The start of 2025 has been a remarkable one for Santa Margherita Gruppo Vinicolo, as Roco Winery, a company within the group, has acquired Marsh Estate, an agricultural property in Oregon, United States. The estate is located in Yamhill-Carlton, within the same wine region as Dundee Hills, and includes vineyards, woodlands, and a residence that, once renovated, can be used for hospitality purposes. Marsh Estate does not currently produce wine but grows grapes. For Roco Winery, a prestigious American wine brand with significant international renown that was acquired by Santa Margherita in 2022, this represents an extraordinary opportunity for expansion.
Strategic acquisition
The acquisition of Marsh Estate (the purchase price has not been disclosed) is described as "strategic." The estate spans over 21 hectares and offers immense potential to expand Roco’s footprint in the region. Marsh Estate is situated at 103 meters above sea level, offering a 360-degree panorama of the surrounding Dundee Hills and Savannah Ridge. The property is already LIVE-certified, a sustainability certification for viticulture in the Pacific Northwest. Roco Winery was founded in 2003 by Rollin Soles and Corby Stonebraker-Soles and has been fully owned by Santa Margherita Gruppo Vinicolo since 2022.
Betting on Oregon and Sparkling Wines
"This further acquisition," explains Andrea Conzonato, CEO of the Fossalta di Portogruaro-based group, "reaffirms our belief in the potential of the Willamette Valley and Oregon’s wine production more broadly." According to Conzonato, this investment aims to increase Roco Winery's production capacity both qualitatively and quantitatively (current production volumes are around 180,000 bottles annually), with "ambitious goals for business expansion. Market signals," concludes Conzonato, "are entirely encouraging, especially for the sparkling wine category and Pinot Noir, which fully align with the preferences of new consumers."
Andrea Conzonato - CEO of Santa Margherita Gruppo Vinicolo
From Veneto to Oregon
Founded in 1935 by Count Gaetano Marzotto, Santa Margherita Gruppo Vinicolo comprises ten different estates across Veneto Orientale, the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene district, Trentino-Alto Adige, Lugana, Franciacorta, Chianti Classico, Maremma, Sicily, and Sardinia. Through its brands Santa Margherita, Torresella, Kettmeir, Ca’ del Bosco, Cà Maiol, Lamole di Lamole, Vistarenni, Sassoregale, Terrelíade, and Cantina Mesa, it represents the most significant family-owned player in Italian winemaking. Over 28 million bottles are sold in more than 90 countries worldwide, generating revenues of approximately 260 million euros. The company is led by the third generation of the family, with Gaetano Marzotto serving as president. Roco Winery, added to the group’s portfolio in 2022, has now expanded further with the acquisition of Marsh Estate in January 2025.
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