Paso Robles, CA (August 14, 2019) — O’Neill Vintners & Distillers, a leading California producer of premium wine brands, announces the launch of a new wine brand, Intercept, in partnership with wine aficionado, television personality, retired football superstar, and one of the all-time leaders in NFL interceptions, Charles Woodson. Intercept is a new line of wines from Paso Robles and Monterey County that brings Woodson’s passion for wine to the American table. Intercept launches with a Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Blend, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, line priced at a suggested retail price of $18.
Woodson remarks on his true passion for wine, explaining, “My love of wine happened organically while living in Napa Valley during training camp playing for the Oakland Raiders in the 90’s. The way people connected with wine intrigued me and I wanted to be a part of it.” Woodson says. “I created Intercept for my fans. My fans wanted to connect with me after football, they wanted more from me, and wine is the great connector.”
Intercept is made in collaboration with O’Neill Vintners & Distillers, the seventh largest winery in the US. Paso Robles based winemaker Amanda Gorter sources fruit from premium California vineyards in Paso Robles and Monterey to make the wines Woodson wanted to share with his fans. “After touring the Paso Robles and Monterey area, I knew I had found the right home for Intercept. The perfect pairing, so to speak,” adds Woodson.
To launch Intercept, Woodson will host a private media reception at the infamous Wolverine’s home field, Michigan Stadium at the University of Michigan on August 21, 2019. Guests will mingle with Founder and CEO Jeff O’Neill and Winemaker Amanda Gorter as they sample each wine paired with a specially curated menu by Main Street Ventures restaurant group. Intercept will be supported with distribution in the Midwest, California and Florida. Guests will also toast the recent announcement of Woodson’s induction into Michigan Sports Hall Of Fame scheduled for a separate ceremony in October.
ABOUT THE ‘INTERCEPT’ COLLECTION:
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Paso Robles Vintage: 2016. Tasting Notes: Aromas of black currant, sweet tobacco and spice. Flavors of dried blueberries, cedar, and forest floor complement this wine’s fine-grained tannins and balanced acidity.
Composition: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 8% Petite Sirah, 3% Zinfandel , 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Syrah
RED BLEND
Paso Robles Vintage: 2017. Tasting Notes: Deep Ruby in color, aromas of berry cobbler, savory herbs, and tobacco. The wine is full-bodied with fine grained tannins on the mid-palate and a long spicy finish.
Composition: 40% Petite Sirah, 30% Zinfandel, 15% Petit Verdot, 10% Tempranillo, 5% Syrah
PINOT NOIR
Monterey County Vintage: 2017. Tasting Notes: Garnet in color, aromas of strawberry, pastry cream, and nutmeg. The wine is medium bodied with dusty fine grained tannins and long juicy finish.
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir, from Santa Lucia Highlands (90%) and Paso Robles (10%)
CHARDONNAY
Paso Robles Vintage: 2018. Tasting Notes: Bright straw-gold in color, medium bodied with notes of apple, peach and baking spices. Rich from barrel fermentation and sur lie aging, the wine has a long toasty oak finish with balancing acidity.
Composition: 100% Chardonnay, From the Adelaida and Templeton Gap Districts
ABOUT CHARLES WOODSON:
Charles Woodson is an 18 year NFL veteran, former NFL Defensive MVP and Heisman Trophy winner. He is a Super Bowl champion and nine-time Pro Bowl defensive back. The veteran player played his final season in 2015. He played college football for Michigan, where he led the Wolverines to a national championship in 1997. Woodson, a “two-way player” who played both offense and defense, won the Heisman Trophy in the same year. To date, he is the only primarily defensive player to win the Heisman, and he is the most recent player to win the Heisman who was not either a running back or quarterback. Woodson went on to accomplish a storied career professionally with one of the most decorated professional football resumes of all time, considered by many of his peers to be one of the greatest defensive players to have ever played.
ABOUT O’NEILL VINTNERS & DISTILLERS:
O’Neill Vintners & Distillers was founded in 2004 by entrepreneur and industry veteran, Jeff O’Neill. The family-owned and operated winery has grown to become one of the largest varietal wine and brandy producers in California with a reputation for producing high quality wines from the North Coast, Central Coast and Central Valley. Through its extensive vineyards and modern production facilities, O’Neill’s growing portfolio of national and exclusive brands.includes the company’s fast growing Line 39 (up +29% trailing 26 weeks per Nielsen), other brands in the company’s national brands portfolio include Robert Hall, Harken, Exitus, Day Owl and , Austerity, For more information, please visit www.ONeillWine.com.
