Guglielmo Winery Expects Bullish Growth in 2011
(L to R) George (winemaker), Gary (General Manager)
and Gene (VP sales)
Winery, a family-owned and operated legend in the Santa Clara Valley of California, established in 1925, has its sights set on success for an 86th year in business. With a record 15% increase in revenues for fiscal year 2010, the family-run winery expects robust further growth in 2011, not just domestically, but internationally as well.
Earlier this year, the winery announced it had successfully penetrated the Chinese wine market. At the end of December, 2010, two forty-foot long ship-bound containers holding 2,800 cases of locally sourced and made Guglielmo wines, were shipped to the southern Chinese market, where they will appear on retail shelves in major shopping centers throughout the country. An additional shipment is expected in April.
The winery’s additional milestones for 2010 include:
• A complete overhaul of the winery branding, logo, website and Facebook page
• The creation of the new TRÉ brand, aimed at Millennials
• Highly successful Holiday Faire, with sales up 20% over 2009
• Hiring of top-notch Silicon Valley marketing professional, Greg Richtarek, as Director of Marketing
• Return to old-fashioned people-oriented direct sales model with hiring of two seasoned wine industry sales professionals to personally service accounts
• Expansion of the Guglielmo “Private Reserve” label with both estate and Santa Clara Valley appellation wines
• Increased revenue for the Villa Emile Event Center, both for bridal and corporate events
• Recognition for Guglielmo wines at 2010 and 2011 San Francisco Chronicle Competitions, including two Double Gold medals, for 2007 Private Reserve Estate Petite Sirah and 2007 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
In summarizing the winery’s accomplishments of the past year, Gary Guglielmo, General Manager, said, “Essentially, we’re re-launching a brand new 85 year-old winery. It’s a very exciting time for us, and we are well-positioned to capitalize on the market forces at play right now. With the hiring of two direct sales people, we are returning to the old-fashioned hand-selling method that served us so well in the early days of the winery, when my grandparents hand-delivered wine up the Peninsula, on the way to San Francisco, where a thirsty immigrant community looked forward to their Guglielmo wines. We like to think that our wines bring people together, to celebrate the every day, as well as those special occasions. That’s one of the reasons behind our new tag line, ‘From our family, to your table.’ This embodies the family-centric philosophy that informs all of our business decisions.”
Guglielmo’s winemaking team, Alan DeWitt and George Guglielmo, are constantly striving to expand and elevate the wines being produced, across the product lines. New sources of fruit are being tapped from local vineyards to supplement the estate vineyard production.
Says Gary, “These small, hand-tended vineyards produce intensely terroir-driven wines. For example, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, from Dorsich Vineyard, has received a very warm reception, and at $25 per bottle, offers tremendous value. We’ve never had a stronger portfolio, we’re reaching new audiences through our aggressive social media campaigns, we’re reinforcing our commitment to our existing club members with exciting new programs and incentives, plus we’re leveraging traditional marketing avenues as well. We’re looking forward to a very strong year ahead, as we advance my grandfather’s dream to the next level.”
Guglielmo Winery’s upcoming events for 2011 include:
• First Annual Wine & Cheese Day on March 12
• Annual Bridal Faire at Villa Emile Event Center, Sunday, March 20, 11am til 3pm
• Dine-with-the-Winemaker at Viva in Los Gatos, March 22, 6pm til 9pm
• Santa Clara Passport Day, March 26
• Wine & Food pairing at Wine Affair in San Jose, April 5th
About Guglielmo Winery
Located in Morgan Hill, CA, Guglielmo Winery has practiced the fine art of winemaking for three generations. Established by family patriarch, Emilio Guglielmo, the Guglielmo (Gool–yell–mo) family has produced wines in the Santa Clara Valley since 1925. Today, third generation brothers, George, Gene and Gary Guglielmo, offer a family of award-winning Private Reserve varietals, the TRÉ value line, Emile’s Heritage Red and White, as well as sparkling and dessert wines. Visit the Tasting Room & Gift Shop daily, from 10am to 5pm (except major holidays). Located on the grounds is the Villa Emile Event Center, the perfect setting for weddings and corporate events.