Pelican Brands & SOI Wines Announce a Long Term Strategic Sales & Marketing Agreement for the US Market

    CARMEL, IN, December 20, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Pelican Brands and Schwartz Olcott Imports, LLC (SOI Wines) jointly announced today the formation of a long term strategic agreement to launch Barking Sheep wines from Argentina following a successful limited test market in 19 states.

Barking Sheep wines are produced in Mendoza, Argentina, and are styled for the U.S. market. The launch will include a beautiful classic Malbec and a fresh clean fruity Chardonnay.

Barking Sheep wines are produced at Las Perdices by chief winemaker Carlos Munoz, from high altitude vineyards 1,000 meters above sea level towards the Andes Mountains producing full bodied classical fruit.

During a one year limited test market at a major national chain Barking Sheep was the #1 red wine of all new featured red wines.

Norman Schwartz, Co-Founder & Chairman of SOI Wines said, "There are many fine importers who do a great job with established brands; however, without brand builders like Smoke Wallin and the Pelican team it's impossible to build a national brand franchise. With Pelican sharing our enthusiasm for Barking Sheep we are well positioned to rollout nationally and to launch other brands together"

J. Smoke Wallin, Chairman & CEO of Pelican Brands said "The Barking Sheep brand further expands the Pelican Brands wine platform to Argentina. These wines offer the consumer great value with a fun attitude. We have high expectations for their national rollout." Wallin continued, "Norman has created some incredible brands over the years. We are very excited to begin our long term strategic partnership with The Barking Sheep brand."

About Schwartz Olcott Imports, LLC (SOI Wines)
SOI Wines and its sister brand development company Sewall Road Partners created Barking Sheep, (oops), Pandemonium, and "it." premium box wines. Norman Schwartz began his adventure into the wine industry creating global brand advertising campaigns for Seagram's and Pernod Ricard. It wasn't until after creating the brand advertising campaign for a little known brand called [yellow tail], that Sewall Road Partners was formed and the group went from creating brand advertising to creating wine brands. www.soiwines.com www.sewallroadpartners.com

About Pelican Brands
Pelican Brands manages a portfolio of owned and agency premiere import & craft beers, artisanal spirits and fine wines. Pelican Brands' team and partners have extensive experience in the global beverage and consumer packaged goods industries. Pelican Brands is headquartered in Carmel, IN, offices in the United Kingdom and Napa, CA and a sales team covering the U.S. market and select international markets. www.pelican-brands.com And on Facebook http://on.fb.me/afmdBU And follow us on Twitter @pelicanbrands

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