14 Hands Winery Named Impact Magazine's "Hot Brands" for 2013
Prosser, Wash.
14 Hands Winery was named "Impact Hot Brand" for 2013 in the March 1 & 15, 2014 issue of Impact magazine and the April 2014 issue of Market Watch. This is the sixth consecutive year that 14 Hands has received the Hot Brand award.
In total, 26 domestic wine brands earned Hot Brands honors for 2013, and 25 of them are from California. Notably, 14 Hands Winery is the list’s sole non-California honoree.
To earn Hot Brand status, wines must have achieved double-digit growth in each of the past three years, or they must be established brands with at least 15% growth, or top-10 volume leaders with at least 5% growth in 2013 and at least 15% growth since 2010. Significant new products also can qualify. The minimum volume requirement is 250,000 cases.
Crafted exclusively for restaurants, 14 Hands was introduced in fine dining establishments-only, however consumer excitement over the years created a broader demand for the wines. Today, 14 Hands is available nationally and exported to 24 countries. It also is the No. 1 selling wine in Seattle and Portland since mid-2011 (AC Nielsen). In 2012, 14 Hands introduced “The Reserve” tier of wines sourced from the Horse Heaven Hills appellation. The debut vintage of “The Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon wine received a 93 rating from Wine Spectator magazine and the 14 Hands 2010 “The Reserve” Red Blend received a 93 rating from Wine & Spirits magazine. 14 Hands is part of the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates portfolio of premium wine brands.
Reaching another brand milestone, in 2014 14 Hands opened a dedicated winery and tasting room in Prosser, Washington. The location is ideally situated at the gateway to the Horse Heaven Hills, where the 14 Hands vineyards are located.
“We are thrilled to have received another “Impact Hot Brand” award,” said Ted Baseler, President and CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. “We have made significant investments as a brand to open the new winery and hospitality area in Prosser, Washington, which was a direct response to consumer demand. We hope to see wine lovers from across the world visit us in the heart of the Horse Heaven Hills to experience the wines in this remarkable, fast-growing region.”
14 Hands wines are crafted from premium grapes in the heart of Washington state. Named after the wild horses that once made their home on the land upon which 14 Hands grapes are grown, the wine retains the individual spirit of its namesake.
About 14 Hands Winery
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 14hands.com.
About Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, located in Woodinville, Washington, has a long and distinguished history that dates back to 1934. Wines under the Ste. Michelle label were first introduced in 1967, and since that time the company has expanded its winery and vineyard holdings to more than 3,700 acres in Washington, Oregon and California. The company is also the exclusive U.S. importer for acclaimed wine portfolios produced in Italy, France and New Zealand. Learn more at smwe.com.
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For further information:
Renae Kochel
425-415-3336
renae.kochel@smwe.com
