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PRESS RELEASE
Barefoot® Cellars Celebrates 18 Years of
Success; Wines Bottled for the First Time in 1986.
SANTA ROSA, Calif. March 30, 2004--Just over
eighteen years ago, from their home on the former Fred McMurray
Ranch in the heart of Sonoma County's Russian River Valley, Michael
Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey were planning the first bottling of their
newly developed label, Barefoot Cellars. After designing the label
(which is actually Harvey's foot), and researching all of the production
and winemaking aspects of their project, they were ready to bottle
their first case of wine.
During the research phase Houlihan asked one of the most knowledgeable
industry buyers what he would like to see in a wine package. "Don
Brown of Lucky Stores of Northern California gave me the most memorable
advice," claimed Houlihan. Brown said, "Give me a salt
and pepper act, with a taste they will remember and a name they'll
never forget and put it in a pig." Houlihan was thoroughly
confused! He asked his wine industry friends to please translate;
"Make a high quality red and white varietal wine with an easy
to remember name and logo and put them in magnum sized bottles."
So that is exactly what Houlihan and Harvey did. They originally
produced Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Barefoot Cab), and
Sauvignon Blanc (Barefoot Blanc) in 1.5L bottles selling for $4.99
on the shelf under the now famous Barefoot label. Later that first
year, Barefoot Blanc was awarded a Gold Medal at the Sonoma County
Harvest Fair.
Now, 18 years later, Houlihan and Harvey,
co-founders of Barefoot Cellars, are selling wines throughout the
United States and Internationally. With a strong sales staff and
market support staff, Barefoot Cellars will sell over 500,000 cases
of wine in 2004. "We are extremely goal oriented in our company,"
stated Harvey. "Currently our numeric goal is to hit 1 million
cases within the next 5 years, however at this rate it may happen
faster than that!"
Barefoot Cellars' exceptional growth was recognized
by receiving Impact's 'Hot Brand' award for 2004. Wineries that
qualify for this award must sell over 250,000 cases per year, experience
double-digit growth for the last 3 consecutive years, and demonstrate
over 20% growth in the last year. Marvin Shanken, editor of The
Wine Spectator, and Impact Magazine, will deliver the Hot Brand
Award to Houlihan and Harvey at this year's Wine and Spirits Wholesaler
Convention held in Las Vegas this April.
The Barefoot Cellars portfolio has expanded
over the past 18 years to include 37 different products, including
Barefoot on the Beach wines, Barefoot Bubbly Chardonnay Champagnes,
Barefoot Reserve Sonoma County wines and the 'original' Barefoot
Cellars (California) wines. The Beach wines and 'Original' line
are available in both 750ml and 1.5L bottles. Except for the Barefoot
Reserve line, all of the Barefoot Cellars wines have a suggested
retail price under $10 in California.
"Our goal has always been to make affordable
wines for everyday drinking," commented Houlihan. "The
Barefoot Cellars original mission statement still rings true: the
best wines at the best price." Over the past 4 years, Barefoot
wines have been awarded over 750 medals, including many Gold and
Double Gold medals.
For more information about Barefoot Cellars,
please contact the winery directly at 707-524-8000.
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