(Originally published August 2008)

“Get Barefoot and Have a Great Time”

That’s the tagline that appears on each bottle from Barefoot Wine. These are meant to be laid-back, easy-drinking, fun wines – and they are, with pricetags to match.

Barefoot Wine is a 2005 addition to the Gallo portfolio, and the brand has benefited not only by the great and powerful Gallo marketing machine, but also by the access to quality resources like good grapes and winemaking facilities.

And making sure that the “get barefoot” image doesn’t get lost in the workings of a big company, you have winemaker Jennifer Wall. A sunny California girl, Wall started with Barefoot in 1995 and spent 10 years as the sole winemaker there – growing the winery from around 150,000 annual cases sold to more than 600,000 when Gallo arrived on the scene.

In other words, underneath Wall’s casual vibe and vibrant personality must be some serious determination and strength!

Today, Barefoot produces a range of still and sparkling wines – selling for around five to ten bucks. We’ve particularly liked a couple of the still wines:

Barefoot Wine NV Pinot Grigio California ($7). Easy to like, with some crisp green apple, generous juicy tropical citrus fruit, and a touch of stone. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Barefoot Wine NV Moscato California ($7). Aromatic tangerine, sweet peach and floral notes, an appealing prickle, and a smooth, honeyed finish. Unabashedly sweet – try with a summer fruit dessert! Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

To learn more about Jennifer Wall and Barefoot Wine, visit www.barefootwine.com.