BV was there: The 1970s–’90s, the Calm Below the Surface

Beaulieu Vineyard may have left the ownership of the de Latour family, and it would change hands several more times, but the people behind the scenes remained remarkably consistent, many of them having spent decades as part of the team. Their love for our vineyards, wines, and traditions helped BV preserve its cherished heritage while innovating and evolving, just as it always had. 

1970

André Tchelistcheff receives the American Society of Enologists Merit Award. 

1973

After 35 years as BV’s winemaker, André Tchelistcheff retires. 

1979

As white wine booms, the Los Angeles Times praises BV’s continued commitment to Cabernet Sauvignon.

1982

Joel Aiken becomes BV winemaker.

1986

In BV’s Carneros vineyards, vandals cut down 1,300 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines.

1989

Jeffrey Stambor joins BV as a viticulturist and enologist, joining the winemaking team in 1995.

1990

BV celebrates the 50th anniversary of Georges de Latour Private Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

1991

André Tchelistcheff returns to BV as a winemaking consultant and mentor.

1994

Our beloved Maestro, André Tchelistcheff, dies. The Los Angeles Times calls him, “America’s pioneer maker of fine wines who helped dozens of wineries get their start.”

1997

International wine and spirits company Diageo acquires BV. This was accomplished through a complex series of mergers and acquisitions: Heublein, BV’s owner after the de Latour family, was acquired by RJR Nabisco then sold to Grand Metropolitan, which was renamed Diageo in a merger with Guinness.

1998