Big Tattoo Wines Celebrate Five Years of Commitment to Fundraising

Springfield, VA, October 11, 2007 --(PR.com)-- It was fall of 2002 when Billington Wines released Big Tattoo Red, a wine with a unique mission – a mission to give back to the community, to help others and to ultimately make a difference. Now, five years later, the brand, along with its mission has secured its spot in the wine market and has raised funds in excess of $1 million.

Big Tattoo Red, the brainchild of brothers, Erik and Alex Bartholomaus was created as a way to honor their mother, Liliana S. Bartholomaus and to raise money for charitable causes such as breast cancer research and hospice care. Erik’s tattoo inspired label design of the Fleur de Lys and Alex’s business sense and wine knowledge proved an unlikely, yet very successful partnership.

“The wine itself, and the resulting donations have been wonderful tributes to our mom, but the opportunity to work on a project with my brother would have made her very happy as well,” said Alex Bartholomaus, President and CEO of Billington Wines. “My brother and I have very different interests and very different careers. Combining the two has been a great experience and we have ultimately created a very unique product.”

Following a successful first year, the project grew in scope and by 2005 included the original Big Tattoo Red, Big Tattoo White and Big Tattoo Syrah. In early 2007, a reserve level line of wines was added, under the brand name 2 Brothers, which includes a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Syrah and a Riesling. All six wines carry the same original commitment to charity, earning donations in the amount of 50 cents from each bottle sold.

“There is a constant commitment to charity that surrounds Big Tattoo Wines, a commitment shared by everyone who produces, sells or purchases them,” Bartholomaus said. “It is that commitment that has enabled us to affect more than 70 charities located across the country that benefit the local communities where the wines are sold.”

Big Tattoo Wines, a partnership between brothers Erik and Alex Bartholomaus, began in 2002 as a way to raise funds for charity in memory of their mother, Liliana S. Bartholomaus. Fifty cents from every bottle of Big Tattoo sold is donated in their mother's name to charity, with a portion benefiting the community where the wine is sold. Due to the success of the original Big Tattoo Red, the Big Tattoo project has expanded to include six different wines available in restaurants and retailers nationwide. By 2007, over 70 charities in approximately 33 states have benefited from the more than $1 million raised. For more information, visit www.bigtattoowines.com.

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