California Cooler

California Cooler is a brand of alcoholic beverage, a sangria packaged in a 12 fl. oz. glass bottle. Its formula and packaging were the first to be known as a wine cooler. Originally named Canada Cooler, the package was redesigned by Glenn Martinez and Associates, and the drink was later also sold in a 2-liter bottle. Founded in 1976 by Lodi High School friends Michael Crete and R. Stuart Bewley, along with original partners (mostly friends and family) who raised $140,000, the brand sold 12.3 million cases worth $125 million by 1985.

That year, Crete and Bewley sold the company to Brown-Forman Inc. in a deal valued up to $146 million. Competition from E&J Gallo Winery's Bartles & Jaymes and Seagram's own wine coolers led to a decline in market share. Overall wine-cooler sales dropped 98 percent in 1987 from 1976, and California Cooler volume fell to 5 million cases. On 30 March 2007, Majestic Brands, a Danville beverage company, announced plans to revive the brand.