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NY Post
New York Post
11 Nov 2024


NextImg:Former Trader Joe’s ‘Two-Buck Chuck’ winery — now a luxury Napa estate — hits the market for $35M

A piece of Napa Valley’s storied wine history is up for grabs — at a price that’s anything but “Two-Buck Chuck.”

The Benessere Vineyards estate, steeped in the legacy of the original Charles Shaw winery, has hit the market for $35 million.

The Northern California estate is where Shaw first produced his wines, including the vintage known as “Two-Buck Chuck,” so nicknamed for its budget $2 price tag at Trader Joe’s.

The winery is now an upscale operation.

The winery sits on 43 acres. Daniel Wilson for Sotheby's International Realty
The estate features 6,300 square feet of living space. Ned Bonzi for Sotheby's International Realty

“Encompassed by vineyards and the organic landscape of the Napa River, the agrarian setting is unrivaled, offering everything wine country often promises, but rarely delivers,” reads the listing.

The St. Helena estate sprawls over 43 picturesque acres, complete with 6,300 square feet of living space, eight bedrooms and nine bathrooms.

But it’s more than just a stunning estate; it’s a nod to Napa’s past and a testament to a transformation that took decades.

“The desirable up-valley location is convenient and buffered from the well-traveled Highway 29 and Silverado Trail, at the end of a bucolic country lane,” the listing notes.

And it’s true: nestled away on Big Tree Road, this property feels worlds away from the bustling wine trails, yet is strategically placed for access.

The home on the winery features eight bedrooms and nine bathrooms. Daniel Wilson for Sotheby's International Realty
After the original Charles Shaw winery went bankrupt in 1990, John and Ellen Benish bought the property in 1994 and transformed it into a boutique winery specializing in Italian varietals. Ned Bonzi for Sotheby's International Realty
Trader Joe’s “Two-Buck Chuck.” Flickr/Mack Male
Fred Franzia, the influential winemaker at Bronco Wine Co., acquired the Charles Shaw brand and transformed it to include the widely recognized “Two-Buck Chuck” sold at Trader Joe’s. Daniel Wilson for Sotheby's International Realty

Charles F. Shaw laid the groundwork for this fabled spot in 1974, producing award-winning Gamay wines before financial turmoil led to its bankruptcy in 1990.

The Benish family stepped in, purchasing the land — though not the brand — and renamed it Benessere Vineyards.

A new chapter began when Fred Franzia of Bronco Wine Co. scooped up the Shaw brand for just $27,000 during bankruptcy proceedings and forever changed the supermarket wine landscape.

The exterior of the home on the winery. Daniel Wilson for Sotheby's International Realty
The entryway. Daniel Wilson for Sotheby's International Realty
The outdoor lounge space. Daniel Wilson for Sotheby's International Realty

In 2002, the bargain basement “Two-Buck Chuck” debuted at Trader Joe’s, gaining a cult following and casting a long shadow over the original estate’s legacy. Benessere, however, has carved out its own identity since John and Ellen Benish purchased the property for $1.529 million in 1994.

With meticulous care, they revived the land, producing their first sangiovese vintage by 1995 and eventually adding an array of Italian varieties like pinot grigio, falanghina, and nero d’Avola.

According to the listing, the property is primed for a new owner to step in and continue operations, whether by moving an existing wine brand or creating a new one.

The front porch of the single-family home. Ned Bonzi for Sotheby's International Realty
An aerial view of the property. Ned Bonzi for Sotheby's International Realty

The estate includes a vineyard, winery and permitted tasting room, along with the single-family residences.

Notably, the listing highlights that the winery’s entitlements are “pre-WDO,” referencing Napa County’s 1990 Winery Definition Ordinance; permits granted before this regulation are typically far less restrictive than those issued today.

Jamie Spratling and Kevin McDonald with Sotheby’s International Realty hold the listing.