Gina and Jean-Charles Boisset Acquire Iconic Flora Springs Winery and Tasting Room in St. Helena
December 06, 2024 – ST. HELENA, CA — Gina and Jean-Charles Boisset announce their acquisition of the legendary Flora Springs, the celebrated winery founded by the Komes Garvey families in 1978 in St. Helena. The purchase marks a significant milestone and deeply personal endeavor for the couple, two renowned figures in the wine world, known for their dedication to innovation, quality, and preserving the legacy of historical wineries. Their first winery collaboration embodies their shared passion for crafting exceptional wines and their commitment to Napa Valley’s rich winemaking heritage. Together, they envision Flora Springs as a platform for blending their talents, artistry, and profound love for winemaking.
A Legacy of Excellence
Gina brings more than three decades of winemaking expertise, having played a pivotal role in her family winery, known for her leadership in Sonoma. She has championed quality, sustainability, and women in the wine world. Her husband, Jean-Charles Boisset, hails from Burgundy, France, and leads the dynamic portfolio of Boisset Collection, which comprises over 30 historic wineries across France and California. The couple has long been rooted in Napa Valley, where they’ve raised their daughters and become an integral part of the community.
“From the moment we met, our passion has been creating wine,” said Jean-Charles. “We dreamt that one day, we would make wine together. Gina’s talent as a winemaker is unparalleled, and I adore crafting alongside her. Flora Springs felt like the perfect winery at the perfect time. It represents nature, abundance, fertility and beauty—a reflection of our shared vision to create extraordinary wines.”
Honoring a Family Spirit
“Flora Springs embodies the family spirit we adore and are committed to continue.” added Gina. “John Komes and Julie Garvey, together with their spouses, carried the spark of inspiration lit by their mother Flora to give back to the land and create beauty from nature. Jean-Charles and I are thrilled to honor their achievements and carry forward the winery’s tradition of excellence while realizing our dream of creating wines together.”
Under their stewardship, Flora Springs’ celebrated wines, including its celebrated Trilogy Red Wine, Soliloquy White Wine from the one and only Soliloquy clone, and highly acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignons from Napa’s premier terroirs, will continue to flourish. Gina and Jean-Charles each boast commendable accomplishments in wine, deep knowledge of Napa Valley, and extensive vineyard relationships that will be pivotal in elevating the winery’s offerings. Flora Springs Winemaker Enrico Bertoz, who has led winemaking since 2008, will also remain as Winemaker working closely with Gina and Jean-Charles. Hailing from Friuli, Italy, Enrico’s old-world perspective united with his long tenure in Napa Valley aligns harmoniously with Gina and Jean-Charles’ philosophy.
A New Chapter for Flora Springs
“Not only does Flora Springs have an impeccable history of wine quality, the family also made the conscious decision to ensure the clear focus as a small, well-positioned Napa Valley winery,” stated Boisset. “We intend to elevate their exceptional wines to a new dimension.”
In 2019, Flora Springs made the deliberate decision to start a new chapter for the winery, reducing production by over half, and enhancing winemaking in a bespoke winery optimized for producing small lots. The winery now produces approximately 8,500 cases of Napa Valley wine sold primarily through their direct-to-consumer channels. The winery is best known for Trilogy, a Cabernet-based Red Wine that debuted in 1984 and has earned prestigious acclaim, and Soliloquy White Wine, composed from the one and only Soliloquy clone, first identified in Flora Springs’ vineyards in 1989.
The couple intend to continue and enhance Flora Springs’ offerings at the Gaudi-inspired destination on Highway 29 in St. Helena. “We adore to create vibrant and resonant destinations for our guests; the beautiful site created by Flora Springs has inspired us to enhance it even further,” said Boisset.
“We’re excited to have found Jean-Charles and Gina, whom we feel are the best candidates to carry on our mother’s sense of joy. Flora had such a dynamic personality, and we are glad she will live on through Flora Springs,” Said John Komes, speaking on behalf of the Komes Garvey family.
International Wine Associates (IWA) represented the Komes Garvey family in this transaction and the terms of the sale were not disclosed.
About the Komes Garvey Family:
The Komes Garvey family founded Flora Springs in 1978 – a family affair extending across many decades and including three generations of artisanal winemakers and growers. Over the years, they have remained committed to innovative technology, the tradition of fine winemaking, and the responsible stewardship of 200+ acres of Napa Valley vineyards. Moving forward, the family has retained its vineyard holdings in Napa Valley. John Komes will continue to craft Jon Nathaniel wines from estate vineyards at his winery in Rutherford.
About Gina and Jean-Charles Boisset:
Gina Gallo-Boisset began her journey as a winemaker when she was just 10 years old, tending the gardens with her father and grandfather, and with her seven siblings picking fruits and vegetables that her mother and grandmother would use for fresh, seasonal family meals. Gina spent her high school summers working at the Gallo family’s winery, later earning her bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame de Namur University. Following in her grandfather’s footsteps, she found her true calling as a winemaker. In 1990, she became an apprentice winemaker at the Gallo family’s experimental micro-winery in Modesto, California, while she also studied winemaking at the University of California at Davis. Gina is a board member of Hunger Related Events, which addresses the needs of the hungry and homeless by raising awareness and money through special events and programs. Gina has also been honored with several awards and accolades. She was a 2016 inductee to the James Beard Foundation’s Who’s Who of Food and Beverage in America. Additionally, she was named one of the Most Innovative Women in Food and Drink by Fortune magazine, as well as being named No. 17 on Decanter magazine’s “Power List” of the most important men and women in wine. Gina also received an honorary Doctorate in Oenology from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island in 2008.
Jean-Charles Boisset was born into the world of wine in the village of Vougeot, Burgundy, France. He leads his family-owned collection of wineries that includes wineries that share more than 20 centuries of combined winemaking heritage and tradition in some of the world’s most prestigious terroirs, from Burgundy to the South of France, to California’s Napa Valley and Russian River Valley. Jean-Charles leads the family firm with passionate commitment to fine wine, history, quality and a deep respect for the environment. Among many honors, Jean-Charles was most recently named “Person of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast Magazine for 2024.