For over four decades, Laetitia Winery has been a cherished destination for Central Coast residents and visitors alike. However, the winery’s reputation dimmed in recent years following its acquisition by Vintage Wine Estates in 2019. The company, which managed more than 60 brands and went public with a $600 million offering in 2021, made headlines in January when it abruptly closed Laetitia’s tasting room, prompting public outcry. The situation worsened in July when Vintage filed for bankruptcy, leaving Laetitia and numerous other brands up for auction.
In a significant turn of events, it was announced on October 4 that Laetitia Winery has secured new ownership, featuring renowned winemaker Eric Hickey. Hickey’s connection to Laetitia runs deep; his father, Dave Hickey, was among the estate’s inaugural employees when it opened as Maison Deutz in 1983. Eric began working harvests alongside his father in the late 1980s, officially joining the winery at the age of 22 in 1994, and has remained committed ever since.
Reflecting on the tumultuous period, Hickey expressed relief at the return to private ownership. “The last five years have been crazy, and the last year has been nuts, but there’s a good outcome now with private ownership again,” he said. As the winery’s new general manager and winemaker, Hickey finds it particularly gratifying to take on this role, especially given his family’s long-standing ties to Laetitia. “This is my 30th year here, and with my dad’s history and my brother as cellar master, it’s really exciting to be an actual proprietor,” he added.
Joining Hickey in the ownership group are Ejnar Knudsen and Jeff Nicholson. Knudsen, a former Cal Poly student, comes from a family that has been involved in San Joaquin Valley agriculture for over a century. Nicholson, whose child is a Cal Poly graduate, has a background in food and farming distribution. Both were original investors in Vintage but exited the company as it went public. During Vintage’s bankruptcy proceedings on August 29, Knudsen successfully secured Laetitia and Oregon’s Owen Roe for a total of $9.3 million through a stalking horse bid. Details regarding the new ownership structure at Laetitia have not been disclosed.
Eric Hickey’s association with Laetitia dates back to just before its name change from Maison Deutz in 1995, which initially focused on sparkling wines. He remained with the winery through its various transitions, including its purchase by Iraqi-British entrepreneur Selim Zilkha in 2001, who sold the winery to Vintage two decades later. While Laetitia lost some wine club members under Vintage’s corporate ownership, Hickey commended the company for its commitment to winemaking quality. “They never messed with us on the winemaking,” he stated. “They supported it, they bought our barrels, and they didn’t try to mess with us.”
Although the tasting room had closed earlier this year, it reopened two months ago, and production has continued as usual, with the exception of the current harvest. Due to bankruptcy proceedings, Hickey was unable to begin picking grapes but plans to resume next week. “I haven’t brought in a single grape yet,” he noted, while also assuring that the chardonnay and pinot noir from their cool-climate estate remain in good condition. “We’ll be back swinging for the back half of harvest,” he affirmed.
Looking ahead, Hickey aims to establish a more focused operation. Plans include an emphasis on direct sales through wine clubs and a remodeled tasting room, along with a modest wholesale effort. Additionally, the winery intends to replant 100 acres of vines across the property over the next five years.
“The business is very focused and very consumer-centric,” Hickey said. “We’re just gonna be working it like a family-owned business.” With this renewed commitment to local ownership and production, Laetitia Winery is poised to regain its status as a beloved destination on the Central Coast.
