CEOs turned vintners

Lompoc, Calif.

Owner
After spending over 20 years as CEO of Fidelity National, where he currently serves as chairman, Bill Foley decided in 1998 to fulfill his winemaking aspirations. The former insurance impresario scouted out 460 acres near his Santa Barbara home for Foley Estates Vineyard and Winery, which specializes in chardonnay and pinot noir.

Recent hit
When Foley Estates released 315 cases of its 2005 Pinot Noir Barrel Select ($50) in the fall of 2007, the limited edition red was received well, earning an "outstanding" score of 90 from Parker's Wine Advocate and a 94 from Wine Enthusiast. Foley describes the wine as "powerful without being heavy" thanks to its "blackberry/blueberry fruit, with racy pomegranate notes."

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