Following Two Successful Vintages and $60,000 in Donations, Brand That Honors Veterans Increases Production for 2015 Vintage
Napa, CA, May 7th, 2018 – Purple Heart Wines, a cause-based wine brand created by C. Mondavi & Family, is proud to celebrate three years of partnership with the Purple Heart Foundation. When the venture was announced in 2016, it was founded on the simple premise: each year, craft one exceptional red blend worthy of the heroes it pays tribute to, and in doing so raise critical funds for Veteran’s causes. Driven by consumer reception of the wine and their enthusiasm for its cause, demand has been steadily rising, and production is being increased for the 2015 vintage to meet this demand.
The recently-introduced 2015 bottling of Purple Heart showcases the winemaking of John Moynier, who assumed winemaking duties in May of 2017. Inspired by the brand’s mission, Moynier—an Air Force veteran himself—returned from retirement just to craft this heroic red blend. For the 2015 vintage, he has produced a classically lush Blend from hand-selected lots of Sonoma County fruit. Commenting on this year’s wine, Moynier says “When we made the transition from the Napa Valley to Sonoma County, we knew we wanted to keep Merlot as the backbone of the blend. The big change comes from the integration of a Zinfandel component versus Cabernet Sauvignon in the supporting role. I think people will really appreciate its plush red and black fruit flavors and the velvety mouthfeel.”
On the heels of rapidly sold out prior vintages, Purple Heart Wines’ total case production has risen from 15,000 cases for the 2014 vintage to over 23,000 cases for 2015 in order to meet demand. The inaugural release of Purple Heart Red in 2013 was just 7,500 cases.
As of its three-year anniversary, Purple Heart Wines has donated $60,000 to its namesake beneficiary, the Purple Heart Foundation. Most recently, $20,000 was donated in October 2017 in response to the devastating Wine Country fires in Northern California. 100% of this special donation was awarded to nine Veterans—including several Purple Heart recipients—in the local community whose lost everything in these tragic fires. The remaining $40,000 contribution has been utilized by the Purple Heart Foundation to support the full range of their programming efforts, which includes the treatment of PTSD and other combat-related afflictions, as well as job training, education assistance, service dogs, and burial assistance.
The Purple Heart Wines project was initiated by brothers Marc and Peter Mondavi, jr. to honor the military contributions of their father, Peter Mondavi Sr., a WWII Veteran. Reflecting on the anniversary, Marc Mondavi comments “As we celebrate the milestone of our third vintage and the overall success of the Purple Heart Wines brand, I am proud to look back on all the direct support we have provided to the brave members of our nation’s Veteran community. I know I speak for everyone involved when I say that we are excited to present another excellent vintage benefiting our nation’s heroes.”
In addition to the brand’s donations, Purple Heart Wines will be showcased at a variety of military and veteran’s events nationally throughout the rest of the year.
About Purple Heart Wines
Purple Heart is a Sonoma County red wine created to honor the bravery and commitment of America’s military heroes. It is an uncompromising wine crafted by highly accomplished military veteran winemakers under the stewardship of the Peter Mondavi Sr. Family, whose patriarch is a proud veteran of World War II. The Purple Heart is a congressional military decoration, awarded to members of the armed forces of the U.S. who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy. No military award better symbolizes the bravery, determination and selflessness of the military men and women serving our country. It is this noble medal that inspired the creation of Purple Heart Wines. In partnership with the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the winery makes an annual financial contribution to the Purple Heart Foundation to help them achieve their mission.
FANTASTIC. As newly elected Cmdr of Capitol Chapter 385, Military Order of the Purple Heart, it’s great to see these sorts of ventures!
Not only the fund raising for many excellent veterans’ orgs, but also the gratifying recognition of REAL sacrifices made by those of us that truly “bled for our country & for others’ freedom”.
Put me on your list. I’ll not only buy some (great reason to take a wine country drive in my A5), i’ll spread the good word to the many veterans help orgs i interface with over here in Gold Country.
A sincere Thanks & Salute to You All.
Thank you for your contribution to our American heroes! I’ve not tasted my bottle (2015) because I’m always showing but off. As a veteran myself I recognize that our veterans aren’t honored enough so .. thank you and i’ll continue to promote your product. Now that I’ve found you in line I can order a bottle and actually drink it rather than just show it off. Sincerely, Beatrice Wolfe