Donald Trump buys Va. winery at foreclosure sale

[April 09, 2011]  CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) -- Donald Trump has bought a Virginia vineyard at a foreclosure auction and wants to produce wines.

Media outlets report that representatives for Trump bought the winery Thursday and Trump is in talks with former owners William Moses and Patricia Kluge about running the operation.

Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyards in Charlottesville was put up for sale by a creditor bank.

Preliminary estimates indicate the property sold for less than $7.5 million before any fees. It was estimated to be worth more than $70 million before the recession.

Trump also successfully bid on the trademarks and labels for the winery.

Trump representative Jason Greenblatt told The Daily Progress the billionaire plans on running it as a winery. He said the "Trump brand" signifies luxury and quality.

[Associated Press]

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