Vineyard Brands

Vineyard Brands was founded by Robert Haas in 1971, and a remodeled barn on the Haas family farm served as headquarters from the inception of the company until May of 1997. Robert Haas began his career in 1950, as the buyer for his father’s wine shop in New York City. As Haas became more interested in the wine business, he became less interested in the retail business. In 1955, he started an importing arm, Leeds Imports Corporation, and commenced seriously selling in markets other than the state of New York. In 1961 Haas’ father sold his store and in 1967 he pulled his capital out of Leeds, which left him with little choice but to find a buyer, and he sold his company to Barton Distilling Company. However, Barton lacked the long-term commitment to the fine wine business and Haas resigned from Barton in 1970 and moved to Vermont in 1971 and founded Vineyard Brands. In 1990 a succession plan was put in place and Jerry Neff was named President. Prior to being named President, Jerry Neff was National Sales Manager for Vineyard Brands for 5 years, State Manager for National Distributing Company in Georgia for 1 year and General Sales Manager for McKesson Wine & Spirits in Atlanta for 9 years.