Trophy hunting season opens: rumor mill

With Beam sold off, acquisitions are now (again) the hot topic of conversation...
(In reality, they're always a hot topic, just usually invisible to those outside the industry.)

Rumors have persisted for the past few months that higher-end producers in Sonoma and Napa counties are eyeing deals that would have been heresy just a few years ago.

Apparently, the high prices paid for Screaming Eagle, Duckhorn, and Stag's Leap are being used as a precedent for the new round of sales, much like A-Rod's next contract (or that of any professional baseball player worth their salt) seems to keep skyrocketing on the news of the previous "record deal" set only moments prior...

Persistent and multi-source rumors are circulating about Pahlmeyer, Phelps, and Kistler...though how close to completion any of them are if true, what astronomical prices they're asking for, or who exactly the buyers might be is uncertain at this time...
I'd bet we'll see plenty of money change hands with the sale of any of those...
It's almost feels like it's opening day of trophy hunting season...