(KELOWNA, B.C. - 17 August, 2010) -
Ron Pennington, President and CEO of The Bounty Management Group
Inc., is pleased to announce a strategic alliance with Sparkling
Hill Wellness Hotel Ltd., operators of the spectacular Sparkling
Hill Resort near Vernon, B.C, above Predator Ridge.
"This is a relationship for us that
has been more a matter of evolution than negotiation," Pennington
said. "I became so inspired by the vision of Hans-Peter Mayr and his
associates as this resort developed, we found ourselves not just
becoming professional friends, but the Bounty Group was able to
provide counsel about all things Okanagan and British Columbia."
Sparkling Hill, a $122 million,
152-room luxury resort with a 40,000 square foot spa/wellness centre
- unequalled in North America - is perched on the edge of a granite
ridge overlooking the Monashee Mountains and Lake Okanagan. It was
the dream of veteran Austrian hotelier Mayr, who had become a
frequent visitor to British Columbia. He obtained the financial
backing of fellow Austrian Gernot Langes-Swarovski, patriarch of the
Swarovski Crystal group. The resort displays 3.5 million Swarovski
crystals, from intricate designs in every room to grand art pieces
in public areas, a $10 million investment in itself.
The Bounty Group is a Kelowna-based
commercial winery that has produced award-winning wines since it was
founded in 2004, both under the Bounty brand and also for a growing
number of private labels. "Our goal from the beginning was not to
compete with the excellent estate wineries of this region, but
rather to emulate the great negotiants of France who create their
own brands, purchasing and blending the products of many growers,"
Pennington said.
Consultations with Mayr and Sparkling
Hill, during the development stages, focused on the local economy,
liquor laws, business practices and the culture of the Okanagan
region. As opening day grew nearer, creating a representative wine
list became a challenge, as well as staff training and development.
The relationship has since grown to embrace all aspects of business
development.
Mayr, the Sparkling Hill CEO, said:
"We were extremely fortunate in having the friendship and guidance
of Ron Pennington and his Bounty team. We are very confident that
our European style of doing things, and vast experience in the
wellness area, will achieve success in North America, but without
the kind of guidance and support people like Ron have provided, we
would still be trying to navigate a path through the cultural,
government and business differences.
The Bounty/Sparkling Hill strategic
alliance is focused upon:
-
working with various governments,
institutions and public policy;
-
celebrating the region's wine
industry and honouring its heroes, in a fashion that is fair to
all;
-
developing signature wines, with
a style and quality consistent with the high standards of
Sparkling Hill Resort;
-
networking with similar four and
five-star resorts within B.C. and the Pacific Northwest;
-
integrating with mainstream B.C.
corporate life; and,
-
serving as a resource for
Sparkling Hill's marketing, sales and public relations
personnel.
"There is another aspect of this
relationship that is intriguing and promising," Pennington said.
"Just as Sparkling Hill is an investment for Gernot Langes-Swarovski,
separate from the Swarovski Crystal enterprises he leads, he also
owns what is perhaps Argentina's most respected winery, Bodega
Norton. Their sales volume, expertise and technology could become a
resource of enormous potential for our whole Okanagan industry."
- 30 -
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
At Bounty Cellars
Ron Pennington, President & CEO
#7 - 364 Lougheed Road
Kelowna,B.C. V1X 7R8
Tel. 250-765-9200 Ext: 103
E-mail:
ron@thebountygroup.com
Skype: ronald.pennington1
www.bountycellars.com
|
At Sparkling Hill Resort
Hans-Peter Mayr, President & CEO
888 Sparkling Place
Vernon, B.C. V1H 2K7
Tel. 250-275-1556
E-mail:
hans-peter.mayr@sparklinghill.com
www.sparklinghill.com
|
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