Waugh Fights Goliath To Save Brand
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Please help us fend off corporate greed and champion the cause for American entrepreneurship and small family run businesses.
Eleven years ago, my wife and I started production on a single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon which was planted back in 2000. It was clear from the beginning that this vineyard would produce a very special wine, which we called Six Degrees. The first vintage, 2005, was released in 2007 and immediately was $75 a bottle. Over the last 10 vintages the bottle price has risen to $150 and our Six Degrees wine brand has created a loyal following.
At the beginning of 2016 we started receiving inquiries for 6 degrees Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Rose wines. Our Six Degrees wine is a 100% Cabernet and the brand consists of this one wine. A simple google search last spring confirmed our fears, another six degrees wine brand had been introduced into the marketplace and was retailing for $11.99.
After reaching out to Bronco Wine Co, the 4th largest wine producer in the United States, back in June of 2016 regarding their "6 degrees" wine, we met with them 3 different times, twice at their home office. We provided our financials and were negotiating in good faith to try and resolve the issue. Negotiations have stalled and we were forced to protect ourselves by filing a complaint against Bronco. It appears Bronco and their high-priced lawyers are now attempting to use their vast resources to outlast us in what amounts to a legal game of chicken. We cannot allow Bronco to get away with this. They are a very sophisticated wine marketing company, marketing and selling over 60 wine brands in every state in America. It is hard to believe they did not do a simple Google search back in 2012 to see if a six degrees wine brand already existed before they launched their 6 degrees.
Bronco is threatening our small business and the future we have created for our family.
Please donate and share this site with anyone who feels we need to stand up to corporate greed and make sure these conglomerates know they can’t push around small businesses.
Eleven years ago, my wife and I started production on a single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon which was planted back in 2000. It was clear from the beginning that this vineyard would produce a very special wine, which we called Six Degrees. The first vintage, 2005, was released in 2007 and immediately was $75 a bottle. Over the last 10 vintages the bottle price has risen to $150 and our Six Degrees wine brand has created a loyal following.
At the beginning of 2016 we started receiving inquiries for 6 degrees Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Rose wines. Our Six Degrees wine is a 100% Cabernet and the brand consists of this one wine. A simple google search last spring confirmed our fears, another six degrees wine brand had been introduced into the marketplace and was retailing for $11.99.
After reaching out to Bronco Wine Co, the 4th largest wine producer in the United States, back in June of 2016 regarding their "6 degrees" wine, we met with them 3 different times, twice at their home office. We provided our financials and were negotiating in good faith to try and resolve the issue. Negotiations have stalled and we were forced to protect ourselves by filing a complaint against Bronco. It appears Bronco and their high-priced lawyers are now attempting to use their vast resources to outlast us in what amounts to a legal game of chicken. We cannot allow Bronco to get away with this. They are a very sophisticated wine marketing company, marketing and selling over 60 wine brands in every state in America. It is hard to believe they did not do a simple Google search back in 2012 to see if a six degrees wine brand already existed before they launched their 6 degrees.
Bronco is threatening our small business and the future we have created for our family.
Please donate and share this site with anyone who feels we need to stand up to corporate greed and make sure these conglomerates know they can’t push around small businesses.
Organizer
Ryan Waugh
Organizer
Napa, CA
