We Finally Turned a Profit
In 2008, we launched Bruliam Wines with the mission to craft world-class wines and donate the profits to charity. In our inaugural harvest we produced a single barrel of pinot noir, about 25 cases of wine. We've grown every year since, and in 2014, we made nearly 1,000 cases. That's a pretty spectacular growth curve.
Today Bruliam Wines is featured on some of the best wine lists in top restaurants throughout California, Texas, New York, and very soon Illinois. Along with way, we relocated our family to beautiful Sonoma County and purchased a small pinot noir vineyard of our own in the Russian River Valley.
As with any growing business, eeking out a profit during those first few years was next to impossible. Despite the odds, we remained committed to our charitable mission by foregoing a marketing budget in exchange for charitable donations. Since our inception, we have granted gifts from $250 to $1,000 to over 65 different charities selected by our mailing list members and our restaurant and retail partners.
We'd become so used to operating Bruliam at a loss that you can imagine our surprise when our accountant called us just before tax filing day with the big news: in 2014 we finally turned a profit - $8,752!
After taking a few weeks to adjust to this strange new reality, we've come up with a basic plan to distribute this money. First, we'll be making a donation in the amount of $3,000 to Wounded Warrior Project. Wounded Warrior is an organization close to our hearts and was the very first recipient of a Bruliam Wines donation. We're honored to continue to support this important organization.
The balance will fuel our ongoing donation program on behalf of our customers. Most recently, we've recently made $250 donations to Just in Time for Foster Youth, Dress for Success, and Andy Dekaney High School Marching Band, selected by retail, wholesale, and restaurant partners from CA to TX.
Throughout the course of the year, we'll continue to make donations against our 2014 profit. One of the easiest ways for you to participate in our giving circle is to send us pictures of yourself enjoying a bottle of Bruliam Wine (or, for those of you who have been around a while - sporting one of the now vintage Bruliam t-shirts!). Drink something delicious while advocating for a charity you love.
The last seven years have seen explosive growth for Bruliam Wines. But for now we're content to keep production around 1,000 cases of wine per year so we can start to maximize profits and increase our charitable donation budget in upcoming years.
None of this would have been possible without your support. From those of you in San Diego who bought our first vintage sight unseen to our more recent mailing list members and restaurant partners, we remain eternally grateful for your ongoing support.
Cheers,
Kerith & Brian Overstreet
