The property includesstorage and modern processing facilities, winery-related equipment,and a winery with offices and tasting room. Weibel Inc. has agreedto a six-year lease of the facility that includes extensionoptions.

The San Mateo vineyard, which borders the San Joaquin River, wasacquired for $7.2 million (not including closing costs). Thevineyard is contracted to a major wine producer that Vintage didnot name. An independent grower has leased the property for aninitial term of seven years.

Vintage specializes in buying properties and leasing them backto the original owners, freeing up capital for other purposes. Thecompany was formed in January 2005 and completed a private commonstock offering in March 2005 that brought in net proceeds of $145.9million. The company quickly built a portfolio of six vineyards ata cost of $97.9 million, including acquisition costs. Prior to thislatest transaction, the company owned approximately 3,914 acres inNapa County, Sonoma County, the Central Coast and the CentralValley.