Company News

Cheryl Indelicato, Third Generation California Vintner, Creates HandCraft. Wines Inspired by Family, Food and the Joys of Everyday Life

January 2012 - The Indelicato family is pleased to announce the release of HandCraft Artisan Collection, a portfolio of California wines tailored to fit the lifestyle of busy, modern women.  HandCraft is the creation of Cheryl Indelicato, who represents the third generation of her California winemaking family.  HandCraft Artisan Collection will launch nationally in January 2012 at $14.99 with four wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Petite Sirah.  

"I grew up in a winemaking family and have always dreamed of creating my own wine with a style and flavor profile that would speak directly to women,” said Cheryl Indelicato. “As time passed, the constraints of work and family grew.  But I never gave up the idea that one day I would accomplish this goal.  My son is at an age now where I have the time to take this on."

Cheryl began the HandCraft project in earnest nearly two years ago when she teamed up with veteran winemaker, Alicia Ysais, to develop a wine that would be fruit forward, distinct and easy to enjoy - similar to the field wine blends that Cheryl recalls from her family’s dinner table. Cheryl also sought to create wines that pair well with food, as cooking and entertaining are two of her greatest passions. 

"When Alicia and I started working on HandCraft in 2010, it was really a chance for me to honor working women," said Cheryl. "I know there are a lot of us out there - and we need all the help we can get to simplify our lives. Choosing a wine can be intimidating, so I wanted to make certain that if someone chose my wine, they would be rewarded with an enjoyable experience. As Alicia and I began work on the wine blends, we found that adding a bit of Italian and heritage varietals lifted the aromatics and fruit flavors. When it came time to give these wines a name, we settled on HandCraft – a reflection of the personal touch we put into every bottle."

HandCraft Artisan Collection evokes the simple things in life, done well and with love—quality wines that are meant to be enjoyed, not fussed over. Cheryl honors her Italian heritage by blending the best California wines with a touch of classic Italian varietals, reinventing the field wine blends of her grandfather Gasparé’s day with a modern sensibility.

Chris Indelicato Awarded "American Man of the Year" by Wine Enthusiast

November 2011 - DFV Wines is pleased to announce that CEO and President, Chris Indelicato, has been chosen as Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s American Man of the Year for 2011. Each year, the editors of Wine Enthusiast Magazine honor outstanding achievement in the wine world, both within a given year and over time. The Wine Star Award ceremony will take place at the New York Public Library on Monday, January 30, 2012.

Considered by many to be the “Academy Awards” of the wine industry, the Wine Star Awards recognize the most notable figures in the wine and spirits industry. In October 2011, Wine Enthusiast announced the nomination of Chris Indelicato saying “As the president and CEO of DFV Wines, Chris Indelicato has set his brands apart with appealing, forward-thinking positioning, packaging and outreach, balancing the heart and soul of a family business with big-picture strategic approaches.”

“This is an incredible honor, a reflection upon our company’s cumulative efforts and hard work,” says Chris Indelicato.  All we’ve ever done is focus on the basics - on quality, on sustainability, on consumer focused innovation and on treating our employees like family. Simple things that when done well, yield great results.”

DFV Wines is a preeminent grower of wine grapes and producer of quality wine. The company ranks among the top eight wineries in the Unites States in volume with an annual production exceeding 12 million cases.  Founded in 1924, DFV has a long history of growing grapes and making wine for some of the most prestigious names in the wine industry. Over the past decade, under the leadership of Chris Indelicato and third generation family members, DFV Wines greatly expanded the production and marketing of its own wine brands. The first brand to be launched under Chris’ leadership was Gnarly Head, an immediate hit with trade and consumers alike. Other successful brands followed and in 2010, DFV Wines was in the news again with the purchase of Napa Valley wine estate, Black Stallion Winery.

Gnarly Head Launches Authentic Red - Zinfandel Led Red Blend Hails from True Grit American Growing Region of Lodi

September 2011 – Gnarly Head, producer of bold, sophisticated California wines, has introduced Authentic Red, a robust Zinfandel-based red wine blend from a true grit American town – Lodi, California – where crafting hearty red blends dates back to the gold rush, over 150 years ago.  Authentic Red will be distributed nationally at a suggested retail price of $11.99.

The famous gnarled old vines of Lodi, especially Zinfandel, are untrellised “head trained” vines – a traditional, old-world style of farming grapes. These legendary vines can be 80, 90, and even 100 years old. Ancient head trained vines produce fewer clusters and smaller berries than trellised vines, resulting in intensely flavored, fruit forward wines with concentrated flavors. 

No one knows these old vines better than Bud Bradley, Director of Viticulture for Gnarly Head, who grew up in Lodi and has worked in the wine business his entire life (save for a four year stint in the military). Over the years, Bud has fostered relationships with growers of Lodi’s old vine vineyards and year after year, he selects the best fruit for Gnarly Head. 

“We prefer the traditional untrellised farming technique, which is so often the exception these days,” said Bradley. Although a little unruly, these older vines ripen early and we’re able to get rich, honestly mature fruit. To us this is key. That means we have a big wine that’s robust and full, but also balanced.” 

To create the new Gnarly Head Authentic Red, Bud looked first to the Mokelumne River AVA, home to some of the oldest and most respected Zinfandel vineyards in Lodi. Working closely with several established growers there, he selected individual blocks that best exemplified the essence of Lodi Zinfandel. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon thrive to the east of the Mokelumne River, in the foothills of Lodi, in an AVA  known as Borden Ranch.  Here Bud selected the gnarliest Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah he could find to blend with the Zinfandel. 

Bota Box Launches Line of 500ml Tetra Pak Wines

January 25, 2011 - Bota Box, the leading eco-friendly wine producer of premium 3-liter California varietals—announces an extension of its environmentally sensitive portfolio with the launch of Bota 500ml Tetra Paks tailored to the active modern lifestyle. Bota Box will roll out its new, vintage dated 500ml containers nationwide with four of its most popular varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay. Each is priced at $4.99. 

“We take great care in making sure our wines are packaged in environmentally-friendly packaging, and in doing so, have received an overwhelming response from our customers,” said John Garaventa, Senior Brand Manager for Bota Box. “We knew it was time to push the envelope by bringing something fresh and innovative to quality-and-eco-conscious wine enthusiasts. For us, Bota Tetra Paks are a homerun: quality wine, sustainable packaging, and convenient size.” 

Bota Box—packaged in 100% recyclable, unbleached, post-consumer fiber printed with soy-based inks— is already the green choice for wine enthusiasts. Lightweight Bota Tetra Paks further those eco-friendly efforts by boasting a smaller carbon footprint than the equivalent amount of 750ml glass bottles. The smart, alternative packaging and size reduce greenhouse gasses by 75% and waste by 50%, cut fuel emissions due to its lighter shipping weight, and are produced primarily from paper which is a renewable resource. 

“In addition to having a lighter carbon footprint, Bota Tetra Paks fall in sync with the active modern lifestyle,” adds Garaventa. “It’s not surprising that Tetra Pak containers are already widely accepted throughout Europe, Canada and South America. The versatile containers are shatterproof, portable and practical with a re-sealable twist-off cap, making the Bota a perfect wine choice for ski trips, backpacking, camping, and outdoor entertainment.”

DFV Wines Unveils Delicato's New Look

August 2011 - DFV Wines is re-launching the traditionally packaged Delicato brand into a new, modern package called Domino.  The change marks a larger shift toward innovation at DFV Wines, and reflects the company’s steady growth over three generations. Founded in 1924, DFV Wines has consistently grown quality wine grapes and produced premium wines at affordable prices, but as consumers gravitate toward more contemporary brands, the Indelicato family felt that the time was right to refresh Delicato’s packaging and positioning. Domino offers the same consistent value in a fresh, updated package, which speaks to the spirit of this forward-thinking company.

“We knew we had to re-package and re-position the Delicato brand in order to remain competitive,” explained Chris Indelicato, CEO of DFV Wines.  “Once we determined that the growth of this segment is coming from contemporary brands, the decision was made to move away from our current traditional package to a more modern style.”

When deciding which contemporary style to explore for the new package, the DFV Wines’ marketing team found a retro, yet contemporary style had become widespread in today’s popular culture. Chris Indelicato explained, “We could see that this retro-contemporary style has been playing a prominent role in television, interior design etc.  This style has a timeless quality and we believe it aligns well with our new brand positioning.”In order to stay relevant with consumers, the new package must appeal to the two most significant wine consuming demographics today – Millenials and Baby Boomers. Millenials continue to drive new growth in wine sales and because they view wine as a part of everyday life, they are consistently searching for something new. Baby boomers, the target consumer of the current Delicato brand, are tiring of the same brands, tend to purchase what is reasonably priced and are also willing to switch brands for value. Both demographics are equally important to the value wine segment and Domino’s retro-contemporary package will resonate with these two critical consumer groups.

Domino wines will be distributed nationally in both retail and on-premise accounts beginning September 2011.  The suggested retail price for the 750ml format is $6.99 and the 1.5L format is $11.99.

Gnarly Head Kicks Off Rippin’ Ribs BBQ Tour 2011 In Search of Nation’s Best Ribs

March 2011 – Who’s got the gnarliest pork rib recipe? Gnarly Head is on a cross-country mission to find out. ‘Cue Masters from Seattle to Memphis are challenged to perfect their best pork rib recipe and showcase their smoking skills in the annual Gnarly Head Rippin’ Ribs Recipe Contest. Contestants can choose to compete in the regional BBQ cook-off of their choice (Memphis in May -Memphis TN, Speedstreet - Charlotte NC, Ribfest - Chicago IL, BBQ Battle - Washington DC or Bite of Seattle - Seattle WA), for a chance to win the ultimate grand prize of $5,000 in cash and a spot on the grill-obsessed (and sometimes raucous) Gnarly BBQ Team at the Memphis in May World Championship of Barbecue in 2012.

Here’s how it works. Anyone who claims to have a ribs recipe worthy of praise—from home chef to self-proclaimed grill master—is encouraged to enter at www.rippinribs.com. From there, the list of recipes is chiseled down to Five (5) Semi-Finalists for Five (5) different cities along the Rippin’ Ribs Tour, where one winner from each city will advance to the final round.  

The Five (5) Finalists from each tour stop will win an all-expense paid trip to the legendary American Royal Barbecue Competition in Kansas City (9/30/11 – 10/1/11). From this bastion of BBQ, one ultimate winner will be chosen to join the Gnarly BBQ Team and strut his/her BBQ stuff in the world’s most prestigious BBQ competition, Memphis in May, in 2012. 

“This is not your father’s BBQ,” says Chris Indelicato, President and avid BBQ fan. “There’s nothing wrong with rib eye steak and a cold beer, but the time has come to shake things up, to take a fresh, gnarly perspective on this iconic summer ritual. In the era of celebrity chefs and everyday gourmet, there really is no excuse. It’s time to step up from being a backyard griller to a world champion smoker.”  

Complete contest information can be found at www.rippinribs.com, the Rippin’ Ribs Recipe Contest website, which clearly defines contest rules and regulations and provides consumers with an easy-to-use online entry form. In addition, from 3/1/11 – 10/2/11, Gnarly Head will be actively promoting the contest and posting event updates on its Facebook site, www.facebook.com/gnarlyheadwines. Event updates to include blog postings from Gnarly Head road managers and photos from each stop on the tour.

Delicato Family Vineyards Purchases Black Stallion Winery in the Napa Valley

May 4, 2010 - Delicato Family Vineyards (DFV) is pleased to announce the purchase of Black Stallion Winery located in the Napa Valley. DFV is a family-owned company founded in 1924. Three generations of the Indelicato family have guided DFV from a small grape growing operation started during Prohibition to one of California’s leading wineries. Black Stallion joins the family’s vineyard and winery holdings in Monterey County, Lodi and Manteca, California.

“The Black Stallion acquisition fulfills my family’s dream of owning an estate in the Napa Valley,” says Delicato Family Vineyards CEO and President, Chris Indelicato. “My grandfather planted our first vineyards in the 1920s and we began to make wine in the 30s. “My father and uncles continued to lead the company forward by purchasing vineyards in Lodi and Monterey. The third generation has had an eye on the Napa Valley for some time and my brother Jay and I, along with cousins Cheryl, Mike, Frank Jr. and Marie, are proud to honor the family’s legacy of producing wines from California’s most prestigious growing regions. We look forward to offering estate bottled Napa Valley wines with the quality that Delicato Family Vineyards is known for.”

Black Stallion Winery is located in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley, three miles north of the town of Napa along the famed Silverado Trail.  The winery takes its name from an equestrian facility, the Silverado Horseman’s Center, which was located on the grounds many years ago. The original property featured riding trails, stables and an outdoor arena where Francis Ford Coppola filmed the helicopter scene from Apocalypse Now. Today the Black Stallion Winery includes estate vineyards, an elegant tasting room and hospitality center as well as two guest cottages.

Introducing Massimo - A Portfolio of Hallmark Varietals from Internationally Acclaimed Growing Regions

October 2010 - DFV Wines announced plans to launch Massimo, wines that deliver monumental flavor by showcasing grape varieties from some of the world’s most sought after viticultural areas. Massimo literally means “big”, and includes a Malbec, from Argentina and a Rioja from Spain. DFV Winemakers, Alicia Ysais and Gale Sysock, worked with renowned wineries and vineyards to develop wines that deliver authenticity, complexity and above all, “big” flavors.

“My family has been deeply ingrained in the California wine industry for nearly a century, but we’ve always enjoyed wine from other parts of the world,” said Chris Indelicato, President and CEO of DFV Wines. “Although we import several wines from Europe already, the Massimo project is a first for us. We’ve had the opportunity to collaborate internationally, working with local wineries and vineyards in Spain and Argentina at each stage of the process. For us, Massimo has been a fascinating segue into some of the world’s most exciting wine regions, and we’re looking forward to sharing it with our customers.”

Massimo Malbec is grown in Argentina’s top viticultural area, the highly acclaimed Valle de Uco region of Mendoza. Sitting at the base of the Andes Mountain Range at nearly 4000 feet above sea level, Massimo’s vineyards experience the “rainshadow” effect of the mountain peaks, which trap the moisture of the Pacific, and provide sunny days and vital snow melt for irrigation. The wines are made at O. Fournier, a strikingly modern, gravity flow winery with state of art technology. Following harvest and crush, the wine was racked and aged in French oak barrels. The resulting wine is full bodied with powerful blueberry and plum notes framed by violets, spice and tobacco.

Massimo Rioja honors Spain’s most beloved wine. Grapes are grown in the Baja Rioja region of Spain in the traditional en vaso (head-trained) style. The vineyard utilizes modern technology and traditional farming, combining old and new practices, to grow world-class quality grapes. The wine is made in a new world style, allowing the Tempranillo grape’s luscious red fruit character to shine. The resulting wine is medium-bodied with exuberant strawberry and cherry notes scented with herbs and a touch of vanilla on the soft, round finish.

Both wines will begin to ship this fall with a suggested retail price of $12.99.

Irony & 337 Named as Impact Hot Prospect Brands for 2009

August 2010 - DFV Wines continues to demonstrate its strength in the US marketplace as two of its brands, Irony and 337, were named Hot Prospect Brands by Impact Newsletter.  Impact is published by M. Shanken Communications along with Wine Spectator, Market Watch, and Cigar Aficionado.   The criteria for this prestigious award are based on depletions of at least 50,000 cases but not over 200,000 cases in 2009, at least 15% depletion growth in 2009, and consistent growth in 2007 and 2008. Impact will publish an article on the 2009 Hot Prospect Brands in the September 1 and 15, 2010 issues.  In addition, there will be a feature story on the Hot Prospect Brands in the October 2010 issue of Market Watch.

Loredona Riesling Steals the Show at California State Fair

July 15, 2008 - DFV Wines is pleased to announce that its Loredona Riesling, vintage 2007, was awarded Best of Show White Wine at last week’s California State Fair Wine Competition.  Best of Show is the highest honor any winery can receive; in the case of Loredona Riesling, the wine outperformed over 800 white wine entries.

Twisted Is Named A "Hot Prospect" Brand

October 1, 2008 - Twisted was one of a select number of wine brands to be named as a Hot Prospect brand for 2007 in the October 2008 issue of Impact Magazine which is part of M. Shanken Communications, publisher of Wine Spectator, Market Watch, and Cigar Aficionado.  This is Impact's first-ever Hot Prospect report highlighting 64 successful wine and spirits brands.  The criteria for this prestigious award was based on depletions of at least 50,000 cases but not over 200,000 cases in 2007, and at least 15% depletion growth in 2007 with consistent growth in the previous three years. 

DFV Wines Continues Hot Streak: Third Generation California Winery Brings Home Three Impact Hot Brand Awards

March 24, 2010 – DFV Wines, a family-owned California winery, is proud to announce that leading industry publication Impact Databank has named three of its wine brands, Gnarly Head, Bota Box and Twisted as 2009 Hot Brands. This is the third consecutive Hot Brand Award for Gnarly Head, the second for premium bag-in-box wine brand, Bota Box, and represents Twisted’s first showing.

Domestic wine brands must meet the following criteria to qualify as Impact Hot Brands: established brands with double-digit growth each year in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and a minimum volume requirement of 200,000 cases.

“Even though 2009 will be remembered as a tough year for the wine industry as a whole, DFV Wines maintained its momentum by continuing to craft high quality wines that consistently over-deliver,” said Chris Indelicato, CEO and President, DFV Wines. “As a family owned and operated company, we’re proud that consumers, retailers, restaurateurs and wholesalers look to DFV Wines for quality wines and we’re grateful for their continued support.”

Gnarly Head & Bota Box Named 2008 Impact Hot Brands

February 18, 2009 - DFV Wines is proud to announce that leading industry publication Impact Databank has named two of its wine brands, Gnarly Head and Bota Box, as 2008 Hot Brands. This is the second consecutive Hot Brand Award for Gnarly Head and represents a milestone for premium bag-in-box wine brand, Bota Box.

Domestic wine brands must meet the following criteria to qualify as Impact Hot Brands: established brand with double-digit growth each year in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and a minimum volume requirement of 200,000 cases.

Gnarly Head Wines Named 2007 Hot Brand

Marvin Shanken of M.Shanken Communications named Gnarly Head wines a Hot Brand for 2007, an honor reserved for only the high growth wine brands in the USA.

Find out more about Gnarly Head wines by visiting the Gnarly Head website.

DFV Wines named Wine Enthusiast Magazine's American Winery of the Year

Wine Enthusiast Magazine named DFV Wines American Winery of the Year, 2007, in their annual Wine Start Awards. Winners are selected by a panel of distinguished writers and editors for their outstanding contributions to the world of wine, with special attention given to achievements in the year 2007.
Press Release (PDF, 33K)

DFV Wines Revealed

"Using the name DFV Wines to encompass our growing portfolio of wines from superior appellations in California is a logical evolution in our family’s history. The imagery of the three hills in the logo evokes our vineyards, our family – three generations, and reflects our family's commitment to crafting and representing the highest quality wines produced in accordance with sustainable winegrowing principles." – Chris Indelicato