• by Nina Lentini  @Nina_Lentini, April 9, 2007

A small California vintner is hoping to hog the market with its first release, a 2004 V-Twin Zin.

V-Twin Vineyards, based in the Sonoma County wine country, is out with 500,000 cases of its custom crushed and blended vintage, targeting motorcycle riders--in particular, Harley-Davidson owners--with a marketing budget that allows for one press release.

"We all know that Sauvignon Blanc goes with fish and that Chianti is an excellent choice with lasagna," it says. "What sort of wine do you drink after you park your Harley-Davidson and unzip your leathers? Try V-Twin Zin ..."

The label is emblazoned with a skull and flaming v-twin engine, says Scott Del Fava, brand manager and part of the husband-and-wife company. "And the wine inside is damn good."

Del Fava says he and his wife are Harley riders who ride on weekends, socializing with fellow hogs. Several years ago, after a run near Las Vegas, they were sipping wine with friends, wondering how to blend their passion for Harleys with a money-making venture. Del Fava, who had worked in the wine industry for 25 years before going solo, says they came up with the idea of making and selling wine then and there.

Since the "outlaw biker" image associated with Harleys has long been replaced by bikers now in their 40s and 50s with careers and families, Del Fava thinks he has the market pegged.

"What they share is a love of the finer things in life ... good food, good times and, of course, good wine," he says, himself a member of the demographic.

The wine is available only via vtwinwines.com. Planned releases include: River Run Chardonnay, Poker Run Cabernet, Redwood Run Zinfandel and Toy Run Rose. Del Fava says the winery hopes to set up a tasting room in the near future with plenty of room out front for Harleys.

"We were mostly selling wine to our friends," Del Fava says, "while we got the deal up and running."

So how does it feel to be a marketer of wine?

"Life is great," he says.