Private equity firm GI Partners has bought a majority stake in Napa`s Far Niente Wine Estates, which includes the Far Niente winery, as well as sister brands Dolce, Nickel & Nickel, EnRoute and Bella Union, Wine Spectator has learned. Beth Nickel and Erik Nickel, members of the company`s founding family, as well as the company`s senior leaders, Dirk Hampson and Larry Maguire, will remain shareholders and active in day-to-day management of the wineries.

`We are thrilled that GI Partners will be making an investment in Far Niente,` said Hampson, the company`s CEO and director of winemaking. `We have a veteran and talented winemaking and management team that is passionate about wine, along with a new partner who supports our core value of making wine without compromise.` Neither side would disclose the size or price of GI Partners` stake in the company, but it is a majority of shares.

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