NAPA VALLEY, CALIF.---Pulido-Walker proprietors Mark Pulido and Donna Walker have purchased of Carmen and Gail Policy’s Yountville Estate, including the Policy Vineyard, home of Casa Piena wines. The historic property’s residence, designed by architect Howard Backen, will be Mark and Donna’s new family home; their Mt. Veeder house was destroyed by the 2017 Napa Valley fires.
      Carmen Policy is a former defense lawyer, perhaps best-known locally for defending reputed mob boss Joey Naples, and also former Boardman Court Judge Jack Lipari
      He went on to become chief legal counsel for the San Francisco 49ers, and led played a key role in the return of the Cleveland Browns into the National Football League, as a minority owner of that franchise.
      After a 25-year career as an NFL executive, Policy and his wife, Gail, knew it was time for a change. They found it in the amazing lifestyle and challenges that viticulture and the Napa Valley offered. Wine, sunshine, great food and romance were the enticements that could not be resisted.
      Their plan was always to return to northern California and they did so in 2004. The San Francisco 49ers and the NFL became an extension of a strong sense of family that they both carried with them from their native Mahoning Valley.
      “We are proud to announce that Casa Piena is maintaining its perfect roots in the soil in which it was born while the Policy’s will be seeking a new home address in the Napa Valley. Just when you think that some things will never change along comes an unexpected opportunity. Our unique and lovely estate will be transferred to the founding owners of the Pulido Walker Brand who are also major partners in the Mending Wall Winery facility. Donna Walker and Mark Pulido are outstanding people who have brought significant business talent and skills to their passionate effort in creating wines of enviable character and stature. They are also great stewards of the environment who have fallen in love with the special 14 acre Yountville jewel and its iconic vineyard that we developed with farming manager Barbour Vineyards and wine maker Thomas Brown,” Mr. Policy said.
      Their estate will be transferred to the founding owners of the Pulido Walker Brand who are also major partners in the Mending Wall Winery facility.
      “Donna Walker and Mark Pulido are outstanding people who have brought significant business talent and skills to their passionate effort in creating wines of enviable character and stature. They are also great stewards of the environment who have fallen in love with the special 14 acre Yountville jewel and its iconic vineyard that we developed with farming manager Barbour Vineyards and wine maker Thomas Brown.
      “We have known this couple for approximately 12 years and have come to revere them and their son as family friends. Based upon his reputation and accomplishments, it is no coincidence that we both have Thomas Brown as our wine maker. He is intricately involved in supporting each of our winery productions and business operations.
      “Part of this mutually beneficial transaction provides that Thomas will keep on selecting the perfect grapes for Casa Piena from the estate, ensuring the continued tradition of excellence established with our first vintage back in 2006. Our wines will continue to be classified as Estate Grown. There will be no interruption or even a wrinkle in our wine business operation. This new arrangement and the continuity of team members will facilitate an expansion of creative involvement that will benefit both families and businesses. We view this arrangement as a new chapter in the Casa Piena story that will be a special addition to our family library which will sit alongside the classic volumes that now exists,” Mr. Policy said.
      “We had originally hoped to rebuild after the devastating fires,” said Donna. “But after more than 18 months of work, we realized the insurance environment and construction market didn’t support our original plan. Once we discovered the magical Policy family home, our decision was fast.”
      The property is tucked behind and nestled at the base of one of the few valley floor knolls and is part of Napa Valley’s storied history. First owned by the Lincoln family from 1877 to 1966, it was then transferred to Rose Mondavi. The Policy’s acquired the land from her family in 2003, building the estate and planting the vineyard.
      “This is a major milestone in our patient pursuit of the possible,” said Mark. “We’re so pleased that the Policy family is entrusting us with this Napa Valley legacy.” The sale closed July 15; financial details for this off-market, private transaction will not be disclosed.
      Carmen Policy’s first career was that of a trial lawyer providing an opportunity to help defend and promote the interests of his clients in a competitive and dramatic setting.
      He expanded his efforts into the NFL in 1979 while still maintaining a successful career in law. Carmen then joined the San Francisco 49ers organization, where he played a key role in all five of the 49ers’ Super Bowl winning teams.
      Thanks to his friend and client, Eddie DeBartolo Jr., he was involved in helping to establish th 49ers as one of the preeminent franchises in all of sports, winning five Super Bowl titles.
      He and his wife Gail found their new life and their new home in San Francisco to be a virtual fairytale come true and moved there permanently in 1991. They returned to Ohio for five years in 1998 when Policy served as President, CEO and part owner of the Cleveland Browns expansion franchise.