In the words of Scott Monette, “There is never a bad day in the wine business.” It’s a remark he can stand behind, having been in the business since founding the label 100 Percent Wine in 2014. Business travel involves ‘work’ like spending a few days in Lodi, California, to taste numerous varieties from an award-winning winemaker. But Monette’s career didn’t always revolve around reds and whites—and, to be honest, along with the perks come many days with long hours and hard work, all to fulfill a mission very near to his heart.
Formerly the CFO for Ralcorp Holdings, Monette made the decision to retire from corporate America shortly after the company was sold in 2013. His reasons were much deeper than just travel and relaxation. His son Matt, now 21, is living with a disability (the family moved here from Kansas City years ago so he could attend Central Institute for the Deaf) and as he got older, Monette was faced with the stark realization that there were few unemployment opportunities for this large group of people. “In Missouri, assistance services from the school district stop at age 21, so families have these great safety nets of teachers, parent professionals and therapists, and then it all just goes away,” he says.
His research showed that 57 million Americans are living with a disability, and it’s the largest and fastest growing majority in the country. “Two-thirds of them are not working, not even a part-time job!” He was disheartened by the lack of momentum for change and came up with an idea to approach the problem in a positive, uplifting way: through wine. “Wine is about celebration and bringing people together,” Monette says. “I had never started a business before or built a brand, but I wanted to do something that would initiate conversation that otherwise might not happen. I wanted to do what I could to put this population in front of people and ultimately change the economic process.”
His idea became a reality with the help of a friend in the wine business, who gave him the name of a winery owner in California’s Lodi Appellation. The lady had not agreed to work with anyone before, but she thought my idea was so unique, she ‘gave’ me one of her winemakers, Karen Birmingham,” he says. Birmingham, who also has a family member in this population, has been in the business for almost 30 years. “She knows her stuff and has won countless awards,” Monette notes. “A lot of times, if you put the umbrella of a charitable endeavor around a product, there is a view that it will be poor quality. People don’t want bad wine! So I made sure the bottles related that this truly is a quality bottle of wine.”
It’s easy to see how the name originated once you know the details: 100 percent of the profits are given to charities that help those with disabilities find sustainable employment. “I don’t have a marketing bone in my body, but the double meaning of the label didn’t escape me,” Monette jokes. “One hundred represents both a perfect bottle of wine and the percentage we give away.”
They started out selling Sauvignon Blanc and a red blend, and added Moscato last July. “Our blend is our everyday red wine around the house,” he says. “We’ve been drinking more Pinot noirs lately, and since they are the hot place to be right now, I’m researching them.” ‘Research’ is all part of it since he wants to continue growing the product line. “Chardonnay will probably be our next stop,” Monette says.
The label can be found at Total Wine, Costco, Whole Foods, Straub’s and 25 Schnucks in the metro area, as well as on the wine list of numerous local restaurants. Monette recently expanded into Illinois with hopes to add Tennessee and Kansas.
Does Matt help with the business? “He and I will be delivering some wine together this afternoon to Venture Cafe, which has been really supportive,” Monette says, adding that now that he’s of legal age, Matt can help in other areas as well! “It’s really been a good response,” he notes. “The more I’m out in the community, talking to people, the more I’m assured of the fundamental belief in humanity. This is a good message with a good product.”
