14 Hands Named “Wine Brand of the Year” by Market Watch

Washington States’ 14 Hands Receives Coveted Award from Top Industry Leaders

14 Hands was recently named the Leaders Choice - “Wine Brand of the Year” by Market Watch in its October 2012 issue. Top “Leaders” consisting of the nation’s top retailers in the beverage industry voted in the Leaders Choice Awards. Market Watch cited 14 Hands’ exponential growth and successful launch of new products as influential factors for earning the award among the industry’s top performing brands.

“With 775,000 nine-liter case depletions in 2011, according to Impact Databank- an 89-percent increase from the previous year- it was the fourth fastest growing “Hot Brand” out of the 33 domestic and imported wines on the 2011 roster. While other Washington wines fell off the list in recent years, 14 Hands earned its fourth consecutive Hot Brand award, an impressive feat given its $12 a 750 ml. bottle price point... With its diverse portfolio and loyal following, 14 Hands is sure to maintain consistent growth and could potentially crack the million-case mark in 2012." (Market Watch, October 2012)

14 Hands was initially introduced in 2005 as an on-premise brand to provide fine dining establishments with the perfect 'by-the-glass' wine. The success of the brand created a broader national demand for the wines. In 2010, 14 Hands entered the off-premise market with the introduction of its 'Hot to Trot' red and white blends. Within a year, both wines ranked number two in the super-premium white blend and super-premium red blend categories in dollar sales per point ACV nationally (according to AC Nielsen F/D/L data ending August 20th, 2011).

“The customer response to 14 Hands has been remarkable,” said Ted Baseler, President and CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. “It has been exciting to see 14 Hands grow from an on-premise brand to one of the top wine brands in the country. It’s a testament to our talented winemaking and sales teams and it is a great honor to have our efforts recognized by leaders in the industry.”

About 14 Hands
14 Hands wines are inspired by the spirit of the wild horses that once roamed the arid landscape of eastern Washington. It was here that these special horses – measuring a scant "14 hands" tall – developed their legendary endurance, strength, and tenacious spirit. Like these wild horses, the vineyards struggle in the same harsh conditions of eastern Washington. It is their ability to thrive in this environment that produces the world-class quality fruit that goes into each bottle of 14 Hands. Learn more at www.14hands.com.

©2012 14 Hands Winery, Paterson, WA 99345

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For further information:
Jennifer Kang
Jennifer.Kang@smwe.com