By Mina Rios
Elizabeth Spencer Winery
In December 2021, Jean-Charles Boisset made a pivotal investment move with the acquisition of Elizabeth Spencer Winery in central Rutherford – connecting the dots along the Boisset Collection wine trail that meanders through every major Napa Valley destination on the map. “Rutherford has been a dream of mine for many years… It breathes the story of wine and the origins of this great valley,” says Boisset[1] . The acquisition includes Elizabeth Spencer’s Rutherford destination, wine portfolio, and tasting room located within the historic 1872 Post Office building on Rutherford Cross Road. Founded in 1998 by husband-and-wife team Elizabeth Pressler and Spencer Graham, Elizabeth Spencer Winery is a certified sustainable, organic, and Biodynamic® producer of small-production wines from Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino. https://www.elizabethspencerwinery.com/
[1] Quote from Dec. 8. 2021 Boisset Collection Press Release
Calistoga Depot
California’s second train station – the enduring Calistoga Depot is back on track for business after sitting dormant over recent years. In October 2021, savvy vintner/investor Jean-Charles Boisset acquired the 1868 landmark, forging a collective partnership with local merchants. The $4.9 million purchase that includes the main building, a smaller building in the rear, and six adjacent train cars, is slated for a formal grand opening in 2022. Poised to immerse visitors in old lang syne, the self-proclaimed steward of history asserts, “We celebrate history and we champion it. We want to remind Californians and Americans at large that their history is rich, meaningful, and important to the California identity.” Gathering hubs aboard the train cars and around the depot will include the Calistoga Distillery 1868, Depot Provisions – a gourmet marketplace with an upscale café (tentatively scheduled for a December 2021 (soft opening), and a brewery specializing in Belgian-inspired beer. https://youtu.be/0LV6ZGM0hxs
The Ink House
Wine country’s laureate married couple, Jean-Charles Boisset and Gina Gallo-Boisset, cemented their first ever collaboration as a duo last September 2021 with the acquisition of the illustrious Ink House, located south of St. Helena. The original structure, built in 1885 by Theron Ink, was fully restored and transformed in 2017, into a luxury boutique inn by the Castellucci family of Castellucci Napa Valley wines. Expertly curated with the quintessential Boisset touch, the couple affirms a travel experience unlike any other in Napa Valley. Offering personalized entertaining with a formal dining room and an underground speakeasy, an estate manager is available at your service for special wine tasting arrangements, meal preparation by a private chef, luxurious excursions, and more. Guests may choose from four different rooms, each with vineyard views, starting at $850 per night. Distinct property features include The Elvis Room – commemorating when music legend Elvis Presley was a guest in the home while filming Wild in the Country in 1960. Jean-Charles Boisset says about Ink House[1] , “Gina and I are thrilled to curate exceptional moments for guests, connecting them to our wineries, our chefs, friends, partners and our vision of an exquisite yet authentic Napa dream.”
[1] Quote from September 2021 Ink House/Fox Greenberg Public Relations Press Release
The MiNAPRESS Column 
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