william p foley ii

Bill Foley Adds Eos Wines To His Empire

Filed under: Wine

Lately it seems like every time I turn around billionaire Bill Foley is buying something new. The owner of Foley Family Wines recently announced the purchase of Eos winery in Paso Robles, California. The sale includes the Eos, Cupa Grandis, Lost Angel and Novella labels.

Eos winery was founded by the Arciero family in 1985 but sold to Sapphire Wines in 2007. The winery now produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Petite Sirah, Pinot Grigio among others along with really delicious dessert wines including a Late Harvest Moscato and an outstanding Zinfandel Port. Wines are in the $12 to $40 range. It puts out over 200,00 cases per year and is one of the stars of the growing Paso Robles region. The winery switched to being 100% solar powered in 2008. Back in May 2010, the winery went into receivership.

Foley Family Wines is based in Sonoma but has brands all the way from Napa to New Zealand. Foley is the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Fidelity National Financial Inc. He is also the developer of Rock Creek Cattle Company, an 80,000-acre working Montana ranch with a golf community and real estate development as well as other resort and farm properties around the world.

Tags: bill foley, eos winery, eos wines, paso robles, william p foley, william p foley ii

Wine-Loving Billionaire Picks Up Sonoma Hotel

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Billionaire WIlliam P Foley II has been on a worldwide buying spree lately. Just last month we mentioned that he had picked up a luxury New Zealand resort. This month he's back in the U.S. adding Sonoma's Les Mars hotel to his growing portfolio. This is far from his first purchase in the area, he bought the Chalk Hill Winery in August and purchased Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery in 2008. The purchase price for Les Mars was not disclosed but the deal should be finished next month.

The Les Mars is a well-regarded 16-room boutique hotel which is a secluded hideaway for the rich and famous. Rooms cost $575 to $725 a night. The Santa-Rosa Press Democrat reports that Les Mars also is home to the Cyrus Restaurant, one of the top restaurants in the foodie paradise of Healdsburg and holder of two Michelin stars. The Press-Democrat says that Foley is still looking at Sonoma County properties and wants to buy a flagship winery along Highway 29 in Napa County.

Tags: bill foley, cyrus restaurant, foley family wines, healdsburg, les mars hotels, sonoma, william p foley ii

U.S. Billionaire Snaps Up New Zealand Resort

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

A luxury New Zealand resort is now in American hands. Wharekauhau Lodge is a tranquil getaway in southern Wairarapa that has played host to Tom Cruise, Meg Ryan, Bill Gates and many other rich and famous individuals. Billionaire William P Foley II is the new major shareholder. Foley is the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Fidelity National Financial Inc. He is also the developer of Rock Creek Cattle Company, an 80,000-acre working Montana ranch with a golf community and real estate development. He has not stayed at Wharekauhau before but has invested in New Zealand wine businesses. The sale price of the lodge hasn't been disclosed. The Dominion Post says that the new owners are planning a complete makeover of the property.

Like Foley's Montana property, Wharekauhau is a working farm. The estate is home to Romney and Texel sheep and Angus and Simmental breeds of beef cattle. The farm is 5,500 acres and has a main lodge that resembles an Edwardian country mansion. There's also a small group of guest cottages and Chateau Wellington, a three-bedroom house with views of Palliser Bay. The recreation center includes a heated indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, tennis court and outdoor jacuzzi.

Tags: new zealand, wharekauhau lodge, william p foley ii