The Gussalli Beretta family (Agricole Gussalli Beretta) invests in Oregon with Ken Wright Cellars

Investing in an industry means believing in its future. Investing outside one’s own country means believing in a future shaped by global markets and connections. Investing in an enterprise that has shaped the history of a region means wanting to help pass on its legacy to the present and the contemporary world. This is exactly what the Gussalli Beretta family has done through the holding company Upifra Agricole, which manages the family’s wine-related holdings (as part of the Agricole Gussalli Beretta group, which encompasses 170 hectares of vineyards and includes Lo Sparviere in Franciacorta, Steinhaus in South Tyrol, Fortemasso in Monforte d’Alba, Castello di Radda in Chianti Classico, Orlandi Contucci in the Teramo Hills, the Fabio Motta estate in Bolgheri, and a minority stake in Leonardo Specogna in the Colli Orientali del Friuli), has formed a partnership with Ken Wright Cellars, one of the wineries that has shaped the history of Pinot Noir in Oregon. Under the agreement, the Gussalli Beretta family acquires (for an undisclosed amount) “a significant stake in Ken Wright Cellars. Founder Ken Wright will continue to lead the company as the majority shareholder and serve as winemaker; the teams responsible for vineyard management, winemaking, and hospitality will also remain unchanged”.
The transaction, which thus strengthens Italy’s presence in Oregon (where the Marzotto family, which through Santa Margherita USA controls the renowned Roco Winery, and the Frescobaldi family, owner of the Domaine Roy & Fils winery, have already invested in the past), “is structured on several levels: the Gussalli Beretta family’s investment, in addition to a substantial minority stake in the production company, is complemented by the acquisition of the historic vineyards and real estate dedicated to winemaking, allowing Ken Wright Cellars to focus even more on producing high-end wines that are increasingly nuanced and expressive”. An exceptional “birthday gift” for the Gussalli Beretta family, which in 2026 celebrated 500 years of industrial history in the defense, hunting, and outdoor sectors, with a business that has been run continuously by the same family for 15 generations.
And, as mentioned, it has also been active in the wine industry since 1974, with the founding of Lo Sparviere on its estate in Franciacorta. Over the next 50 years, the family built a group comprising seven wineries located in some of Italy’s most renowned wine-growing regions: Fortemasso in the Barolo production area, Castello di Radda in Chianti Classico, Steinhaus in South Tyrol, Orlandi Contucci Ponno in Abruzzo, and Fabio Motta in Bolgheri, as well as a significant minority stake in Leonardo Specogna, in Friuli. Ken Wright Cellars represents the family’s first investment in the wine sector outside of Italy, and it is a prestigious investment. The winery has built its reputation by producing wines that reflect the characteristics of their terroir, expressing the distinctive character of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Ken Wright, in particular, was the first winemaker from Oregon to appear on the cover of “Wine Spectator” in 2015, and the first to have one of his wines ranked number one in the world by “Wine Enthusiast” (the 2012 Ken Wright Abbott Claim Vineyard Pinot Noir, in 2014, ed.); Furthermore, he has earned more accolades with scores of 90/100 or higher than any other winemaker in Oregon’s history. Focusing on craftsmanship, precision, and strong relationships with growers, Ken Wright Cellars remains one of the most respected names in Oregon’s wine industry. The winery manages a total of approximately 70 hectares of vineyards and has annual revenue of nearly $12 million.
“When I began thinking about the next 40 years, I was looking for a partner who shared a generational vision and who had a deep respect for the beauty of Pinot Noir in this world-class region”, said Ken Wright, founder of Ken Wright Cellars. “Great wines are born only when the vine and the terroir are in perfect harmony. The Gussalli Beretta family shares this understanding with me. We cultivate the vineyards and produce wine from exceptional vines - many of which have been under our care since the 1980s and 1990s - with the utmost respect for the land. Furthermore, the Gussalli Beretta family values experience and authentic artisanal craftsmanship. Each of the Italian wineries they have acquired has retained its independent spirit, its own staff, and its identity rooted in the local territory. That is exactly what I wanted for us”.
“Ken Wright has helped show the world the potential of Oregon Pinot Noir”, says Pietro Gussalli Beretta, who runs the family business alongside his brother Franco. “Our family has always believed that the best results come from patience, precision, and respect for tradition. We see these same values in every bottle Ken produces. Our role is to support everything the team has built over the years, offering our business expertise so that Ken Wright Cellars can continue to thrive in an increasingly complex market; the goal is for our families to remain partners for generations to come. Our family has firmly committed to Oregon, adds Pietro Gussalli Beretta, “and specifically to the Willamette Valley, as the ideal place to invest in the United States; we believe that the region’s winemaking potential and the quality of the wines produced here are perfectly aligned with our vision: to create premium wines with a strong connection to the land”.
Ken Wright, the note goes on to explain, arrived in the Willamette Valley in 1986, founding Panther Creek Cellars before establishing Ken Wright Cellars in 1994. He is known for his focused approach to showcasing exceptional vineyards (he produces Pinot Noir wines from 14 different plots) and played a leading role in defining the first six wine subregions. He authored the petition submitted to federal authorities that led to the creation of the Yamhill-Carlton American Viticultural Area. His strong connection to the local community and its traditions is evident in other ways as well; the winery’s charming tasting room, for example, is located inside the historic Carlton rail yard. Nothing changes for Wine Club members or Ken Wright Cellars’ business partners. The sources of the grapes, the winemaking approach, the Club’s programs, and distribution remain unchanged. However, a new chapter is beginning, marked by the significant involvement of one of Italy’s longest-standing and most prominent entrepreneurial families.