Purple Cowboy
In 2004, Terry Wheatley, wine industry executive and matriarch of a professional rodeo cowboy and ranching family, had a crazy idea. It was the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Terry, a recent breast cancer survivor, wanted to enlist the cowboys and cowgirls to raise awareness about the disease. She convinced her son Wade, who was competing in team roping, and his fellow competitors to wear pink on one night of the rodeo.
“Cowboys are tough,” she explained, “but like everyone else, they are profoundly affected by breast cancer when it strikes a family member.”
To date, over 24 million dollars has been raised and a goal has been set for $50 million by the 20th Anniversary of Tough Enough To Wear Pink in 2024. Funds raised stay in local communities to support early detection, treatment and family needs and to international research for a cure through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Purple Cowboy wines were created by Terry Wheatley. When she first started out in the wine business, she was told of a group of rodeo-riding, winemaking cowboys who drank so much wine their teeth turned to purple. They were known as the “Band of the Purple Cowboys.” Terry vowed someday to make a wine dedicated to their independent spirit. Purple Cowboy has been a proud sponsor of Tough Enough To Wear Pink since the brand was launched in 2008.
“What better way to support Tough Enough To Wear Pink than with a wine inspired by cowboys and the western community.” Explained Terry. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each bottle of Purple Cowboy wines—Tenacious Red Blend, Trail Boss Cabernet Sauvignon and Rancher’s Reserve Rosé, go back to Tough Enough To Wear Pink.
Wines Produced
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Red Blend
- Zinfandel
