Wine Importing and Marketing Services

‘Producing Delicious Wines Takes Hard Work,’ Says Joseph Carr of Josh Cellars, American Winery of the Year | Wine Enthusiast’s 2021 Wine Star Awards

Photo courtesy Josh Cellars

Analyzing the trajectory of Josh Cellars, a California wine company founded in 2007, it’s hard to imagine another brand growing faster with greater success. Joseph Carr started Josh Cellars with one wine, sold from the back of his truck. Now, Josh Cellars produces more than four million cases per year.

In today’s competitive global market, such an achievement remains rare.

“Josh Cellars’ growth trajectory has been very impressive” says Lloyd Sobel, chief commercial officer at Breakthru Beverage Group. Sobel points to the brand’s “exciting digital platform, relevant innovation and fantastic story” as pillars of its market success.

The story of the brand, however, started with modest ambition. Carr wanted to pay homage to his father Josh Carr, a veteran and volunteer firefighter. He started with 1,200 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon in 2009, eventually adding a Josh Cellars Chardonnay. Josh Cellars soon became one of America’s fastest growing wine brands.

Carr attributes his success to his hardworking father.

“The commitment and values my dad instilled in me inspired me to make Josh Cellars,” says Carr. “Producing delicious wines takes hard work, but my dad wouldn’t have had it any other way.”