B Cellars
Background
B Cellars is a boutique winery that primarily produces and markets four wine blends from the finest fruit in Napa Valley. The collaboration between Jim Borsack and Duffy Keys, the founders of B Cellars, began as a simple love for food and wine. They added the genius of Kirk Venge, one of the most promising young winemakers in the world. When most people think of a winery, they imagine the traditional single-varietal vineyard and the wine it produces. B Cellars has taken a more innovative approach. They see the entire Napa appellation as their terroir. By selecting the choicest grapes from pedigree vineyards and employing both Old and New World winemaking practices, together with a meticulous blending process, they create wines with exceptional structure and complexity – wines with layers and layers of flavor. B Cellars’ wines have received continuous accolades since their first release from the 2003 vintage in 2006, including consistent 90+ point ratings from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and Wine Enthusiast. Consumer Growth Partners assembled an investor syndicate that includes Grassmere Partners and Global Wine Partners to provide the management team with the resources and professional network necessary to fully realize the company’s potential.
Strategy
B Cellars was founded in 2002 by Jim Borsack and Duffy Keys, an extremely strong management team with a history of success selling luxury goods and services to discerning customers. CGP has known Duffy Keys for many years and as a result, CGP has followed the progress of the company since inception. B Cellars’ blend strategy provides the company a variable cost structure that allows management to focus investment resources on selecting and purchasing the highest quality fruit in the Napa Valley region while operating with minimal fixed expenses. The combination of extraordinary management, superior product and an innovative operating structure makes this an exciting and differentiated growth opportunity within a relatively difficult industry category.
Involvement
Bill Reisler is a Director of the Company. CGP actively supports the senior executive team in key areas of marketing, operations and finance to implement best practices throughout the organization and to execute the long-term strategic plan.
Transaction Announcement
To review the announcement, please click on the following link: B Cellars