Renault Winery Story
The Renault Winery Story: Part 1
The Seed of a Legacy is Planted
A True Testament to the Vivamee Way
Our story begins with Louis Nicholas Renault, founder of L.N. Renault & Sons, the individual who formed the basis of Renault Winery & Resort today. Hailing from Mareuil-Sur-Ay, France, the wine merchant settled in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey in 1863, having found the fertile soil he had been looking for to plant his Champagne rootstocks.
New Jersey, known as the fruit basket of the United States for its blueberry and cranberry production, had become home to a small group of European settlers in the early 1800s. As an expert in growing vines in the sandy soil on the banks of the Moselle River and Ahr regions in Germany, it’s likely Louis saw the area was perfect for his sacred vinifera vines brought from France and showed potential for Champagne production.
Taking an average of four years to mature, Louis’s vines were planted and matured just as the Civil War was ending and produced enough wine for him to establish L.N. Renault & Sons. He would go on to focus his efforts in making exceptional campaigns, a legacy at the core of Renault Winery & Resort.
Near his retirement, Louis received his crowning glory in his native France. Experimenting with new grape varieties, the vintner was awarded the coveted gold medal for his Champagne at the 1900 Paris Exposition.
Stay tuned for the next chapter of "The Renault Winery Story" where we explore the expansion and growth of the winery under the stewardship of the Renault family.
The Renault Winery Story: Part 2
A Vision Expands
Louis Renault passed away on August 18, 1913, at age 91, leaving the business and Egg Harbor estate to his son Felix and the rest of the Renault family. By the mid- 1920s and early 1930s, L. N. Renault & Sons Winery was booming. Thanks to connections and an impressive sales team, the company had access to a nationwide distribution network.
A sales snapshot of 1931 revealed Renault gross nationwide sales of $343,725.93 ($6,609,849.63 today) with offices in Boston, Chicago, California, Minneapolis, New York City, and San Francisco.
While the country was mired in Prohibition and The Great Depression, Renault Winery sales flourished. By 1935 sales had doubled to $681,330.94 ($13,101,993.98 today) and were still on the rise. New roads gave Renault rapid access to untapped markets.
By the 1950s, Renault wine was a house-hold name and in 1961, Renault Champagne toasted the 35th U.S. Presidential Inauguration of John F. Kennedy.x
Stay tuned for the next chapter of "The Renault Winery Story," where we explore further milestones and achievements of the Renault family.
The Renault Winery Story: Part 3
PRIOR TO VIVAMEE
By the mid-seventies, European wine imports dominated the U.S. market, and Californian vineyards from Napa Valley flooded shops with cheap box wine. Renault’s mantra had been “export or die,” building a large overseas customer base in the Caribbean and Central America, but this too was waning. Once famous for its American Champagne, with annual sales of 1.5 million bottles, Renault Winery struggled in the 1970s, burdened with corporate debt and a changing market.
When news broke that a century-old building at L. N. Renault & Sons Winery faced demolition, Joseph Milza, of the Ocean County Daily Observer, was moved to intervene. Despite having no experience in winery ownership, his passion for preserving historic buildings led him to purchase the 1,500-acre property. His initial plans for residential development fell through, but his second idea preserved the property.
By the mid-seventies, European wine imports dominated the U.S. market, and Californian vineyards from Napa Valley flooded shops with cheap box wine. Renault’s mantra had been “export or die,” building a large overseas customer base in the Caribbean and Central America, but this too was waning. Once famous for its American Champagne, with annual sales of 1.5 million bottles, Renault Winery struggled in the 1970s, burdened with corporate debt and a changing market.
When news broke that a century-old building at L. N. Renault & Sons Winery faced demolition, Joseph Milza, of the Ocean County Daily Observer, was moved to intervene. Despite having no experience in winery ownership, his passion for preserving historic buildings led him to purchase the 1,500-acre property. His initial plans for residential development fell through, but his second idea preserved the property.
In 1980, a gourmet restaurant opened on the property, with Milza’s daughter, Cynthia, as head chef. This move secured Renault’s financial future, and the Milza family aimed to establish the winery as a tourist destination, envisioning a resort where visitors could tour the winery, sample wine, and dine at an award-winning restaurant.
In 2001, a Mediterranean-style hotel, Tuscany House, was constructed with 55 guest rooms and suites, featuring Italian-inspired frescos by local artist Sam Donavan. Guests could relax in the hotel gardens or by one of two swimming pools. In 2004, a world-class 220-acre golf course, designed by acclaimed golfer Ed Shearon, was added, completing the Milza family’s dream of creating a top-rated resort.
Stay tuned for the next chapter of "The Renault Winery Story," where we uncover more heartfelt moments and significant triumphs that have woven the rich tapestry of our heritage. Thank you for being a part of our journey.
The Renault Winery Story: Part 4
The Fall
The optimism of the new century was overshadowed by dark clouds, and along with it, the fortunes of Renault Winery. After the tragic terror attacks on 9/11, the global travel and hospitality industry collapsed as people stopped flying, and within a few short months a global recession that had been brewing since 1999 had had peaked.
In 2014 the entire property was scheduled to be sold at a sheriff’s auction, but the sale was canceled when the business filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Camden, N.J. OceanFirst Bank would later foreclose on Renault, beginning a merry- go-round of prospective buyers who would tour Renault and its winery and golf course – all in need of investment and new life – with no positive results
Stay tuned for the next chapter of "The Renault Winery Story," where we unveil the final part of our journey: "THE VIVAMEE REVIVAL," a tale of rebirth and resurgence that has restored Renault to its former glory.
The Renault Winery Story: Part 5
THE VIVAMEE REVIVAL
Accountable Equity steps in to play a crucial role in Renault Winery’s revival. This company and community allows investors to pool money to buy real estate together. Unlike typical Wall Street equity firms, Accountable Equity is not exclusive to the ultra-rich and instead is focused on bringing luxury products like Renault to retail investors.
Josh McCallen emphasizes the unique approach: “Using some of the best strategies and legal formations, we want to create something beautiful together. It’s very much an organic private equity group, maybe the first one ever talked about of its kind.” Investors benefit from powerful tax strategies, owning tangible assets, and an inflation hedge.
Recognizing Renault Winery as the opportunity he sought, McCallen was ready to take on the challenge. “When my wife and I saw this property in 2018, we were looking at a very dilapidated version of its current glory – a glory so far gone that it almost seemed like a myth. We saw so much potential.”
Despite the business’s decline, McCallen saw the potential to revive the winery, which had a modest golf course, a dying hotel operation, and an almost non- existent wine business.
From this vision, Vivâmee Hospitality was born, the company that now operates Renault Winery. Vivâmee purchased Renault Winery in 2018 and began the revitalization process, breathing new life into the historic property.
McCallen adds that they envisioned bringing all the buildings together with a purpose: to create a little of what they imagined Louis Renault would have had in his little village in France, with ideas from their visits to Paris or maybe the French Quarter in New Orleans.
Although beauty and caring for people through hospitality are at the heart of McCallen’s business philosophy, he is also practical. He realizes sales are what drives a business. “We have to sell. We re-envisioned sales as a gift. Even though we have so much more we want to do with business than just the transaction of a sale, we are pragmatists, and we realize that in order to build the beautiful, we must stay open and thrive in order to pay people wages. We have one core philosophy: sales are sacred.”
Whether enjoying a classic American favorite at Taste 1864 or a Parisian-inspired pastry at Cafe la Fleur, Renault believes that thoughtfully prepared fare should do more than just sustain; it should resonate with the soul.
Some visit for a get away. Some come for the cuisine. Some use this space to celebrate their marriage and start their new lives. Couples who choose Renault as their venue will be treated to the best wine, Renault’s famous American Champagne, cuisine prepared by renowned chefs, and picturesque surroundings that make the perfect backdrop for the Big Day. They can also choose from 10 sites: seven indoor venues with the possibility of having their wedding in the Marquee or two other outside locales.
Our 18 hole championship course provides the privilege of teeing off among the original vines our founder cultivated to create his famed American Champagne. Vineyard National’s international draw stems from the fusion of pristine greens, challenging play, and novel experience.
Leadership and legacy
Josh McCallen
CEO OF VIVÂMEE HOSPITALITY & ACCOUNTABLE EQUITY
Josh is the Principle director of Vivâmee hospitality and Accountable Equity. He has been Responsible for the acquisition, rehabilitation, and ongoing performance of Renault.
Though josh is only one part of a large team, his vision and leadership is the driving force behind Renault’s success.
Josh has hospitality and ministry in his veins, this shows clearly in his character, work ethic, and in the success of Renault itself.
As the final pages of this story unfold, the legacy of Renault Winery & Resort stands as a testament to time, passion, and resilience. From the visionary roots planted by Louis Nicholas Renault to the innovative transformations under modern stewardship, each chapter of this story is one of dedication to the craft of winemaking and hospitality. The journey from its humble beginnings to its present grandeur serves as a reminder that a legacy built on tradition and innovation will continue to flourish for generations to come.