VIDEO: Hear the story of SHARE A SPLASH wine co. from Founder Yoav Gilat.
2006 The beginning.
It all began with one varietal: Cabernet. Combining his business acumen, legal expertise, passion for food and wine, and love for California, founder Yoav Gilat launched Cannonball Wine Company with the belief that wine should be fun, uninhibited, and approachable.
“The founding vision was to produce one of the best Cabernet Sauvignons under $20 for the U.S. market. I set out to make a wine that I would want to drink and be proud to share.”
2010 And then there were four…
Cannonball Cabernet had established a solid reputation in the marketplace. Cannonball enthusiasts wanted more! Driven by market demand, the line was extended. The first varietal was Chardonnay, followed by Merlot and then Sauvignon Blanc. As our first born, Cannonball Cabernet remains our flagship wine.
Through tireless passion and drive, distribution in all the major U.S. markets and a handful of International, a solid foundation of success took hold.
2012 Cannonball meets Astrolabe wines from New Zealand.
At a fateful meeting arranged by our Toronto agent, Cannonball and Astrolabe fell in love at first sight. Fall 2012, Cannonball became the exclusive U.S. agent for highly acclaimed Astrolabe Wines from New Zealand. Recognized as one of Marlborough’s premier producers, Astrolabe added critical acclaim and prestige within the sommelier network to our portfolio.
2014 The launch of the beloved Angels & Cowboys.
Angels & Cowboys is a collaboration with award-winning (and our label) graphic designer, Michael Schwab. Michael’s artwork, the name, and our vision for the style of wine were components that organically came together. The initial plan was to produce a Zinfandel – based Sonoma County Proprietary Red label only, but our love for Rosé inspired us and we produced a handful of cases for fun. Immediately well received into our existing network, the first vintages sold out ahead of forecast. Both the Proprietary Red and Rosé quickly established success within our portfolio and earned a devoted consumer following.
True to Angels & Cowboys’ unconventional spirit, we always look to buck convention. In 2020, during a time of instability and uncertainty, we brought lightness and conviviality with bubbles! We launched our sparkling wine program with Angels & Cowboys Brut Rosé, followed by Angels & Cowboys Brut. Both wines are crafted in the Méthode Traditionnelle using the iconic Champagne varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier.
Exceptional North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon sourcing introduced Angels & Cowboys Cabernet to the A&C family. California’s North Coast wine region is a bohemian paradise—a cradle of biodynamic and organic viticulture where grape growers and winemakers defy convention, innovating on the fringes of tradition while proudly honoring their heritage. Renowned for its ideal pairing of climate and soils, perfectly suited to cultivating world-class Cabernet, the North Coast was a natural choice for Angels & Cowboys.
2016 Making a splash with High Dive Napa Valley.
High Dive marks Share a Splash wine co.’s first entry into the Napa Valley luxury wine market. High Dive began as an adventurous collaboration between SHARE A SPLASH wine co. founder Yoav Gilat and winemakers Peter Heitz (Turnbull Wine Cellars) and Scott Palazzo (Palazzo Wines). The winemaking dream team set out to craft an elegant, proprietary red that would showcase the best of Napa’s terroir, with classic restraint, and an homage to the classic Napa Valley blends of the 1970s. Upon the inaugural 2014 vintage release, High Dive immediately made its way onto coveted wine lists like The French Laundry, and received high marks from the press.
2016 SHARE A SPLASH wine co. is born!
A thriving global portfolio, ten successful years of building Cannonball, and the creation of new brands and partnerships led to the founding of SHARE A SPLASH wine co. Our parent company embodies the founding philosophy that wine, like life, is best enjoyed when shared.
2020 José Maria da Fonseca’s Twin Vines enters the portfolio.
Twin Vines Vinho Verde perfectly aligned with the SHARE A SPLASH portfolio vision of offering bold wines for every price point and palate. This refreshing, low-alcohol wine, positioned in the emerging “Better for You” category, brought a much-needed breath of fresh air in 2020!
2023 The vision of Atelier wines is brought to life.
SHARE A SPLASH Wine Co. winemaker Ondine Chattan brings years of experience, passion, and expertise to the heart of Atelier. Her long-standing relationships with the Russian River Valley’s multi-generational farmers, combined with the region’s distinctive soil profiles and diverse microclimates, drew us to a selection of exceptional vineyard sites. Here, we saw the potential to craft unique expressions that embody our winemaking spirit.
Atelier Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc are sourced from sustainably farmed Russian River Valley vineyards, owned and operated by acclaimed winegrowing families entrenched in the region for decades.
Atelier is committed to sustainability from grape to glass.
2024 Roshambo joins the team.
After flirting with the name for years, it was time to launch the brand. Born and rooted in Sonoma County, ROSHAMBO embodies the essence and vibrant spirit of the region. The appellation’s deep appreciation for time-honored traditions, authenticity, and unwavering commitment to sustainability is woven into the very DNA of ROSHAMBO. A handful of small vineyards from the most alluring sub-appellations provides a fantastic canvas for Winemaker Ondine to craft a Pinot Noir that overdelivers on every level!
SHARE a SPLASH wine co. Today
With California original Cannonball as our flagship brand –SHARE A SPLASH wine co. has grown into a respected marketer and driver of approachable wine brands that are united in their mission to connect people through wine.
Today, SHARE A SPLASH wine co. produces and markets a portfolio of seven wine brands in forty-seven states and thirty-seven international markets. We are passionate about offering wines we believe in and are committed to innovation and authenticity on every level of our business. We strive to create and maintain long – term relationships with all of our partners and to be continually growing our global network of brand ambassadors.