Bounty/Sparkling Hill strategic alliance
KELOWNA, BC, Aug. 18 /CNW/ - 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."
For further information: For further information:
At Bounty Cellars | At Sparkling Hill Resort |
Ron Pennington, President & CEO Tel. 250-765-9200 Ext: 103 E-mail:[email protected] www.bountycellars.com |
Hans-Peter Mayr, President & CEO Tel. 250-275-1556 E-mail:[email protected] www.sparklinghill.com |
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