, with more than 40 years of history, is a best-selling brand that makes 350,000 cases per year, and the sale includes vineyards, wineries, and two tasting rooms. Massican, on the other hand, has been a one man show since Dan Petroski launched it in 2009. Petroski does not own any vineyards, produces his wine at several different facilities, and focuses on white Italian varieties in addition to Chardonnay and.
The Brooklyn, New York native studied history at Columbia University, worked as a journalist, and then in sales and finance at Time Inc. while simultaneously earning an MBA at New York University. At a pivotal juncture in his career, having delved deep into wine during client dinners at Manhattan’s finest restaurants, he went to Sicily and interned at a winery for a year. Having planned to return to New York, Petroski instead headed to California to work a grape harvest.
Petroski says that Joe Gallo approached him when he had his “…head down and was focused on sourcing more vineyards, making more wine, and creating content to support it.” However, he had always had a dream to scale, which generally means selling or partnering with a deep-pocketed investor. When he met Joe Gallo over a glass of wine, the two “…quickly connected and established a friendship.