Bronco Wine expansion, with 30 new
jobs, wins support

By John Holland

 May 5, 2017

Bronco Wine Co. got support Thursday night for a major
expansion at its headquarters south of Ceres — and praise for a notable
product.

The Stanislaus County Planning Commission voted 7-0 for a
rezoning that will ease the way for new warehouse and office space. The Board
of Supervisors will make the final decision on the plan, expected to create
about 30 jobs at the Keyes Road site.

Bronco markets its wines under dozens of labels and also
sells bulk wine to other producers. It is best known for Charles Shaw, which
first sold for $1.99 at Trader Joe’s stores and came to be known as Two Buck
Chuck. It’s now up to $2.99.

Commissioner Katherine Borges recalled that a 2005 version
was named best chardonnay at the California State Fair. It competed against
about 350 higher-priced bottles.

Borges suggested that Bronco add a tasting room, but company
representative Dan Leonard said that is not in the plan.

“It’s a production facility supporting ag, supporting
grapes,” said Leonard, a vice president and treasurer.

Bronco, founded in 1974, is one of the nation’s largest wine
producers. The Keyes Road site does crushing, fermenting, aging and bottling of
a large part of its volume. About 325 people work there year-round, and
seasonal employees can bring the total to 550.

Leonard declined to say how much the expansion will cost.
The first phase, taking up to five years, includes a 120,000-square-foot
warehouse that is part of an eventual 613,000 square feet of new storage. This
phase also involves two spurs from the Union Pacific Railroad line next to the
site, which Leonard said would cut down on truck traffic.

Bronco plans to move into the later phases as wine sales
grow. They include 81,000 square feet for offices and other space for training
and other needs.

Read more here: http://www.modbee.com/news/business/agriculture/article148850499.html#storylink=cpy