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Madera Wine Trail: Member Wineries
Our mission: The Foundation of the Mariposa Wine Company The Mariposa Wine Company was founded in 2003 as the synthesis of, and umbrella for two existing brands, one with a twenty-year history, the other celebrating its tenth anniversay this year. As a result, MWC enjoys some significant advantages over other small or new wineries in terms of distribution and critical mass. This ehanced infrastructure creates a stable platform from which to conduct business and support our trading partners. And while existing distribution provides us with immediate cash flow, perhaps more importantly, it eliminates one of the biggest hurdles in starting a winery: building sufficient inventory to fuel early growth and sustain the business. The model for MWC is not dissimilar from that of certain prominent artisan winery properties, specifically, The Chalone Group and Jackson Family Farms, albeit on a much more modest scale. While it takes into account many facets of the business and will give us the ability to tailor our offerings to different markets, no one brand will try to be all things to all people. Rather, each brand will feature only those varieties and types of wine that are correct and successful in its respective region. Once the portfolio of wines is fully fleshed out plans are to set sales goals for any one SKU at realistic and attainable levels, and create a degree of discovery and exclusivity to the consumer. While this approach adds complexity and cost to the managment of the brands from our end, we believe it will create economies of scale for our distribution partners and have great appeal to them on a number of other fronts. The Principals of the Mariposa Wine Company The founder and lead partner of MWC is Mr. Richard Spencer, a successful entrepreneur from Fresno, California. A civic-minded man, Spencer serves his community in a number of capacities, including being a member of the President's Advisory Board at Fresno State University. With diverse financial interests ranging from home construction to agricultural products and now winery ownership, Spencer is intimately familiar with business startups and is well prepared for success in this latest venture. He has had a keen interest in fine wines for many years and has now realized a dream of owning his own winery. The winemaking and day-to-day operation of MWC is run by managing partner, Michael Leven, a fifteen-year industry veteran with experience with some of the top houses in Washington and California. After three years in public relations and sales at Chateau Ste. Michelle, Leven earned a second degree in Enology at Fresno State University. Upon graduation he hit the fast track, first working for Glen Ellen as winemaker for dry white wines, then moving to sister company Beaulieu Vineyard as winemaker for the "Coastal" brand, growing it three-fold in three years. Most recently he oversaw winemaking for Kendall-Jackson's "Camelot" brand where he helped orchestrate 75-100% annual growth for five straight years. Leven also doubled as facility winemaker for KJ's biggest winery, based in Monterey County. The Brands of the Mariposa Wine Company CrU Monterey Carmichael Vintners Yosemite View Winery
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