Barefoot Cellars Winery, recent recipient of the Impact 2004 Hot Brand Award, is pleased to announce the nine year anniversary of Winemaker Jennifer Wall. Jennifer joined the Barefoot Cellars team prior to harvest in 1995. She is responsible for all of the wines produced under the famous Barefoot label.

Since her hire in 1995, Barefoot Wine sales have increased from 150,000 cases per year to a projected 550,000 cases in 2004. Jennifer has created and released several new products including Barefoot Cellars California Zinfandel, Merlot, and Syrah; Barefoot Bubbly California Chardonnay Champagnes; Barefoot on the Beach wines and Barefoot Reserve Sonoma County wines. In September of last year, she introduced a new product line by releasing the limited production J. Lynne, vineyard designate Russian River Valley wines.

"Jennifer is best known for making exceptional Russian River Pinot Noirs," commented Michael Houlihan, Barefoot President, CEO and Founder. "Her Pinot Noirs consistently earn Gold and Double Gold medals at National and International Competitions." The 2002 Barefoot Reserve and J. Lynne Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs have both received multiple Gold Medals since their release.

In 2003 Jennifer decided to convert the Barefoot Bubbly program to 100% Chardonnay. "This decision impacted our business in a way we didn't predict," stated Bonnie Harvey, Barefoot Senior Vice President and Founder. "We now sell the only 100% Chardonnay Champagne consistently available under $10 and sales are on track to double those of last year." The Barefoot Bubbly Sparkling Chardonnay is nationally available in an Extra Dry and Brut style, and both were rated as one of the best 100 wines for 2003. The winery expects to sell over 30,000 cases of Barefoot Bubbly in 2004.

The Barefoot California line, which retails in California for under $7 per bottle, is the predominant brand in the winery's portfolio. "It is rewarding to make high value wines which people can afford and enjoy with their family and friends on a regular basis," commented Jennifer.

"The Barefoot Reserve Sonoma County wines, which are typically twice the price of the California range, consistently compete with wines in the ultra premium (over $20) category." All of the Barefoot Reserve Sonoma County wines will be evaluated at the upcoming annual Sonoma County Harvest Fair wine competition where Sonoma County wineries submit their most recent releases. Last year only one other winery garnered more Gold Medals than the Barefoot Cellars at this event.

Founders Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey launched the Barefoot Cellars brand in 1986 with the release of Barefoot California 1.5 L Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Now, 18 years later, Barefoot Cellars offers a portfolio of 39 wines from extreme value Barefoot on the Beach wines to vineyard designate J. Lynne ultra premium wines.