Trader Joe’s Becomes Latest National
Chain to Carry Fresno State Wines

Trader Joe’s, the national chain with outlets in 19 states, is now carrying Fresno State Wines in its two local stores in Fresno at 5376 N. Blackstone (southeast corner of Barstow) and Clovis at 1077 N. Willow (southeast corner of Nees).

Trader Joe’s, the national chain with outlets in 19 states, will begin carrying Fresno State Wines in its two local stores this week, officials of California State University, Fresno’s viticulture and enology program announced today.

With more than 200 stores in 19 states, Trader Joe’s is yet another major national outlet to carry the award-winning program’s wines, announced Dr. Robert Wample, head of viticulture and enology at Fresno State. The wines are also carried in Costco, Save Mart, Albertson’s, Von’s, Beverages and More, Catalano’s and many other retail outlets.

Trader Joe’s – Clovis store captain Mike Chauncey toasts the first shipment of Fresno State Wines today with Fresno State Winemaster Kenneth Fugelsang and, back row, marketing director Garret Jones, enology students Mike Borboa and Steve Fredson.

Two wines will be available: the gold medal-winning 2002 Syrah and a Special Selection California Chardonnay designed specifically for Trader Joe’s.

The first shipment arrives at the Fresno and Clovis stores Tuesday afternoon for the first big promotional push this three-day weekend although the wines will be available immediately, said Garret Jones, marketing director for Fresno State Wines.

Jones called the partnership a major breakthrough for the award-winning program, which has the only university winery in the nation that is bonded to bottle, label and sell its wines commercially.

“The partnership with Trader Joe’s is a major step for our marketing plan,” said Jones, who joined the winery staff this summer and has negotiated placement of the wines in numerous valley outlets as well as Vino’s in the Bay Area. “We are hoping that with the Trader Joe’s program success, we can branch off into other markets. Eventually, our marketing plan will take Fresno State Wines onto the statewide and national distribution stage”

Linda King of Clovis was the first Trader Joe’s customer to buy Fresno State Wines as the display was being set up today. With Winemaster Kenneth Fugelsang on hand for the occasion, he was able to get his autograph on the bottles. She said she will give the wines to her husband.

“We are very excited to be bringing the Fresno State Wines into Trader Joe’s,” said Mike Chauncey, captain of the Clovis store located at 1077 N. Willow (southeast corner of Nees). “Like many of our customers, we are big supporters of the university and making the wines available to them here at Trader Joe’s is a natural partnership.”

The Fresno Store is located at 5376 N. Blackstone (southeast corner of Barstow).

With headquarters in Monrovia, Trader Joe’s carries a selection of deli products, breads, dairy and fresh juices as well as have limited quantities of some items such as wines, nuts or dried fruits, which change vintages each year.

Its website explains that Trader Joe’s buyers travel to Europe, Australia and South America searching for outstanding wines which to sell at great prices.

“On any visit to our store, you'll discover a changing assortment of fine wines that are excellent values,” the website says.

Jones and university winemaster Ken Fugelsang feel the sales of Fresno State Wines at Trader Joe’s will go over well.

Produced from grapes grown in the Diener Vineyards of western Fresno County, the 2002 Syrah features abundant soft tannins coupled with an attractive core of plum and ripe cherries and hints of anise, Fugelsang said.

“It is delicate enough to be served with fowl and light meats yet sufficiently bold for pairings with heavy red and barbecued entrees,” he said.

Among other gold and silver medals received in 2004, Fresno State’s Syrah received both a gold medal and later awarded Best of Class at the 2004 New World International Wine Competition.

Fresno State’s Special Selection California Chardonnay features abundant ripe peach, apple and spice flavors that Fugelsang says progressively unveil as the wine fans out across the palate.

“Abundant fruit flavors are supported by a buttery and toasty background derived from fermentation and aging in American, French and Hungarian oak,” Fugelsang said.

Other outlets in the valley where Fresno State Wines are currently available include: Albertsons (selected locations) Bailey Cannon Wine Merchants (Fig Garden Village), Beverages 'n More (N. Blackstone & Nees), Catalano's Market (Herndon & West), Longs Drugs (selected Fresno/Clovis locations), Old Doc's Liquor (Cedar & Nees and Bullard & West), Save Mart (selected locations), Sierra Nut House (Sierra & Chestnut and Bullard & Palm), Terra Bella Supply (Terra Bella), The Wine Sellers (Hanford), Town and Country (Kingsburg), University Liquor (Bulldog Plaza at Barstow and Cedar), Varsity Liquor (west end of shopping center at Cedar and Ashlan), Von's (selected locations), Whole Foods Market (Fig Garden Village).

Dining locations that carry the wine include Campagnia (Champlain and Perrin), Erna's Elderberry House (Oakhurst), Tenaya Lodge (Yosemite), Valentino's (Reedley), Joy Luck (Blackstone and Nees).

For more information on the university winery, visit FresnoStateWinery.com or call (559) 278-WINE. For more information about Trader Joe’s, call Pat St. John at (626) 599-3779.

See information about the Fresno State Winemaster’s Weekend scheduled for March 4-6 at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite through links at FresnoStateNews.com.

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