Who owns what--a guide to wine brands

That interesting new wine brand you saw at the store the other day--is it an independent, artisanal operation, or is it the brainchild of a megacorporation's marketing department?

Large wine corporations are capable of making good, even great wines, so the mere fact that Brand X is in fact owned by MegaCorp Y does not necessarily mean that the Brand X wine will be no good. But large corporations are rarely adventurous or innovative, at least when it comes to consumer products. Given the choice between a $10 bottle from some genuinely small operation we have never heard of, and a $10 bottle from, say, the E&J Gallo family of products, we will always opt for the former on the grounds that we are much more likely to discover something new, interesting, even challenging.

Below you will find a list of most of the brands owned, produced or distributed by the major players in the wine industry. If there is sufficient demand, we can develop a tri-fold wallet size card for you. In the meantime, use this list as a field guide next time you are out shopping for wine.

As always, your comments are welcome. Have you tried any of the brands below? What have been your experiences? Do you wonder who really owns a new brand you have seen? If you can't find it on the list below, zap us a note and we will do our best sleuthing to get you an answer.

Nota bene: this list was compiled in February 2009. While we strived for accuracy we cannot guarantee that the list is free of errors, and we apologize for any errors herein. Change is rapid in the wine world, and doubtless many of the brands below will have or soon will vanish, change hands, be joined by sister brands, etc.

E&J Gallo owns, produces and/or distributes
Martin Codax (Spain)
Don Miguel Gascon (Argentina)
Alamos (Chile)
Ecco Domani (Italy)
Bella Sera (Italy)
Sebeca (South Africa)
Red Bicyclette (France)
Da Vinci (Italy)
Black Swan (Australia)
Redwood Creek
Gallo of Sonoma/Gallo Family
Frei Brothers
MacMurray Ranch
Napa Valley Vineyards
Marcelina
Anapamu
Indigo Hills
Andre
Ballatore
Boone's Farm
Turning Leaf
Peter Vella
Carlo Rossi
Twin Valley
William Hill
Canyon Road
Louis M Martini
Martha Stewart Vintage
Barefoot Cellars

The Wine Group owns, produces and/or distributes
Franzia
Fish Eye
Big House
Corbett Canyon
Glen Ellen
Foxhorn
Mogen David
Almaden
Ingelnook
Concannon
Cupcake Cellars
Pinot Evil
Herding Cats
Italian Casarsa
MG Vallejo
Morassutti

Constellation Brands owns, produces and/or distributes
Robert Mondavi Winery
Woodbridge by Mondavi
Franciscan Estates
Clos du Bois
Arbor Mist
Mount Veeder
Simi
Estancia
Inniskillin (Canada)
Drylands (NZ)
Kim Crawford (NZ)
Tintara (Australia)
Ruffino (Italy)
Black Box
Nobilo (NZ)
Ravenswood
Blackstone
Toasted Head
RH Phillips
Hogue
Alice White
Cook's
Talus
Vendange
Monkey Bay
Rex Goliath
Turner Road

Bronco Wine Company owns, produces, and/or distributes
Forestville
Estrella
Montpellier
Grand Cru
Silver Ridge
Rutherford Vintners
Hacienda
Fox Hollow
Napa Ridge
Harlow Ridge
Santa Barbara Landing
Fat Cat
Crane Lake
Forest Glen
Foxbrook
JW Morris
Quail Ridge
Sea Ridge
Charles Shaw
Napa Creek

Fosters owns, produces and/or distributes
Beringer
Lindeman's (Australia)
Wolf Blass (Australia)
Penfolds (Australia)
Rosemount (Australia)
Wynns Coonawarra Estate (Australia)
Etude
Stags' Leap Winery
St Clement
Chateau St Jean
Souverain
Asti
Meridian
Bohemian Highway
Festival 34

Trinchero Family Estates owns, produces and/or distributes
Sutter Home
Napa Cellars
Folie a Deux
Fre
Montevina (being renamed Terra D'Oro)
Trinity Oaks
Trinchero
Reynolds
Little Boomey (Australia)
Three Thieves
The Show
Wild Bunch
True Earth
Red Belly Black (Australia)
Paul Newman
Jargon
Sea Glass

Ste Michelle Wine Estates owns, produces and/or distributes
Chateau/Domaine Ste Michelle
Columbia Crest
Snoqualmie
Northstar
Stimson Estate
Red Diamond
Eroica
Col Solare
Conn Creek
Villa Mt Eden
14 Hands Winery
Distant Bay Winery
Erath
Vineyard 10

Diageo Chateaux & Estates owns, produces or distributes
Beaulieu Vineyard
Sterling
Solaris
Century Cellars
Acacia
Moon Mountain
FE Trimbach
Barton & Guestier
Chalone
Edna Valley
Rosenblum
Navarro Correas (Argentina)
Alma Viva (Chile)
Sacred Hill (NZ)
Canoe Ridge
Jade Mountain
Sagelands
Echelon
Provenance
Hewitt
Orogeny
Dynamite
Archetype (Australia)
New Harbor (NZ)
Stellina di Notte (Italy)

Jackson Family Wines owns, produces and/or distributes
Kendall-Jackson
White Rocket
Cardinale
Atalon
Lokoya
Carmel Road
Cambria
Hartford Court/Hartford Family
Matanzas Creek
La Crema
Stonestreet
Verite
Archipel
Freemark Abbey
Arrowood
Murphy-Goode
La Jota
Pelton House
Kinton
Maggy Hawk
Highland Estates
Byron
Edmeades
Calina

Delicato owns, produces and/or distributes
Delicato
Bota Box
King Fish
Night Owl
Twisted
Gnarly Head
Chateau Maris (France)
Joe Blow
Loredona
Brazin
Foghead
337
Irony
Clay Station

Terlato Wines International owns, produces and/or distributes
Alderbrook
Baglio di Pianetto
Bodega Tamari
Bollinger
Boutari
Brandlin
Ca' del Bosco
Ca'Marcanda
Chanson
Chimney Rock
Cuvaison Estate Wines
Domaine Tournon
Episode
Ernie Els Wines
Gaja
Galaxy
Giarrusso
Glass Mountain
Hanna
Il Poggione
Josmeyer
Kettmeir
Langlois-Chateau
Luke Donald Collection
M. Chapoutier
Markham
Martinez
Mazzoni
Mischief & Mayhem
Nonino
Olvera
Peller Estates
Rochioli
Rust en Vrede
Rutherford Hill
Sanford
Santa Margherita
Seven Daughters

Sokol Blosser
Tangley Oaks
Terlato Family Vineyards
Terlato-Chapoutier

Gunns Limited owns, produces and/or distributes
Tamar Ridge Kayena Vineyard
Devil's Corner