Fred Franzia Has Died

The following email was sent to employees this morning. No further information is available at this time.

---

 

To Bronco Wine Company Family,

 

It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of our father and founding partner Fred T. Franzia.

 

Fred died early this morning at his Redwood home in Denair, California, with family by his side.  He was 79 years old.

 

Renata would like to share a quote from her father, “We are fighting a good fight and at the end, we all have an expiration date.”  Fred has been private about health issues and we appreciate all your support during this time.

 

Fred had the vision of creating high quality wines at a value for wine consumers, including Charles Shaw a/k/a Two Buck Chuck which has sold over 1 billion bottles and built on a belief that wine should be enjoyed and consumed on every American Table.  When asked how Bronco Wine Company can sell wine cheaper than a bottle of water, Fred T. Franzia famously retorted, “They’re overcharging for the water – don’t you get it?”

 

Each and every one of you are part of the Bronco Wine Company family and success.  The foundation has been built by our founders and the future has never looked brighter.

 

Our father’s motto during his health battle and repeated many times over, “Be happy and know The Journey Continues….”

 

Survivors include his five children, Renata, Roma, Joseph, Joey, Carlo and Giovanna; fourteen grandchildren (soon to be fifteen); his brother, Joseph; and his sisters, Joellen and Catherine.

 

On behalf of the family, thank you for all the prayers and support.

 

 

Warmly,

 

Joey and Renata Franzia