Tony Rynders at Panther Creek

Last month, it was announced that Bacchus Capital, the San Francisco-based private equity firm founded by Sam Bronfman (ex-Seagram and Diageo), Peter Kaufman and Henry Owsley (both of Gordian Group), purchased Panther Creek in McMinnville. 

Most recently, the company revealed more details, including the hiring of winemaker Tony Rynders as Panther Creek’s consulting winemaker, replacing Michael Stevenson.

The Bacchus deal includes the Panther Creek name and brand, but former owner Liz Chambers, along with other family members, will retain the winery in McMinnville and plans to launch a new label, Elizabeth Chambers Cellars, with Stevenson, who will also continue his own brand, Stevenson-Barrie, at the same facility.

Formerly, Rynders was the winemaker at Domaine Serene. In 2008, he left to create his own brand, Tendril, and pursue a consulting business, which now includes five different clients producing approximately 14,000 cases a year.