From 2006 to present Bonnie has been speaking and providing consulting services to both private sector and non-profit organizations. She appears at and hosts various fundraisers for the causes she champions. She has also been active in the success of a 40 unit Wine Country Pied a Terre project.
In 2005, she worked as a consultant for E&J Gallo to help them integrate the Barefoot Wine Brand into their portfolio.
Bonnie Harvey was Co-Founder and Vice President of Barefoot Wines for the 19 years from its inception in 1985 until its acquisition in 2005. She accepted a wide range of responsibilities including whatever was required to operate the business. In the early days of the brand she was responsible for label design, bottling oversight, and supply inventory. At that time, she was also responsible for all financial aspects of the business, including accounting and budgeting, as well as developing, maintaining, and increasing credit from vendors and financial institutions. The famous footprint on the label is Bonnie’s footprint.
After the business was able to hire professional staff, she focused on overview and direction of the business, setting company goals, and attending to Board of Director matters. She was also responsible for legal relations and compliance. She approved and edited all written materials including press releases, presentations, price lists, job descriptions, contracts, manuals, policies and procedures, checklists and sign off sheets. She is creative and a good editor with an eye for detail. She was essential to the success of the business.
One of Bonnie’s major achievements was her involvement in the creation of a new “Alternating Premise” licensing law. This allowed producers who contracted to bottle at outside facilities to have the licenses (and associated responsibilities) of Bonded Wineries, thereby changing the wine industry. Today there are over one hundred Alternating Premise licenses.
Her background includes several entrepreneurial undertakings including an office organization and management service. Her clients included lawyers, wineries, and vineyards, as well as private clients.
Bonnie attended Bates Business College in Washington State, and studied video production at Oregon City Community College. It was there she first learned how to get and hold the attention of a viewer (or customer). “If you don’t use humor, no one will listen.” She adapted this saying to one used at Barefoot Cellars: “If you can’t make ‘em smile, don’t make ‘em wine.”
Before Bonnie entered into the wine industry, she was not very familiar with wine. “There were too many brands to choose from, with names difficult to pronounce.” So, she and Michael decided to produce a wine that was “non-confounding”. She said, ” All the words on the label must be easy to pronounce (no French!). The taste must be soft (it can’t take the enamel off your teeth) and the price must be affordable.” Barefoot Wines were designed for the average person and perfect for new wine drinkers.
“Barefoot is feet on the ground, not nose in the air!”
“I love Barefoot Wine because humor is an integral component of our success.”
Bonnie Harvey
