Big Tattoo Wines: Dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness and Charitable Giving.

SPRINGFIELD, Va. -- Childhood Cancer Month... Breast Cancer Awareness Month... Hospice Awareness Month...the fall season is filled with organizations creating awareness and many companies rise to the occasion, doing their part to raise funds for these worthwhile causes. Among them is Big Tattoo Wines, which is focused on causes such as these not only during the designated months, but 365 days a year.

Born as a tribute and raised on philanthropy, the Big Tattoo Wines project is the result of the collaboration between brothers Erik and Alex Bartholomaus. The pair lost their mother, Liliana S. Bartholomaus to cancer in the 2000. Following her death, the two decided to do something to honor her memory and, following her lifetime example, to help others. Big Tattoo Wines was born.

"The Big Tattoo project focuses on giving back to the community and helping great organizations do more for people in need. It is very heartwarming, year after year, to see how many people we've been able to reach with our donations. Our mother would be very proud of this success," said Alex Bartholomaus.

The original wine, Big Tattoo Red, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah sourced from Liliana's native country of Chile, was released in 2002 dawning a label designed by Erik, a tattoo artist. Alex, the president and C.E.O of Springfield, Virginia based Billington Wines traveled to Chile to create the blend.

The goal of the project was to donate 50 cents per bottle sold to local charities that helped Liliana during her battle with cancer - charities such as Capital Hospice in Arlington, Virginia. The first vintage raised more than $40,000 in charitable donations. Gradually, the project grew, and today includes six wines, three under the label of Big Tattoo and three under the reserve level label, 2 Brothers. As the portfolio grew, so too did the mission, expanding to reach local charities benefiting the communities where the wines are sold. As of July 2007, the project has raised more than $1 million for more than 70 charitable organizations across the United States.

Big Tattoo Wines, a partnership between brothers Erik and Alex Bartholomaus, began in 2002 as a way to raise funds for charity in memory of their mother, Liliana S. Bartholomaus. Fifty cents from every bottle of Big Tattoo sold is donated in their mother's name to charity, with a portion benefiting the community where the wine is sold. Due to the success of the original Big Tattoo Red, the Big Tattoo project has expanded to include six different wines available in restaurants and retailers nationwide. By 2007, over 70 charities in approximately 33 states have benefited from the more than $1 million raised. For more information, visit www.bigtattoowines.com.