E & J Gallo Winery

E & J Gallo Winery
Location Modesto, California, United States
Other labels Boone's Farm, E. & J. Brandy, Ecco Domani, Mirassou Winery, New Amsterdam Gin, Red Bicyclette, Bartles & Jaymes, Thunderbird, among others
Founded 1933
Key people Ernest Gallo (founder)
Julio Gallo (founder)
Gina Gallo (winemaker)
Stephanie Gallo
Varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot noir, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah
Distribution International
Website gallo.com, gallofamily.co.uk

E & J Gallo Winery is a winery and distributor headquartered in Modesto, California. It was founded in 1933 by Ernest Gallo and Julio Gallo, and is the largest exporter of California wines.[1]

History

The two brothers started the winery in 1933,[2] following the repeal of Prohibition after years of growing and selling grapes.[1] Ernest and Julio were competing against larger, more established, and better financed companies, including more than 800 wine companies established in the first few years after the repeal of Prohibition in California. Their starting capital was less than $6,000, with $5,000 of that borrowed by Ernest from his mother-in-law. The brothers learned the craft of commercial winemaking by reading old, pre-Prohibition pamphlets published by the University of California which they retrieved from the basement of the Modesto Public Library.[3]

By 1993, E. & J. Gallo was the country's largest winery, with a 25% share of the American wine market.[2]

Business

Trademark disputes

In 1986, the Gallo brothers sued their younger brother Joseph for selling cheese branded with the Joseph Gallo Farms name. Joseph then counterclaimed, alleging that Ernest and Julio conspired to steal his share of the inheritance from their father. This claim included the winery, where the evidence submitted by Joseph's attorney suggested that it was actually started by their father. Joseph Gallo lost both suits and was forced to change the name of his business to Joseph Farms.[4]

In the 1990s, Gallo Winery made an agreement with Gallo Pasta (a Spanish company) that the latter would not sell their pasta in the United States.[5] Gallo filed a cease-and-desist order[6][7] in April 2009 against "The Spanish Table," a Seattle-based specialty food retailer, for carrying the pasta despite the previous agreement with the maker.[5]

Production

Gallo Family Ruby Cabernet

E & J Gallo Winery is the largest family-owned winery in the United States.[8]

In February 2010, twelve French winemakers and traders who had supplied wine to Gallo for its Red Bicyclette brand were found guilty in a French court of fraud, as they had claimed an inferior wine sold to Gallo was Pinot noir.[9]

Distribution

In addition to the Gallo Family Vineyards brand, the company makes, markets, and distributes wine under more than 60 other labels.[10] (See below for a list of other labels/brands.) The company also makes the low-end fortified wines Thunderbird and Night Train Express.

On September 14, 2007, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia announced a partnership with E & J Gallo Winery to produce a brand of wine labelled "Martha Stewart Vintage." The initial release was to be 15,000 cases, consisting of 2006 Sonoma County Chardonnay, 2005 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon and 2006 Sonoma County Merlot (for Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, North Carolina, Denver, Phoenix, and Portland, Oregon).[11]

Labor relations

In October 2009, the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board (CALRB) revoked a 2007 election to eject the United Farm Workers from Gallo Winery,[12] citing interference from Gallo.

This was the second time in a decade a vote to remove the union was overturned due to allegations of Gallo illegally trying to influence proceedings; the other was a 2003 ruling in which the CALRB threw out an election citing a foreman improperly requesting signatures for the petition for the vote.[13] Gallo appealed that decision.

Ecological impact

Gallo helped develop and implement the Code of Sustainable Wine Growing Practices,[14] in collaboration with the Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers.

The Code promotes sustainable practices which are environmentally sound, economically feasible and socially equitable. It covers virtually every aspect of the wine business including viticulture and grape growing, wine making, purchasing and building and maintaining productive relationships with neighbors and the local communities.[15]

Gallo received ISO 14001 certification from the International Organization for Standardization.[8] The certification was created to globally assist and guide companies to reduce their environmental impact.

In April 2009, the California State Water Resources Control Board served Gallo Glass Co. (a Gallo Winery subsidiary) with a cease and desist order and $73,000 fine[16] for allegedly channeling water from the Russian River into an unlicensed reservoir;[16] however, there are provisions for licensing the reservoir under proper monitoring of flow and capacity.[17]

Marketing

Ernest and Julio were among the pioneers of wine advertising on television and launched many wine advertising campaigns. (One of these helped to popularize "Hymne," composed and performed by Vangelis Papathanassiou, by featuring it as background music in some of its television commercials.) They were the first to introduce brand management and modern merchandising to the wine industry, and led the way in bringing new products to store shelves. They were first in breakthrough quality initiatives such as long-term grower contracts for varietal grapes and grape research programs.[3] They were also first to establish a truly significant foreign sales and marketing force to export California wines overseas.[1]

Wine brands

A bottle of André
While the United States agreed in 2006 to not approve any new wine labels for US-produced products that include the term "Champagne," André is legally allowed to use the term as a grandfathered label. André's Brut California Champagne has been described as the sparkling wine that many people have noted was their first experience with this variety of wine. One champagne expert said it is "like ginger ale - pale yellow in color, lemony and on the sweet side, with maybe an apple flavor as well and low bubbles".[19]

Barefoot Wine

Barefoot Wine is a brand of wine produced by Barefoot Cellars which is based in Modesto, California. The winery was bought by E & J Gallo Winery in 2005.[22]

Barefoot Wine was introduced in 1986 by Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey.[23] Barefoot is a brand whose slogan is “Get Barefoot and Have a Great Time!” Barefoot’s winemaker Jennifer Wall produces 17 unique varietals and blends: Zinfandel, Shiraz, Merlot, Pinot noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, White Zinfandel, Moscato, Pinot grigio, Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sweet Red, Brut Cuvee Chardonnay sparkling wine, Extra Dry sparkling wine, Pinot grigio sparkling wine, Moscato Spumante, and Pink Cuvee sparkling wine. In 2007, Barefoot launched 187-milliliter bottles. Barefoot wines are distributed throughout the United States and exported to Canada, Europe, and Asia. In May 2010 Barefoot Wine announced new UK national grocery listings and new strategic partnerships.[24]

Barefoot has received several awards and accolades including:

Barefoot Wine sponsors the Association of Volleyball Professionals. Since 2007, Barefoot Wine has partnered with the Surfrider Foundation to form the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project.[27]

Additional brands

  • Alamos - distributor [28]
  • Anapamu
  • Apothic
  • Ballatore
  • Barefoot
  • Bartles & Jaymes
  • Bella Sera
  • Black Swan
  • Bridlewood
  • Boone's Farm
  • Camarena tequilas
  • Carnivor
  • Cask & Cream
  • ChocolatRouge
  • Clarendon Hills
  • Columbia Winery
  • Covey Run
  • Dancing Bull
  • DaVinci
  • Delicia
  • Don Miguel Gascon
  • E. & J. VS Brandy
  • E. & J. VSOP Brandy
  • E. & J. XO Brandy
  • Ecco Domani
  • Frei Brothers
  • Frutézia
  • Gallo Family Vineyards Estate
  • Gallo Family Vineyards Single Vineyard
  • Gallo Family Vineyards Sonoma
  • Ghost Pines
  • Indigo Hills
  • J Vineyards and Winery
  • La Marca
  • Laguna
  • Las Rocas
  • Liberty Creek
  • Livingston Cellars
  • Louis M. Martini
  • MacMurray Ranch
  • Martĩn Cõdax
  • Maso Canali
  • Matthew Fox Vineyards(since 2004)[29]
  • Mattie's Perch
  • McWilliam's
  • Mirassou Vineyards
  • New Amsterdam Gin
  • New Amsterdam Vodka
  • Peter Vella
  • Pölka Dot
  • Rancho Zabaco
  • Red Bicyclette
  • Redwood Creek
  • Red Rock Winery
  • Sebeka
  • Shellback Rum
  • Thunderbird
  • Tisdale Vineyards
  • Turning Leaf
  • Twin Valley
  • Vella Wines
  • Viniq
  • Whitehaven
  • William Hill Estate
  • Wild Vines
  • Winking Owl (for Aldi in the US)
  • Wycliff Sparkling[10]

[30]

Vineyard trials

Viticulturists at Gallo use their vineyard resources to trial new grape variety plantings in California wine regions in an effort to see which varieties grow best in various climates and soil types. One of the varieties that Gallo has been trialling in the San Joaquin Valley is the French wine grape Ederena.[31]

Awards

E & J Gallo Winery was named the "Bon Appetit Winery of the Year" in the 1996, 1998, and 2001 San Francisco International Wine Competitions.[32]

Intangible Business, a brand valuation firm,[33] rated Gallo as the world's "Most Powerful Wine Brand" in 2006,[34] 2007,[35] 2008,[36] and 2009.[37]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Robinson, Jancis, ed. (2006). The Oxford Companion to Wine (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 296. ISBN 0-19-860990-6.
  2. 1 2 "Amelia Franzia Gallo; Wine Maker's Wife, 83". Obituary. The New York Times. December 25, 1993. Retrieved 2012-11-02. She began working as secretary and janitor in the fledgling Gallo family business shortly after Ernest and Julio Gallo started the E. & J. Gallo Winery in Modesto in 1933. Today, the company is the nation's largest winery, with more than a quarter of the American wine market.
  3. 1 2 Zimmerman, Lisa (November–December 2004). "Reinventing Gallo". Market Watch. pp. 1–14.
  4. ↑ "Gallos Win Suit to Curb Use Of Name on Brother's Cheese". New York Times. June 21, 1989. Retrieved December 31, 2009.
  5. 1 2 "Small store takes big poke at Gallo Wineries". KOMO-TV. Retrieved December 31, 2009.
  6. ↑ Leson, Nancy (April 20, 2009). "E. & J. Gallo crows "We'll sue!"". Seattle Times. Retrieved December 31, 2009.
  7. ↑ "E. & J. Gallo Winery v. The Spanish Table, Inc.". Justia Dockets & Filings. justia.com. April 14, 2009. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  8. 1 2 McCallion, Ruari. "Gallo Glass Company: Top of the glass". The Manufacturer. Retrieved December 31, 2009.
  9. ↑ "France wine producers guilty of US scandal". BBC News. February 17, 2010. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  10. 1 2 "Browse by Brand Name". Retrieved 2011-11-26.
  11. ↑ "Stewart to market $15 wine / Gallo will make Sonoma County varietals for label". San Francisco Chronicle. September 15, 2007. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
  12. ↑ McCallum, Kevin (November 3, 2009). "Vote to oust UFW from Gallo overturned". The Press Democrat. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
  13. ↑ Pawel, Miriam (June 13, 2005). "UFW Plans Wine Boycott in Effort to Pressure Gallo". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 1, 2010.
  14. ↑ "California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance". SustainableWineGrowing.org. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  15. ↑ Grossman, Deborah (August 27, 2008). "Winemakers cultivate earth-friendly practices, from ground to glass". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-12-31.
  16. 1 2 Firstenfeld, Jane (May 6, 2009). "Wine Water Issues Simmer in California". Wines & Vines. Retrieved December 31, 2009.
  17. ↑ "State Water Resources Control Board Cease and Desist Order" (PDF). California State Water Resources Control Board. December 9, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2009.
  18. ↑ "Our Wines". Gallo.com. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  19. ↑ "Champagne & Sparkling Wine Tasting Notes". WineIntro.com. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  20. ↑ The Wine Enigma: Wine In A Box from supermarketguru.com Archived December 17, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  21. 1 2 Fuller, Robert C. (1996). Religion and Wine: A Cultural History of Wine Drinking in the United States. University of Tennessee Press. ISBN 978-0870499111. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
  22. ↑ San Francisco Business Times (January 17, 2005). "E&J Gallo buys Barefoot Cellars". San Francisco Business Times. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  23. ↑ Hilton, M.L. (April 2002). "Barefoot Puts Their Right Foot Forward". Wine Business Monthly. WineBusiness.com. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  24. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20100831155857/http://www.talkingretail.com:80/products/drinks-news/15197-barefoot-wines-new-listings-and-strategic-partnerships.html?. Archived from the original on August 31, 2010. Retrieved January 22, 2011. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. ↑ Information Resources Incorporated, 52 week volume ending May 1, 2007, TTL US: Food/Drug, TTL Pop, Volume Sales, Volume Sales % Chg
  26. ↑ Lentini, Nina (October 9, 2007). "Barefoot Cellars Named 'Wine Brand Of The Year'". Marketing Daily. mediapost.com. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  27. ↑ MakingWaves24-1 from surfrider.org Archived December 6, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  28. ↑ "Gallo Named U.S. Importer For Catena's Alamos Wines" (PDF) (Press release). 2008-11-04. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  29. ↑ Whalen, Kristi W.(attorney of record) (August 5, 2004). "Matthew Fox". Trademark Electronic Search System. USPTO. Retrieved 2012-11-02. Word Mark: MATTHEW FOX—Goods and Services: IC 033. US 047 049. G & S: WINES. FIRST USE: 20041001. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20041001— Owner (REGISTRANT) E. & J. GALLO WINERY CORPORATION CALIFORNIA 600 YOSEMITE BOULEVARD MODESTO CALIFORNIA 95354
  30. ↑ E.&J. Gallo Winery - Browse by Brand Name
  31. ↑ J. Robinson, J. Harding and J. Vouillamoz Wine Grapes - A complete guide to 1,368 vine varieties, including their origins and flavours pg 322, Allen Lane 2012 ISBN 978-1-846-14446-2
  32. ↑ "Gallo wins top winery award at S. F. competition". Lodi News-Sentinel. July 13, 2001. Retrieved 2010-01-01.
  33. ↑ Bevens, Nick (May 9, 2007). "Scotch whisky tops world spirits brands". Scotsman.com. Retrieved December 31, 2009.
  34. ↑ "The world’s most powerful spirits & wine brands: 2006, p. 8" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  35. ↑ "The world’s most powerful spirits & wine brands: p. 16" (PDF). 2007. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  36. ↑ "The Power 100" (PDF). 2008. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  37. ↑ "The Power 100" (PDF). 2009. Retrieved 2012-11-02.

External links

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