Dove(R) Chocolate Pairs with the E. & J. Gallo(R) Winery for Indulgent Valentine's Day Promotion

Consumers Can Save While Savoring Silky Smooth DOVE(R) Chocolate with Gallo Wines

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Mars Snackfood US announced today that its DOVE(R) Chocolate Brand is partnering with the E. & J. Gallo Winery to offer consumers a premium chocolate and wine pairing experience. The partnership kicks off with a promotion in February, in time for romantics to indulge on Valentine's Day and receive a discount when pairing silky smooth DOVE(R) Chocolate with Gallo wines (promotion details depend on store location). Gallo wines featured in the program include Dancing Bull(R) Zinfandel, Mirassou(R) Pinot Noir, Red Bicyclette(R) Syrah, McWilliams Hanwood Estate(R) Shiraz and Gallo Family Vineyards(R) Sonoma Reserve Cabernet.

"Pairing luscious, creamy DOVE(R) Chocolate with the premium wine of the E. & J. Gallo Winery provides the perfect indulgent experience for consumers," explains Margaret Asselin Woods, director of marketing for DOVE(R) Chocolate. "More consumers are entertaining at home rather than expensive restaurants, and they're experimenting with flavorful wine pairings. DOVE(R) Chocolate complements a variety of wines by enhancing taste, aromas and flavors."

The promotion will vary slightly by state to comply with alcohol regulations. Offers include a $2 or $3 mail-in rebate for the purchase of DOVE(R) Chocolate and Gallo wine, a $2 coupon for the purchase of DOVE(R) Chocolate and Gallo wine, and a $1 coupon for the purchase of DOVE(R) Chocolate.

Gallo's direct sales force will help execute the program, leveraging existing displays and shippers in retailers and adding point-of-sale pieces such as carton riders. The consumer offer itself will be in the form of a bottle-necker or pamphlet, which also contains a useful pairing guide to help educate consumers on how to pair chocolate and wine.

For the best chocolate and wine experience, recommended pairings include:

Dancing Bull(R) Zinfandel with DOVE(R) Dark Chocolate Roasted Almond;
Mirassou(R) Pinot Noir with DOVE(R) Milk Chocolate Roasted Almond;
Red Bicyclette(R) Syrah with DOVE(R) Dark Chocolate Cranberry Almond;
McWilliams Hanwood Estate(R) Shiraz with DOVE(R) Silky Smooth Dark Chocolate 63% Cacao;
 and Gallo Family Vineyards(R) Sonoma Reserve Cabernet with DOVE(R) Silky Smooth Milk Chocolate.

This promotion is available to all channels that offer wine from the E. & J. Gallo Winery as well as DOVE(R) Chocolate, including grocery, convenience stores and drug stores. Retailers also can take advantage of a premium wine rack available as part of the program, with the ability to display 16 bottles of Gallo wines alongside several shelves of DOVE(R) Chocolate. The display measures 14" long x 16" wide x 60" high.

The promotion was featured at the Convenience Retailing Conference in Phoenix, Ariz., Jan. 25-27. Attendees were able to see and taste for themselves the perfect pairing of these two brands by indulging in the DOVE(R) Chocolate fountain and nearby wine tasting from the E. & J. Gallo Winery. DOVE(R) Chocolate Pairs With the E. & J. Gallo Winery

About E. & J. Gallo Winery

Established in 1933 in Modesto, California, E. & J. Gallo Winery has become the world's foremost winery in the art of grape growing and winemaking and in the distribution and marketing of wines worldwide. With seven wineries strategically located in various parts of California and access to grapes from vineyards in all of the premier grape-growing areas of California, Gallo produces wines in every category, to suit every taste. Gallo imports wines from eight of the major wine growing countries in the world. Some of the brands in Gallo's Premium wine portfolio include Gallo Family Vineyards(R) Sonoma Reserve, Louis M. Martini(R), MacMurray Ranch(R), Rancho Zabaco(R), Bridlewood(R), William Hill Estate(R), Whitehaven(R), DaVinci(R), Martin Codax(R), Maso Canali(R), Ecco Domani(R), and McWilliam's Hanwood Estate(R).

About Mars Snackfood US:

Mars Snackfood US is the United States snack operations of Mars North America. With more than $7 billion in annual sales in the United States, Mars North America includes food, snack and pet care segments, which are a symbol of excellence for quality brands. Headquartered in Mount Olive, N.J., Mars North America employs more than 12,000 associates in the United States, with 54 facilities nationwide. Mars Snackfood US, headquartered in Hackettstown, N.J., includes some of the world's favorite brands such as DOVE(R) Brand Chocolate, M&M'S(R) Brand, MILKY WAY(R) Brand, SKITTLES(R) Brand, SNICKERS(R) Brand, STARBURST(R) Brand, 3 MUSKETEERS(R) Brand, TWIX(R) Brand and more. Additional popular brands in the petcare and food segments for Mars North America include UNCLE BEN'S(R) Brand, PEDIGREE(R) Brand Food for Dogs, and WHISKAS(R) Brand Food for Cats. Please visit www.mars.com.

Website: http://www.mars.com/