Newberg’s Vinovate acquires the Radiant Sparkling Wine Company

More than 100 wineries in Oregon have embraced traditional methods for crafting sparkling wines, and in some cases their efforts have resulted in vintages receiving international acclaim. The recent merger of two high-profile Yamhill County companies is expected to enhance Oregon’s stature in that segment of the industry.

Last week it was announced that Newberg-based Vinovate Custom Wine Services has acquired the Radiant Sparkling Wine Company, a firm specializing in equipment and services designed for sparkling wine production. The resulting partnership, company officials said in a release, is expected to “create the most robust set of resources available to Oregon producers pursuing traditional method sparkling wine.”

Radiant, launched in 2013 by Andrew Davis, is best known for providing mobile tirage (withdrawing wine from a barrel for tasting or testing) and bottling services to small production sparkling wine producers. The company works with in excess of three dozen wineries statewide, including several that have received international acclaim for their vintages, providing specialized equipment and technical knowledge to the smaller wineries that don’t have those services in-house.

But Radiant has reached its capacity to aid those wineries, which paved the way for the acquisition that will expand its capacity and services to more wine and sparkling wine producers.
“This moment validates everything we’ve been working toward for the last decade,” Davis said. “When I founded Radiant, there were only a handful of people making sparkling wine in Oregon. Now we’re seeing traditional method wines from Oregon winning global recognition. I’m thrilled to see the category thrive — and this next chapter with Vinovate will help even more producers bring beautiful bubbles to life.”

Radiant will continue operating out of its McMinnville facility with the same equipment and team. Davis will remain as a full-time consultant for at least one year to support the transition and future growth of the company.

“We’re proud to build on the incredible foundation that Andrew and the Radiant team have established,” Rob Townsend, co-founder and executive chair of Vinovate, said. “Oregon is now home to some of the best sparkling wines in the world, and this acquisition allows us to help catalyze further growth by expanding capacity and delivering the full range of producer needs — whether they are looking for custom base wine, tirage support, disgorgement or any other turnkey solutions in sparkling production.”

A wealth of services

Vinovate has made its name by providing on-site gravity flow crush, primary fermentation, base wine production, tirage, riddling, disgorgement and bottling services for its customers.

“Vinovate’s focus has always been on supporting Oregon producers who wish to create great wines from locally sourced grapes,” Bryan Weil, Vinovate’s managing director, said. “The addition of Radiant to our group will allow us to expand services available to Radiant customers, including the production of base wines, and to use our greater resources to enable more customers to benefit from the combined expertise of the Vinovate and Radiant teams.”