After 13 years in the wine import and distribution business, Portland, Oregon-based
entrepreneur Bob Lynde founded Fat Barrel Wine Company. Prior to launching Fat Barrel, Bob
was an owner and director Cape Classics, Inc. a New York based South African wine importer.
In 2003 Bob founded Oregon Brokered Brands (OBB), a Portland, Oregon based wine distribution
company. OBB was purchased by the Henry Wine Group of California in 2005. Bob also sold his
ownership interest in Cape Classics in 2005, to pursue the creation of Fat Barrel Wine Company.
Bob has always believed the fine wine consumer is inherently interested in giving back to those with less
and believes the wine industry can support the development of wine company and wine brands with
philanthropic missions. Given Bob’s interest in and passion for South Africa, Fat Barrel’s Wine Company’s
initial brand release was a value-priced South African range wines, affectionately called Bob’s.
The Bob’s brand generates awareness about the bounty and beauty of Africa, while acknowledging
the continents humanitarian challenges and raising funds to combat those challenges. 10% of Bob’s
brand sales revenue benefits organizations working to help those with less in Africa. In 2007 Fat Barrel
announced a national partnership with Africare, in addition to supporting other regional humanitarian
organizations. In 2009, the FAT BARREL wine brand was launched. The FAT BARREL brand includes
wines from South Africa and Oregon. Similar in spirit to the Bob’s range of wines, 10% of
FAT BARREL brand sales benefit local community organizations working to help those with less in
the markets that FAT BARREL wines are sold. ... back