E. & J. Gallo Winery Recognizes Top Performing Supply Partners

MODESTO, Calif., May 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- E. & J. Gallo Winery (Gallo) recognized some of its top performing supply partners during an awards dinner at its Supplier Summit held at the Gallo Center for the Arts on May 13^th. The summit brought together the Gallo Winery leadership and more than 30 of Gallo's top strategic supply partners for two days of seminars and recognition.

Among Gallo's more than 5000 suppliers world-wide, three received a Supplier Excellence Award. Those companies were Pacific Southwest Container, Baer Enterprises, and Cargill, Inc. Pacific Southwest Container was recognized for a packaging innovation that led to successful positioning of a new product launch this year and for expanding their supply chain to provide better service. Baer Enterprises was commended for having the highest overall score on the 2013 Gallo Supplier Scorecard and for successfully managing several urgent promotional projects. Cargill, Inc. was recognized for embodying the Gallo Corporate Values of teamwork and partnership as well as their continued support of Gallo.

"I congratulate all of our award winners", said Rob Donoho, Vice President Global Sourcing. He added, "We are fortunate to have long-term relationships with many of our supply partners and, as a result, we are able to leverage these relationships to drive value through innovation, service, quality and cost advantages."

Company CEO Joe Gallo was the keynote speaker and addressed the audience on the need for Innovation with this year's theme as "See the Future". In addition, a number of Gallo business leaders shared insights about the company's focus on innovation. According to Jennifer Joe Wiseman, Vice President Consumer and Product Insights, who discussed Gallo's recent launch of products that were driven by innovative ideas, "We consider innovation a team sport; innovation takes great ideas and great ideas come from anywhere."

About E. & J. Gallo Winery
Established in 1933 in Modesto, California, by Ernest and Julio Gallo, E. & J. Gallo Winery has become the world's largest winery and the foremost winery in the art of grape growing, winemaking, distribution and marketing of wines. With nine wineries strategically located in wine regions in both California and Washington and access to grapes from vineyards in all of the premier grape-growing areas of both states, Gallo produces wines in every category, to suit every taste. In addition, Gallo imports wines from fourteen wineries around the world. Some of the brands in Gallo's wine portfolio include Gallo Family Vineyards, Barefoot Cellars, Apothic, Louis M. Martini, MacMurray Ranch, Bridlewood, Mirassou Vineyards, Frei Brothers Reserve, William Hill Estate, Edna Valley Vineyard, Columbia Winery, Martin Codax, Brancaia, LaMarca and Ecco Domani. The Winery is also expanding its portfolio with distilled spirits and has recently added New Amsterdam Gin, New Amsterdam Vodka, Familia Camarena Tequila and Shellback Rum.

SOURCE E. & J. Gallo Winery