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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

/X/ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2002
OR

/ / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                            to                             

Commission file number 1-14305


GOLDEN STATE VINTNERS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware   77-0412761
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

607 Airpark Road, Napa, California 94558

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (707) 254-4900

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

Name of each exchange on which registered: The Nasdaq National Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None


        Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES /x/    NO / /

        Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. /x/

        The aggregate market value of the Class B Common Stock of the Registrant held by non-affiliates of the Registrant on September 25, 2002, based on the closing sales price of the Class B Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq on such date was $9,138,605. All of the shares of Class A Common Stock of the Registrant are held by affiliates of the Registrant.

        The number of shares of the Registrant's Class A and Class B Common Stock outstanding as of September 25, 2002 was 4,342,528 and 5,170,459 shares, respectively.





PART I

        This Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2002 (the "Form 10-K") contains "forward-looking statements," as defined under Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical information or statements of current condition and relate to future events or the future financial performance of the Company. Some forward-looking statements may be identified by use of such terms as "believes," "anticipates," "intends" or "expects." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company's actual results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Item 1.    Business.

Introduction

        The Company is a Delaware corporation formed in 1995 for the purpose of acquiring and holding for investment all of the outstanding capital stock of Golden State Vintners, a California corporation. The Company is one of the largest suppliers of premium bulk wines, wine processing and storage services, and case goods in the United States. Management believes that the Company is a contract supplier of choice for many of the leading branded wineries in California because of its reputation for quality and service, extensive vineyard holdings, strategically located facilities and ability to tailor a full range of products and services to meet the particular needs of its customers.

        The Company provides a broad range of high quality winemaking and processing services, barrel fermentation and bottling and storage services to many of the largest branded wineries in California and to a number of international wineries and customers. The Company supplies premium bulk wine pursuant to long-term supply agreements with Constellation Brands, Inc. ("Constellation"), Diageo, Trinchero Family Estates ("Trinchero"), Fetzer Vineyards ("Fetzer"), Beringer Blass Wine Estates ("Beringer") and other wineries. The Company also delivers contract wine processing, barrel fermentation and storage services under contracts with, among others, Robert Mondavi ("Mondavi"), Seagram Chateau and Estate Wines ("Seagram"), and Villa Mt. Eden Winery. The Company also sells wine grapes, predominantly to EJ Gallo Winery ("Gallo").

        GSV provides custom winemaking and bottling services for a number of clients, such as C.A. Warren, JC Boisset USA ("Boisset"), Wines Ltd. LLC, Safeway, Inc., Trader Joe's Company and Erwal Wein AG. In fiscal 2002, the Company derived approximately 16% of its revenues from the sale of bulk wine and case goods to customers outside of the United States. The Company also supplies brandy (a distilled derivative of wine) primarily to a single customer pursuant to a long-term agreement and is one of the largest brandy producers in the United States. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001, the Company completed construction of a high-speed bottling line to provide custom bottling services for malt-based alcoholic beverages.

        The combination of GSV's extensive vineyard holdings and six strategically located facilities has enabled the Company to become what management believes is one of California's preferred providers of premium bulk wine and related services. The Company's 6,843 producing acres of vineyard properties primarily in California's San Joaquin Valley allow the Company to source high quality wine grapes at a competitive cost. The Company's wine processing facilities are generally modern, efficient and automated, and allow for large scale, low-cost production of premium bulk wine and case goods and the delivery of a full line of winemaking, processing and storage services. Over the last six years, the Company has greatly expanded its presence in the California wine industry by acquiring vineyards and wine and brandy processing facilities and effectively integrating these assets into GSV's winemaking operations.

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Fiscal 2002 Revenues
(dollars in millions)

         LOGO

Company Operations

        The Company's operations include the following: bulk wine and related services, grape sales, case goods and related services and brandy. Bulk wine and related services includes the production and sale of bulk wine, custom crushing services, storage of bulk wine in tanks and barrels and bulk wine barreling services, such as racking and topping. The Company's grape sales consist of the sale of grapes grown at the Company's vineyards as well as grapes purchased by the Company from third party growers. Case goods and related services includes the production of proprietary and private label bottled wine, wine-related and malt-based alcoholic beverage custom bottling and storage services. The Company's brandy business includes the production of brandy and grape spirits and brandy barrel storage and related barreling services.

Bulk Wine and Related Services

        The Company generates a majority of its revenues from the sale of premium bulk wine and the delivery of a broad range of wine processing, barrel fermentation and storage services to its branded winery customers.

        The Company sells premium bulk wine to a number of the largest branded wineries in California, including Constellation, Diageo, Mondavi, Trinchero, and Fetzer and to a number of international customers, including Les Grands Chais de France and Zimmerman-Graeff & Mueller GMBH & Co. ("Zimmerman"). The Company's standard bulk wine supply contract establishes the variety of wine, source of grapes and vintage and generally calls for the delivery of a set number of gallons of wine or processed grape juice at an agreed upon price per ton of grapes. The Company supplies, crushes and processes the grapes and typically stores the wine for six months or more following production. Winemaking standards are usually agreed to by the parties in advance. GSV generally guarantees the quality of the wine produced. Delivery of bulk wine is usually F.O.B. the particular GSV winery.

        In fiscal 2002, approximately 94% of the grapes grown at the Company's vineyards were used internally for the production of bulk wine and brandy. Additionally, the Company purchases grapes in the marketplace in order to meet the needs of its bulk wine and brandy customers. The Company typically buys grapes from numerous growers pursuant to a variety of short-term, long-term, and evergreen grape purchase contracts entered into prior to grape harvest. Additionally, after analyzing anticipated grape yields and grape prices during a harvest, the Company sometimes elects to purchase needed grapes on the spot market.

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        The Company produces more than half of its bulk wine at its wine processing facility in Fresno, which has the capacity to handle approximately 100,000 tons of grapes annually (the equivalent of 7.2 million cases), and is used primarily for the production of premium white and red wines. GSV also processes smaller quantities of premium bulk wine at its St. Helena, Monterey and Reedley facilities. As is customary in the industry, the Company engages the services of commissioned wine brokers to sell bulk wine and services.

        The Company also delivers various wine processing, barrel fermentation and storage services mostly under long-term contracts. GSV is flexible with respect to providing these services and customizes its products and services to meet the unique needs of its customers. The Company offers a number of processing and storage services, including crushing grapes, wine production, fermentation and storage in stainless steel tanks and oak barrels and other winemaking services. Under a typical wine processing and storage contract, a wine processing customer will deliver grapes for crushing, fermentation and storage in separately labeled tanks or barrels.

Wine Grape Sales

        Approximately 94% of Company grown grapes for the 2001 harvest were retained by the Company for internal use in the production of bulk wine, brandy and case goods in the 2002 fiscal year; an increase from 73% in fiscal 2001. Thus, revenues from grape sales to third parties declined significantly in GSV's 2002 fiscal year. The Company believes its internal use of grapes is a potentially more profitable allocation of the Company's resources. Certain of the Company's grape purchase contracts require GSV to purchase the entire grape production of a number of small vineyards. Thus, the Company may purchase varieties of grapes in excess of quantities required in its production of bulk wine. The Company may resell these grapes into the market at approximate market prices.

        A long-term contract with Gallo covering certain Ruby Cabernet grapes continues through 2007. This contract requires the Company to deliver grapes meeting specified sugar levels and other quality measurements. Revenues under this contract were approximately $344,000 or 14.6% of wine grape revenues in fiscal 2002.

Case Goods and Related Services

        The Company produces proprietary and private label products and provides custom bottling and storage services. These case goods sales are comprised of wine bottled and sold in a case containing twelve 750ml bottles, or the volume equivalent. The Company produced more than 1.3 million cases of wine and wine related products and services in its 2002 fiscal year and approximately 5.8 million cases (2.25 gallons per case) of ready-to-drink product.

        Private Label Case Goods.    The sale of private label case goods may include any or all of the various steps in the winemaking process, from the purchase and processing of grapes, aging and storage of wine to the bottling and labeling of the finished product. The majority of the Company's private label case goods revenues in fiscal 2002 were derived from three customers based on short-term arrangements that may terminate at any time. Private label case goods are produced and bottled at the Company's St. Helena and American Canyon facilities.

        Proprietary and Control Brands.    The Company sells proprietary wine products under a variety of brands in the generic and premium wine categories. Generally, the Company's J. Wile, Summerfield and Weston brands sell in the popular premium category, the Company's Monthaven, and Diamond Grove labels compete in the superpremium category and the Company's Edgewood Estate label is sold in the ultrapremium category. The Company's proprietary wines include different types of premium varietal wines, including vintage Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot and Zinfandel. Many of the Company's proprietary wines are produced, processed and/or bottled at the Company's American Canyon and St.

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Helena wineries. The Company's proprietary products are sold primarily through third party distributors and directly to specific wine and general merchandise retailers.

        The Company also offers its proprietary brands to retailers, such as large supermarket chains, for sale on an exclusive basis in certain defined geographic regions. The terms of the exclusive arrangements for these "control brands" vary from customer to customer and are negotiated directly with retailers, rather than through wine wholesalers.

        Ready to Drink Bottling.    The Company completed construction and installation of a high-speed bottling line in the fourth quarter of its 2001 fiscal year at a cost of approximately $10 million. This line, located at the Reedley facility, provides custom bottling services for malt-based alcoholic beverages.

Brandy

        Brandy is produced by processing grapes into wine, distilling the wine and aging the product in oak barrels for a minimum of two years until the product can be declared as brandy. The Company is among the largest brandy processors in the United States and has a long-term brandy production agreement to produce brandy for sale under the Christian Brothers label owned by Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. ("Heaven Hill"). Under the terms of this agreement, GSV is paid for all aspects of the brandy distillation process, including the purchase of grapes, storage and various processing charges. The Company also produces brandy for other customers.

International

        Approximately 16% of the Company's revenues in its 2002 fiscal year were derived from the sale of wine and wine products internationally. The Company exports bulk wine and case goods to Canada, Europe and Asia.

Winemaking Facilities

        The Company's five winemaking, distilling and processing facilities are located in Fresno, Monterey, Napa and Tulare counties and are adjacent to primary grape growing and winemaking regions in California.

        The table below identifies key statistics for each of the Company's facilities for the 2001 harvest, as reflected in the Company's fiscal year 2002 operations.


Production at The Company's Winemaking Facilities

Facility Name

  Tons of Grapes Crushed
  Case Equivalent(1)
  Gallons of Cooperage Capacity(2)
 
   
  (In millions)

Fresno   93,000   6.6   21.6
Cutler(3)       15.9
Reedley   50,000   3.6 (4) 17.4
Monterey   27,000   1.9   8.6
Napa Valley   1,800   .1   1.1
   
 
 
  Total   171,800   12.2   64.6
   
 
 

(1)
It is industry custom to convert one ton of wine grapes into 170 gallons of wine, and to convert gallons of wine into cases of twelve 750ml bottles at the rate of 2.3775 gallons per case.
(2)
Generally 240 gallons of cooperage are required to store one ton of crushed grapes. Additionally, GSV and its customers have storage requirements for product aging and use cycles. Management believes the Company's annual practical crush capacity is between 215,000 to 230,000 tons, based on available cooperage at the beginning of the crush season.
(3)
The Cutler facility was used solely as a storage facility for Company and customer bulk wine for the 2001 harvest and anticipates the same utilization for the 2002 harvest.
(4)
A majority of grapes processed at Reedley were distilled into brandy and grape spirits.

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        Fresno.    The Company's Fresno winery is situated on six acres within the Company's 2,600 acre Fresno vineyard and is located approximately 10 miles southwest of the city of Fresno. The Fresno winery serves as the Company's bulk wine processing center for varietal white wines, including Chardonnay and White Zinfandel and varietal red wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

        Cutler.    The Company's Cutler facility is the original GSV winery and is located on approximately 120 acres in Tulare County north of the town of Visalia. The Cutler winery currently serves as a bulk wine storage center.

        Reedley.    The Company's Reedley facility is located on a 296-acre parcel in southern Fresno County, northwest of the town of Reedley. The Company uses the Reedley facility primarily for the production and storage of brandy and custom bottling of malt-liquor based products. Additionally, the Reedley facility produces red, white, barrel fermented and dessert wines. The Company completed the installation of a ready-to-drink bottling line in the Spring of 2001 at a cost of approximately $10 million. This line provides custom bottling of malt-based alcoholic beverage products to several customers.

        Monterey.    The Monterey winery is located on 81 acres in the town of Soledad, in Monterey County, near California's central coast wine region. The Company uses the winery primarily for custom processing of small lots of superpremium and ultrapremium white and red wines for GSV's wine processing customers and GSV's bottling programs.

        Napa Valley Winery.    The Company's Napa Valley winery in St. Helena occupies approximately 22 acres and is located in the town of St. Helena fronting Highway 29, in Napa Valley. The Napa Valley winery produces primarily superpremium and ultrapremium white and red wines for a number of the leading branded wineries in California. A portion of the Company's proprietary and private label case goods are produced and bottled at the Napa Valley winery although such bottling operations are being transferred solely to the American Canyon facility.

        Napa Valley Warehouse.    The Company uses the Napa Valley warehouse for third-party oak barrel storage and related services. The Napa Valley warehouse has a 24,000-barrel storage capacity, which was virtually full in fiscal 2001 and 2002.

        American Canyon (Napa).    During September 2001, the Company entered into a long-term lease agreement for a new building in Napa County. The building is approximately 150,000 square feet of which approximately 100,000 square feet is utilized for proprietary and private label case goods production and storage that commenced in the Spring of 2002. The remaining 50,000 square feet is used for third-party barrel storage and related services. The Company is a member of the limited liability company, SDG/Commerce 201, LLC, ("LLC") the lessor of the American Canyon property. The Company has the right to earn an equity interest in the LLC under certain conditions.

Vineyard Operations

        The Company owns more than 8,500 acres of vineyard properties, of which 6,843 acres are permanently planted as of June 30, 2002. The table below identifies the name of each of the Company's vineyards and the acres of wine grapes at each vineyard.

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The Company's Vineyard Properties

Vineyard Name

  County Location
  Approximate Acres Planted
 
Fresno Vineyard   Fresno   2,627  
Gravelly Ford Vineyard   Madera   1,458  
Lost Hills Vineyard   Kern   1,410 (1)
Cawelo Vineyard   Kern   661  
Mazzie Vineyard   Kern   619  
Monterey Vineyard   Monterey   54  
St. Helena Vineyard   Napa   14 (2)
       
 
  Total       6,843  
       
 

(1)
The Company entered into an agreement at August 2, 2002 to sell this vineyard. The sale will be effective after the 2002 harvest.

(2)
Vineyards under development.

        Grape Production.    The following table shows GSV's net vine production by grape variety from the 1997 to 2002 harvest years and the total grape tonnage produced by GSV following each grape harvest. Information regarding the Company's 2002 harvest is not yet available, however management believes that the 2002 harvest will approximate historical per acre yields.


Net Production Acres Owned by GSV and Tons Produced

 
  Net Production Acres

   
Grape Variety

   
  1997
  1998
  1999
  2000
  2001
  2002
  Proforma(3)
French Colombard (1)   2,965   2,965   2,965   2,868   2,868   2,522   2,522
Zinfandel (1)(2)   1,211   1,211   1,211   836   836   645   317
Chardonnay (1)(2)   1,124   1,124   1,124   1,060   907   763   93
Ruby Cabernet   941   941   1,089   1,089   1,089   1,089   1,089
Merlot (1)(2)   687   687   687   687   687   562   150
Barbera   379   379   379   379   379   379   379
Carnelian   344   344   344   344   344   344   344
Chenin Blanc (1)   313   313   313   261   261   153   153
Other (1)   416   416   416   425   499   372   372
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Total Net Production Acres   8,380   8,380   8,528   7,949   7,870   6,829   5,419
  Total Tons Produced   88,209   84,122   67,108   84,255   76,612        

(1)
194 acres of French Colombard and 144 acres of Chardonnary were removed in Spring 2002. In addition, 191 acres of Zinfandel, 152 acres of French Colombard, 127 acres of Grenache, 125 acres of Merlot and 108 acres of Chenin Blanc were sold in Spring 2002.

(2)
670 acres of Chardonnay, 412 acres of Merlot and 328 acres of Zinfandel of the Lost Hills Vineyard are to be sold per a sales agreement dated August 2, 2002. The sale will be effective after the 2002 harvest.

(3)
Acreage after effect of (2) above.

        Typically, the Company's mature vineyards yield approximately 9.5 tons per acre. Management believes that the 2002 harvest will approximate normal yields.

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        In Spring 2002, the Company sold approximately 700 acres of vineyards located in Fresno County realizing a gain of approximately $1.0 million included in wine grape cost of sales. The property collateralized long-term debt and the lender required the proceeds of $3.1 million to be applied to loan principal and to a prepayment penalty of $363,000.

        In August 2002, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the entire Lost Hills Vineyard. An asset impairment reserve was recognized of approximately $1.9 million included in wine grape cost of sales in fiscal 2002 to reflect the anticipated loss on this sale. This loss was partially offset by a reversal of a contingent note payable to a related party of approximately $0.9 million also included in wine grape cost of sales.

        In the Company's 2001 and 2002 fiscal years, the Company removed approximately 150 and 340 acres of underperforming vineyards (together representing approximately six percent of the Company's total vineyard assets), resulting in a $0.3 and a $0.8 million charge, respectively, to wine grape cost of sales.

        Viticultural Practices.    The Company's vineyards and vineyard operations benefit from above-average soil quality and the availability of an economical and dependable supply of high quality water. The large, contiguous vineyards are almost entirely machine harvested. Management believes the Company's farming and harvesting costs per acre of vineyard are in line with the average per acre farming cost of California Central Valley vineyards. Short-term needs such as pruning, fertilizing, pesticide spraying and harvesting are contracted to multiple service providers.

        Water Supply.    The Company's Fresno, Gravelly Ford, Mazzie, Cawelo and Monterey Vineyards benefit from deep aquifers that provide relatively inexpensive water sources. The Company irrigates these vineyards from wells located on or near these properties. The quality of the water obtained from the wells is good. The Company's Lost Hills Vineyard relies upon area district-supplied water, which is allocated among surrounding properties and uses. During fiscal 2001, the Company was notified by the Lost Hills and Cawelo Water Districts, in Kern County, that normal water supplies would be reduced by fifty to eighty percent. The Company has located supplemental water supplies through additional purchases made by these water districts as well as through ground water supplies. The Company has entered into an agreement to sell its Lost Hills Vineyard, to be effective after the 2002 harvest. The Company believes its sources of water will be available and sufficient for the foreseeable future, but various factors such as drought or contamination could adversely affect the Company's water supply.

        Agricultural Hazards.    Grape production is subject to many risks common to agriculture that can materially and adversely affect the quality and quantity of grapes produced. These hazards include, among other things, adverse weather such as drought, frost, excessive rain, excessive heat or prolonged periods of cold weather during the growing season. These weather conditions can materially and adversely affect the quality and quantity of grapes produced by the Company.

        Vineyards are also susceptible to certain diseases, insects and pests, which can increase farming expenses, reduce yields or kill vines. In the last ten years phylloxera, a louse that feeds on the roots of grape vines, has infested many vineyards in the wine grape producing regions of California and caused grape yields to decrease. Within a few years of the initial infestation, phylloxera can leave a vine entirely unproductive. Phylloxera infestation has been widespread in California, particularly in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Monterey Counties, and most of the other wine grape producing areas of the state are affected to some degree. As a result of this widespread problem, thousands of vineyard acres throughout California have been replanted with phylloxera-resistant rootstock or, in some cases, taken out of production completely.

        In 1997, GSV discovered a phylloxera infestation in certain acres of the Company's vineyards in Fresno county. The Company believes that the lighter, sandy, porous soil in its Fresno, Madera and Kern County vineyards (representing 99% of the Company's planted acres), as compared to the heavier, clay-like soil in more northern regions such as Napa and Sonoma Counties, hinders the growth and spread

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of phylloxera. Additionally, high soil temperatures and vine vigor in the Central and Southern San Joaquin Valley mitigate root damage that can be caused by phylloxera. The grape production from the Company's phylloxera-infested acres in the 2000 harvest did not evidence lower yields than in other, unaffected acres. Thus, the Company does not believe phylloxera will have a material adverse effect on vineyard operations and production, though there can be no assurances phylloxera will not adversely affect the Company's future harvests.

        In recent years the Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter ("GWSS") has emerged as an efficient vector of Pierce's disease. Pierce's disease is a serious threat to wine grapes and combined with large GWSS populations can destroy vineyards over a several year period. The GWSS has been discovered in low populations throughout many of California's grape regions. A number of vineyards in a small grape growing region in Southern California have been destroyed by Pierce's disease. The Company has engaged a consultant to monitor the pest and advise regarding the latest research developments. To date the GWSS has not been found on Company vineyards and the Company believes there is no immediate Pierce's threat. While the grape industry is hopeful the spread of Pierce's disease can be controlled, an infestation of Company vineyards would have a materially adverse effect on Company operations and profitability.

        Other pests that may infest vineyards include leafhoppers, thrips, nematodes, mites, insects, orange tortrix and various grapevine diseases, such as Pierce's disease, which has destroyed portions of a number of vineyards in Southern California and elsewhere. Pesticides and the selection of resistant rootstocks reduce losses from these pests, but do not eliminate the risk of such loss. Gophers, rabbits, deer and birds can also pose a problem for vineyards, and wine grapevines are also susceptible to certain viral infections which may cause reduction of yields. The presence of potentially harmful nematodes in relatively high numbers has been detected in certain acres of the Company's vineyards. The Company has countered the infestation with improved irrigation management and soil fertilization. The Company believes none of these infestations or infections currently pose a major threat to the Company's vineyards, although they could do so in the future.

        Environmental Matters.    The Company's vineyard operations require the periodic usage of various chemical herbicides, fungicides and pesticides, some of which contain hazardous or toxic substances. The usage and storage of these chemicals are, to varying degrees, subject to federal and state regulation. Additionally, all winemaking and distilling operations are subject to strict water quality control regulations.

Competition

        The markets in which the Company operates are highly competitive and are dominated by companies with substantially greater financial, production, personnel and other resources than the Company. In the area of bulk wine production and processing, the Company competes primarily with JFJ Bronco and Delicato Winery, as well as a number of smaller companies. The Company's proprietary label case goods compete with the products of branded wineries and with other alcoholic and, to a lesser degree, nonalcoholic beverages in the retail stores where the Company's case goods products are sold and in the beverage marketplace in general.

        The Company also experiences competition from its current and potential customers. There are an estimated 800 commercial wineries that produce and market California wine, although, according to Gomberg, Fredrikson and Associates ("Fredrikson"), a wine industry consulting firm, nine wineries accounted for approximately 58% of California wine sales, based on total volume of California wine shipments in calendar 2001. Certain major wineries, including many of the Company's customers, grow a significant amount of the grapes they need to make wine and produce wine for their own branded labels.

        Numerous wine producers in Europe, South America, South Africa and Australia also compete with GSV by exporting their wine into the United States. Most imports are bottled wines; however, some wineries have imported bulk wine for bottling and sale in the United States. According to Fredrikson, bulk

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table wine imports into the United States for these purposes increased from approximately 3.5 million gallons in calendar 2000 to approximately 3.6 million gallons in calendar 2001.

        The Company does not believe that it faces a significant domestic competitive threat from new entrants into the wine grape growing and wine production markets due to the substantial capital investments and lengthy start-up periods involved in the development of productive vineyards and winemaking facilities and the establishment of customer relationships. Rather, the expansion of the Company's current competitors and the entry of the Company's customers into the bulk wine business pose a more significant long-term competitive concern for the Company.

Customers

        The Company provides premium bulk wine pursuant to long-term supply agreements to wineries such as Constellation, Diageo, Trinchero, and Fetzer and sells wine grapes to Gallo and others pursuant to long-term grape purchase contracts. C.A. Warren, Boisset, Wines, Ltd. LLC, Safeway, Inc., and Trader Joe's were among the Company's private label case goods customers in fiscal 2002. The Company also provides various wine processing services for Mondavi, Constellation and Diageo, among other wineries, and brandy distillation and production for Heaven Hill. The Company sells bulk wine internationally to IWS, Les Grands Chais de France, and Zimmerman, among other wineries.

Government Regulation

        The wine industry is subject to extensive regulation by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, various foreign agencies and state and local liquor authorities. These regulations and laws dictate such matters as licensing requirements, trade and pricing practices, permitted distribution channels, permitted and required labeling, advertising restrictions and relations with wholesalers and retailers. Expansion of the Company's existing facilities and development of new vineyards and wineries may be limited by present and future zoning ordinances, environmental restrictions and other legal requirements. In addition, new regulations or requirements or increases in excise taxes, sales taxes or international tariffs, could materially adversely affect the financial results of the Company.

Trademarks

        The Company's trademarks include the following proprietary labels: Edgewood Estate, Monthaven Coastal, Diamond Grove, Summerfield, Weston, Cutler Creek, Butterfield Station, Belford Springs, Pacific Peak and Harbinger.

Employees

        As of June 30, 2002, the Company had approximately 260 full-time equivalent employees. The Company believes that its employee relations are good. GSV also employs seasonal labor for wine processing services and other related tasks, primarily during the late summer and early fall months and contract labor through independent sources as needed for vineyard development, pruning and harvesting.

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RISK FACTORS

        In evaluating the Company, its business, operations and financial position, the following risk factors should be carefully considered, in addition to the other information contained in this Form 10-K. The following factors, among others, could affect the Company's actual future operating results and could cause such results to differ from the results discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

Much of Our Revenues Are Derived From Only a Few Customers, the Loss of Any One of Which Would Harm Our Business

        During fiscal 2002, five of our customers accounted for approximately 49% of our revenues, with Constellation and Diageo accounting for approximately 17% and 13%, respectively. While some of our largest customers have entered into some form of long-term contract with us, there can be no assurance that each of these relationships will continue following the expiration of these contracts or that the volume of business we are currently conducting with such customers will continue at such levels. The loss of any one of our major customers or a significant reduction in the sales prices or volume of their business with us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See "Recent Developments" in Management's Discussion and Analysis where we discuss current issues with two of our customers.

Loss of a Major Bulk Wine Customer Could Adversely Affect Our Operations

        Bulk wine and related services accounted for approximately 52% of our revenues in fiscal 2002. We continue to provide resources for expanding this portion of our business. Any loss of a major bulk wine customer could reduce our bulk wine revenues, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See "Recent Developments" in Management's Discussion and Analysis where we discuss a current issue with one of our bulk wine customers.

Decreasing Amounts of Our Bulk Wine Revenues Are Derived From Long-Term Contracts

        During fiscal 2001, approximately 11.7 million gallons were sold under long-term contracts. In fiscal 2002, approximately 10.0 million gallons were sold under long-term contracts. As a result of our decreasing reliance on long-term contracts, our ability to accurately predict our future revenues, required inventory levels and the volume of our business has declined. Furthermore, our operating expenses are relatively fixed and cannot be reduced on short notice to compensate for unanticipated variation in the demand of bulk wine and related services. As a result, any termination, significant reduction or modification of our business relationships with any of our significant customers, or with a number of smaller customers, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Decreased Customer Demand for Our RTD Bottling Unit Could Adversely Affect Our Business

        Our new ready-to-drink ("RTD") bottling unit did not meet originally anticipated profit levels for fiscal 2002 due, in part, to lower than expected customer demand. In addition, the largest of our three RTD customers exercised a termination provision in its contract and paid us $1.4 million in September 2002 in lieu of further RTD production services. We are actively pursuing alternative customer arrangements to replace the revenues lost as a result of this customer's termination. If we are unable to locate new RTD customers, or if we fail to retain our existing RTD customers, the resulting loss or decrease in RTD revenues could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation. In addition, assets utilized in our RTD operations could be subject to impairment reserves should minimum profitability requirements not be achieved. See "Recent Developments" in Management's Discussion and Analysis.

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Decreased Demand for Our Case Goods Could Harm Our Business

        Sales of case goods and related services accounted for approximately 33% of revenues in fiscal 2002. A significant portion of our case goods revenues consists of short-term private label case goods sales. Additionally, our higher margin proprietary case goods revenues resulted from sales of our relatively unknown proprietary brands of premium wines. Any significant increase in the supply of premium wine in the California wine market that is not met by a corresponding demand could adversely affect our case goods sales. See "Recent Developments" in Management's Discussion and Analysis where we discuss the effect of reduced demand in our case goods business.

Wine Grape and Bulk Wine Price Declines Would Harm Our Business

        Recent developments resulted in oversupply and declining prices for certain wine grapes and bulk wine categories, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Such developments include (1) plantings of new vineyards, (2) yield enhancements through technological advances and (3) denser plantings of vines. Anticipated high levels of grape production will continue to exert pressure on our bulk wine sales volume and margins. As a result, we may experience lower than expected revenues and increased inventories which would materially adversely affect our business and future results. See "Recent Developments" in Management's Discussion and Analysis where we discuss the effect of current difficulties in the bulk wine market on our business.

A Decrease in Customer Spending Would Harm Our Business

        The growth of the wine industry and the success of our business depend to a significant extent on a number of factors relating to discretionary consumer spending, including the general condition of the economy, general levels of consumer confidence, federal, state and local taxation, and the deductibility of business entertainment expenses under federal and state tax laws. The current economic downturn both in the U.S. and abroad could adversely affect discretionary consumer spending generally, or purchases of wine specifically, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. Current market pressures could negatively impact our lower of cost or market reserves for inventories. In addition, reduced sales could result in increased inventories on hand and possible deterioration of inventory quality.

Decreased Cash Flow Could Limit Our Ability to Service Our Debt

        As a result of incurring debt, we are subject to the risks normally associated with debt financing, including the risk that cash flow from operations will be insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest. Our ability to satisfy our obligations to pay interest and to repay debt is dependent on our future performance. Our performance depends, in part, on prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, including factors beyond our control. To the extent we use a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness, that cash flow will not be available to fund future operations and capital expenditures. Our debt level may also limit our ability to obtain additional financing to fund future capital expenditures, debt service, working capital and other general corporate requirements. It could also make us more vulnerable to general economic downturns and competitive pressures. We can give no assurances that our operating cash flow will be sufficient to fund our future capital expenditure and debt service requirements or to fund future operations. In addition, our debt is secured by substantially all of our assets. If we are unable to meet our debt service obligations due to adverse economic conditions, we risk the loss of some or all of our assets to foreclosure. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources" in Management's Discussion and Analysis where we discuss our existing line of credit.

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Our Debt Financing Agreements Contain Restrictive Covenants with Which We May Not Be Able to Comply

        Our existing line of credit and long-term debt financing agreements contain restrictive financial covenants. These covenants require us, among other things, to maintain specified levels of net income, working capital, tangible net worth and financial ratios. Primarily as a result of the conditions described in "Recent Developments" in Management's Discussion and Analysis, we were out of compliance as of June 30, 2002 with certain financial covenants. We received waivers of such covenants in September 2002 in addition to amendment of covenant requirements for fiscal 2003.

        Our ability to comply with restrictive financial covenants depends upon our future operating performance. Our future operating performance depends, in part, on general industry conditions and other factors beyond our control. We can give no assurance that we will be able to comply with these covenants. If we fail to comply with these covenants in the future, we may not succeed in renegotiating our debt financing agreements or otherwise obtaining relief from the covenants. If we default under some or all of our debt financial agreements, our lenders may require that we immediately repay the full outstanding amount we owe them. In such event, we may have to pursue alternative financing arrangements. If we are not in compliance with financial covenants at the end of any compliance period, our future results of operations and liquidity could be materially adversely affected.

Bad Weather, Pests and Diseases Could Adversely Affect Our Business

        Grape production is subject to a variety of agricultural risks. Extreme weather conditions can materially and adversely affect the quality and quantity of grapes produced. There can be no assurance that inclement weather in the future will not affect a substantial portion of our vineyards in any year and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

        Vineyards are also susceptible to certain diseases, insects and pests, which can increase operating expenses, reduce yields and damage or kill vines. In recent years phylloxera, a louse that feeds on and may ultimately destroy the roots of grape vines, has infested many vineyards in the wine grape producing regions of California, causing grape yields to decrease. Phylloxera infestation has been widespread in California, particularly in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Monterey Counties, where the soil and climate provide an ideal environment for the pest. As a result of this widespread infestation, thousands of vineyard acres throughout the State of California have been replanted with phylloxera-resistant rootstock or, in some cases, taken out of production completely. The cost of controlling this pest was significant to affected vineyard owners.

        Substantially all of our vineyards are planted on their own rootstock that is not phylloxera-resistant. In the fall of 1997, phylloxera was discovered in certain acres of our vineyards located in Fresno County. We believe that the scope of this phylloxera infestation is modest, though there can be no assurance in that regard. Additionally, we believe the climate, soil and water conditions in California's San Joaquin Valley slow the development of phylloxera in vineyard roots. Further, recent harvest yields from our phylloxera-infested acres were not notably lower than yields from surrounding, non-infested acreage. There can, however, be no assurance that phylloxera will not spread throughout adjoining vineyard acres, or infest any of our other vineyards which could reduce yields and require a significant investment in replanting with disease-resistant root stock, all of which would have a material adverse effect on the Company.

        In recent years the Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter ("GWSS") has emerged as an efficient vector of Pierce's disease. Pierce's disease is a serious threat to wine grapes and combined with large GWSS populations can destroy vineyards over a several year period. The GWSS has been discovered in low populations throughout many of California's grape regions. A number of vineyards in a small grape growing region in Southern California have been destroyed by Pierce's disease. We have engaged a consultant to monitor the pest and advise regarding the latest research developments. To date, the GWSS has not been found on our vineyards and we believe there is no immediate Pierce's threat. While the grape

12



industry is hopeful the spread of Pierce's disease can be controlled, an infestation of our vineyards would have a materially adverse effect on our operations and profitability.

        Other pests that may infest vineyards include leafhoppers, thrips, nematodes, mites, insects, orange tortrix and various grapevine diseases. Pesticides and the selection of resistant rootstocks reduce losses from these pests, but do not eliminate the risk of such loss. Gophers, rabbits, deer and birds can also pose a problem for vineyards, and wine grapevines are also susceptible to certain viral infections which may cause reduction of yields. In addition, the presence of potentially harmful nematodes in relatively high numbers has been detected in certain acres of our vineyards. While we believe that none of these infestations or infections currently poses a major threat to our vineyards, they could do so in the future and could subject our vineyards to severe damage, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.

Intense Competition in the Wine Industry Could Adversely Affect Our Business

        The wine industry is extremely competitive. We compete with several well-capitalized companies in the production of bulk wine. Further, many of our current and prospective competitors have substantially greater financial, production, personnel and other resources than us. In order to meet near-term shortfalls in supply, a number of wineries have commenced purchases of wine from foreign sources. Because of higher production costs in the United States some wineries can achieve significant cost savings, even after taking into account shipping costs, by importing bulk wine from abroad. Some countries, such as France and Australia, have launched marketing campaigns to increase their sales in the United States. Foreign competition can be expected to continue and increase. In addition, our principal winery customers compete with each other and with other wineries located in the United States, Europe, South America, South Africa and Australia. Wine also competes with other alcoholic, and to a lesser degree, nonalcoholic beverages, and to the extent wine consumers reduce consumption of wine in favor of such other beverages, demand for wine and the Company's products and services could decline.

Difficulties in Production of Bulk Wine Could Affect Our Financial Condition

        While we have substantial experience in producing and processing bulk wine, we may still experience production difficulties and delays with respect to the delivery of finished wine. We generally guarantee the quality of the wine produced, which could result in our bearing financial responsibility for wine that fails to meet agreed upon quality standards. From time to time, we have received claims from customers based on alleged defects in wine we produce. Such production difficulties could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Adverse Public Opinion About Alcohol May Harm Our Business

        In recent years there has been substantial publicity regarding the possible health benefits of moderate wine consumption. The results of a number of studies suggest that moderate consumption of wine (or other alcoholic beverages) could result in decreased mortality and other health benefits. Alternatively, anti-alcohol groups have, in the past, successfully advocated more stringent labeling requirements and other regulations designed to discourage consumption of alcoholic beverages, including wine. More restrictive regulations, negative publicity regarding alcohol consumption, publication of studies that indicate a significant health risk from moderate consumption of alcohol or changes in consumer perceptions of the relative healthfulness or safety of wine generally could adversely affect the sale and consumption of wine and the demand for wine and wine grapes and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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We Use Pesticides and Other Hazardous Substances in Our Business

        Our current operations emit ethanol and require the periodic use of various chemical herbicides, fungicides and pesticides, some of which contain hazardous or toxic substances. The emission and usage of these chemicals are, to varying degrees, subject to federal and state regulation. We believe that our properties and operations have been and continue to be in material compliance with relevant environmental regulations. At the same time, if hazardous substances are discovered to have emanated from our properties, we could be subject to material liability arising from the remediation of such potential harm. Additionally our processing operations generally require the disposal of water-based effluents. As environmental regulations tighten we cannot be assured our current waste water management practices will meet such standards.

The Seasonality of Our Business Could Cause Our Stock Price to Fluctuate

        The wine grape business is extremely seasonal and we recognize the vast majority of our revenues in the first six months of our fiscal year. We are not positioned to maximize quarter-to-quarter results, and our quarterly results should not be considered indicative of those to be expected for a full year. We recorded 64% of our revenues during the first six months of our 2002 fiscal year. We have historically operated at a loss in the last two fiscal quarters due to limited sales during such quarters. Seasonality of revenues also affects our cash flow requirements. In the past, we have borrowed funds under lines of credit from late summer through the fall to finance inventory build-up during the fall crush season. We also historically borrow funds through the spring and summer to finance crop production costs through harvest. Such seasonality in revenues and borrowings may lead to significant fluctuations in our reported quarterly results. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

Utility Supplies and Costs Could Adversely Affect Our Operations

        California has recently experienced volatility in energy costs and supply. Our operations depend on predictable sources of electricity and natural gas for efficient and cost effective performance. To ensure such sources, we have, in certain circumstances, obtained supply contracts for purchases of natural gas during the peak use period of the grape crush season. We have developed contingency plans to mitigate the effects of possible power outages and increased utility costs which include shifting certain operating processes to off-peak hours. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that our energy sources will be available on a consistent and reliable basis in the future without an adverse impact on our operations and profitability.

Because We Have Fixed Farming Costs, a Weak Harvest Would Reduce Our Profit

        We incur relatively fixed annual farming costs per vineyard acre. Revenues from grape sales and wine processing and production are not realized until harvest and vary depending upon numerous factors. Vineyard productivity varies from year to year depending upon weather and other factors, and significant variations in annual yields should be expected from time to time. Because production costs are not significantly variable in light of productivity or revenue levels, weak harvests or lower grape prices cannot be fully mitigated by cost reductions and could have an adverse effect upon our profitability.

Loss of Key Personnel Could Harm Our Operations

        We believe our continued success depends on the active involvement of Jeffrey B. O'Neill, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, and our key personnel, including John G. Kelleher, the Company's Chief Financial Officer. There can be no assurance that these persons will remain in their management positions, and the loss of the services of any of these persons could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See "Recent Developments" in Management's Discussion

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and Analysis where we discuss the departure of Mark A. Larson, the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer.

New or Changed Regulations Could Significantly Impact Our Business

        We are subject to a broad range of federal and state regulatory requirements regarding our operations and practices. These regulations are subject to change and conceivably could have a significant impact on operating practices, chemical usage and other aspects of our business. There can be no assurance that new or revised regulations pertaining to the wine grape production industry will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

        Wine production and sales are subject to extensive regulation by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control and other state, local and federal governmental authorities that regulate licensing, trade and pricing practices, labeling, advertising and other activities. In recent years, federal and state authorities have required warning labels on beverages containing alcohol. Restrictions imposed by government authorities on the sale of wine could increase the retail price of wine, which could have an adverse effect on demand for wine in general. In addition, imposition of excise or other taxes on wine could also negatively impact the wine industry by increasing wine prices for consumers. There can be no assurance that there will not be new or revised laws or regulations pertaining to the wine industry which could have a negative impact on our business.

Our Stock Price May Be Volatile

        The market price of the shares of our Class B Common Stock has declined sharply since our initial public offering in late July 1998. The market price for such shares could continue to be volatile and may be significantly affected by factors such as actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results, industry consolidation, conditions and trends in the wine industry, changes in recommendations and estimates by security analysts, general market conditions and other factors. There can be no assurance that an active trading market of our Class B Common Stock will be sustained. In addition, stock markets from time to time have experienced price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market price for many companies and that frequently have been unrelated to the operating performance of those companies. Such market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our Class B Common Stock.

        Furthermore, due to the volatility of our stock price, we could be subject to delisting from The Nasdaq National Market. To maintain the listing of our Class B Common Stock on The Nasdaq National Market, we are required to meet certain listing requirements, including a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share. The market price of our Class B Common Stock has never fallen below $1.00 per share, however, if our stock price fell below that level for an extended period, we could be subject to delisting from The Nasdaq National Market. Delisting could materially affect the market price and market liquidity of our capital stock and our ability to raise necessary capital.

Item 2.    Properties.

        The Company leases approximately 8,000 square feet for its executive corporate office in Napa, California under a sublease expiring in September 2005. The Company believes its existing executive office facility will be adequate to meet the Company's needs for the foreseeable future and that additional space will be available as needed at commercially reasonable rates.

        In September 2001, the Company entered into an agreement to lease an approximately 150,000 square foot warehouse located in American Canyon, California. The lease term is for twelve years and 6 months expiring in April, 2014. The warehouse provides for proprietary and private label case goods production and storage.

        In addition, the Company owns all of the vineyards and winemaking facilities described above under "Business—Vineyard Operations" and "—Winemaking Facilities".

Item 3.    Legal Proceedings.

        The Company is subject to litigation in the ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate outcome of existing litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition, the results of its operations or its cash flows.

Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

        None

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PART II

Item 5.    Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.

        The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for the Class B Common Stock, as reported by Nasdaq, for the periods indicated.

Fiscal year ending June 30, 2002

  High
  Low
First Quarter   $ 8.30   $ 4.83
Second Quarter   $ 5.75   $ 4.50
Third Quarter   $ 5.69   $ 3.20
Fourth Quarter   $ 4.09   $ 2.73
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2001

  High
  Low
First Quarter   $ 7.13   $ 3.66
Second Quarter   $ 8.00   $ 6.13
Third Quarter   $ 8.69   $ 6.63
Fourth Quarter   $ 9.00   $ 7.25
Fiscal year ending June 30, 2000

  High
  Low
First Quarter   $   7.00   $   4.25
Second Quarter   $ 5.72   $ 3.00
Third Quarter   $ 6.10   $ 4.00
Fourth Quarter   $ 5.56   $ 3.75

        The last reported sale price of the Class B Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market on September 25, 2002 was $1.78 per share. As of September 25, 2002, there were 311 holders of record of the Company's Class B Common Stock.

        There is no established public trading market for the Company's Class A Common Stock. As of September 25, 2002, there were four holders of record of the Company's Class A Common Stock.

        The Company has never paid cash dividends on its Common Stock and has no intention of paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The Company anticipates that all future earnings, if any, generated from operations will be retained by the Company to develop and expand its business. Any future determination with respect to the payment of dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, the Company's operating results, financial condition and capital requirements, the terms of then-existing indebtedness, general business conditions and such other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant. In addition, negative covenants contained in the Company's senior credit facility currently prohibit the Company from paying cash dividends on such shares without the prior approval of the lender.

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Item 6.    Selected Financial Data.

        The selected consolidated financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. In fiscal 2002, the Company changed its wine and brandy inventory costing method from the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method to the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method and all prior years have been restated to give effect for that change.

 
  Year Ended June 30,
 
 
  1998
  1999
  2000
  2001
  2002
 
 
  (in thousands, except per share data)

 
Statement of operations data:                                
Revenues   $ 111,981   $ 107,755   $ 96,912   $ 97,935   $ 83,630  
Cost of sales     83,457     81,417     81,079     80,662     70,383  
Gross profit     28,524     26,338     15,833     17,273     13,247  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses (1)     14,675     8,126     7,756     10,825     10,985  
Write down on system costs                     5,663  
Income (loss) from operations     13,849     18,212     8,077     6,448     (3,401 )
Interest expense     6,867     4,522     3,827     2,955     4,069  
Minority interest     112                  
Income (loss) before income taxes     6,870     13,690     4,250     3,493     (7,470 )
Net income (loss)     4,324     9,453     2,720     2,471     (4,669 )
Redeemable preferred stock dividends     (1,271 )   (400 )            
Accretion on preferred stock         (1,928 )            
   
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) available to common stockholders     3,053     7,125     2,720     2,471     (4,669 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per common share (2):                                
  Basic   $ .44   $ .76   $ .29   $ .26   $ (.49 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
  Diluted   $ .43   $ .74   $ .28   $ .25   $ (.49 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding (2):                                
  Basic     6,918     9,349     9,498     9,507     9,514  
   
 
 
 
 
 
  Diluted     7,325     9,621     9,578     9,838     9,514  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  June 30,
 
  1998
  1999
  2000
  2001
  2002
Balance sheet data:                              
Working capital   $ 9,806   $ 24,377   $ 25,999   $ 21,336   $ 14,054
Total assets     126,081     132,041     120,648     132,119     132,814
Total long-term debt     51,918     39,250     36,102     39,792     30,039
Redeemable preferred stock     8,951                
Stockholders' equity     19,296     59,835     62,556     65,166     60,434

(1)
Management incentives relating to stock appreciation rights and bonuses increased selling, general and administrative expenses by $8,800 for the year ended June 30, 1998.

(2)
See Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for an explanation of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations.

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Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

        The following discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Golden State Vintners, Inc. (the "Company" or "GSV") contains "Forward-Looking Statements," as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-Looking Statements are statements other than historical information or statements of current condition and relate to future events or the future financial performance of the Company. Some Forward-Looking Statements may be identified by use of such terms as "believes," "anticipates," "intends" or "expects." Such Forward-Looking Statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such Forward-Looking Statements. The Company's results may differ materially from those anticipated in such Forward-Looking Statements as a result of a number of factors, including without limitation, (i) difficulties in the bulk wine market; (ii) loss of key customers or contracts; (iii) competition from various domestic and foreign wine producers; (iv) interest rates and other business and economic conditions which could increase significantly the costs and risks of projected capital spending; and (v) the effect of weather and other natural forces on growing conditions and, in turn, the quality and quantity of grapes we produce. Each of these factors, and other risks pertaining to the Company, the premium wine industry and general business and economic conditions, are more fully discussed herein and from time to time in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any Forward-Looking Statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Overview

        Our operations include the following: bulk wine and related services, grape sales, case goods and related services and brandy. Bulk wine and related services includes production and sale of bulk wine, custom crushing services, storage of bulk wine in tanks and barrels and the delivery of bulk wine barreling services, such as racking and topping. Grape sales consist of the sale of grapes grown at our vineyards as well as grapes purchased by us from third party growers. Case goods and related services includes the production of proprietary and private label bottled wine, wine related and malt-based alcoholic beverages and custom bottling and storage services. Our brandy business includes the production of brandy and grape spirits and brandy barrel storage and related barreling services. See "Business—Company Operations."

Significant Accounting Policies

Critical Accounting Policies

        Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 14 of this Form 10-K. Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to its revenue recognition policy, the collectibility of accounts receivable, the valuation of inventories, and the valuation of its long-lived assets and deferred tax assets. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. In the past, actual results have not been materially different from our estimates.

        Some of our significant accounting policies involve a higher degree of judgment or complexity than our other accounting policies. The policies described below have been identified as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. The impact and associated risks related to

18




these policies on our business operations are discussed throughout Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Revenue Recognition

        Sales of bulk wine, juice and brandy are recognized at the time the product specifications of the purchase contract are met and the product has been accepted by the buyer, title has passed to the buyer, and there is no right of return in the contract. In certain cases the contract requirements specify that we store such product after it has been sold and require the buyer to pay a storage fee. Sales of wine grapes and cased goods are recognized at the time of delivery to the customer. Wine processing and storage fees are recognized as those services are provided.

Trade Receivables

        Substantially all accounts receivable are due from wine distributors and major wineries located in California. We perform periodic credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and generally does not require collateral for its sales. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts to reflect expected credit losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments on such accounts. A considerable amount of judgment is required to assess the ultimate realization of the customer accounts receivable and the credit-worthiness of each customer. Furthermore, these judgments must be continually updated and evaluated. Estimates of potential losses are based on historical as well as current data, including the aging of the receivables, recent bankruptcy trends, delinquency rates, historical charge-off patterns, recovery rates and other data. Other factors, including the general economic environment in the wine industry, are also considered. Historically, our credit losses on receivables have been consistent and within expectations. However, if the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payment, adjustment to those estimates may be required.

Inventories

        Bulk wine, case goods and brandy are stated at the lower of average cost or net realizable value. Inventories of supplies are stated at the lower of the first-in, first-out method or market. Costs associated withe the current year's unharvested grape crop are deferred and recognized in the subsequent year when the grapes are harvested. Wine inventories are classified as current assets in accordance with recognized trade practice although some products will not be sold in the following year. Effective July 1, 2001, we changed our wine and brandy inventory costing method from the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method to the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. We write down our inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about historical usage, future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

        Our long-lived assets consist primarily of property and equipment, assets held for sale and other assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. With respect to vineyards, we perform an evaluation of whether an impairment charge should be made whenever particular vineyards experience unfavorable operating results. A vineyard's assets are evaluated for impairment by comparing its estimated undiscounted cash flows over its estimated life to its carrying value. If the cash flows are not sufficient to recover the carrying value, a loss equal to the difference between the carrying value and the discounted future cash flows of the vineyard is recognized. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a variety of factors, including historical experience with yields and expected grape sales prices. Various uncertainties, including but not limited to bad weather, pests and diseases, and excess inventory levels in the industry could adversely impact the expected cash flows to be generated by a vineyard. In fiscal 2002, we recognized

19




an impairment reserve of approximately $1.9 million to reflect the anticipated loss on the sale of Lost Hills Vineyard currently in escrow. This loss was partially offset by a reversal of a contingent note payable to a related party of $0.9 million. In June 2002 the Company's Board of Directors approved a plan to sell certain excess assets. These assets, which include a bulk wine and bottling facility, a warehouse, a tasting room and certain vineyards, are included in the accompanying financial statements as assets held for sale. We expect that proceeds from the sale of the excess assets will be used for debt reduction and/or operating purposes. If actual performances of the remaining vineyards are less favorable than our projections, future asset impairment charges may be necessary. Similar procedures are used when analyzing other corporate assets for impairment.

Deferred Tax Assets

        We record a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. While we consider future taxable income and ongoing and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, in the event that we were to determine that they would not be able to realize all or part of the net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.

Recent Developments

        Our bulk wine business unit continues to experience downward pressure on sales volumes and margins. This is a result of continued softness in the wine industry due to surplus domestic and international bulk wine inventories and a reduction in the number of long-term bulk wine sales contracts relative to previous years. As a result, the Company's bulk wine inventory at June 30, 2002 is $7.9 million greater than at June 30, 2001 and substantially in excess of committed sales contracts. Although management believes that this excess inventory can be sold on the spot market at sales prices at or above the carrying value, no assurance can be given that the Company will not experience losses on the sale or disposition of a portion of the inventory, and such losses could be material. The Company has recorded an inventory lower of cost or market reserve of approximately $1.1 million as of June 30, 2002 based on management's current assessment of market conditions.

        In our March 31, 2002 Form 10-Q, we reported that we were notified by a significant customer that they are reducing their requirements by approximately two-thirds for custom processing, storage and barreling services relative to the 2002 crush. Revenues attributable to this customer for the year ended June 30, 2002 were approximately $13.9 million or 32% of bulk wine segment revenues. We have negotiated replacement contracts and contract buy-outs with this customer to attempt to cover this anticipated revenue shortfall.

        Our new ready-to-drink ("RTD") bottling unit did not meet our originally anticipated profit levels for the year due to lower than expected customer demand, higher than expected start-up costs, unplanned capital expenditures and expenditures to maximize bottling line throughput. Furthermore, the largest of our three RTD customers exercised a contract provision providing for termination of the contract within a specified number of months. A termination agreement to buy out the remaining contract production requirement was entered into in August 2002. The agreement requires this customer to pay approximately $1.2 million to us in lieu of providing further production services. Revenues for the year ended June 30, 2002 related to this contract were approximately $3.9 million or 14% of case goods segment revenues. Based on the termination of the contract, management is actively pursuing alternate customer relationships.

        We have been in the process of implementing a new enterprise-wide technology platform over the past two years. In January 2002, we implemented all of the modules of the system with the exception of the bulk wine module. Due to significant remaining programming and training costs and additional ongoing resources needed to operate the bulk wine module, we have elected not to implement the bulk wine

20




module. Accordingly, in fiscal 2002 the Company has written off approximately $5.6 million (included in selling, general and administrative expense) of such costs.

        On July 19, 2002, the Company renewed its revolving line of credit to provide $22.0 million through February 5, 2003 and $18.0 million thereafter with variable interest based on interest rate options elected by the Company.

        We completed the sale of approximately 700 acres of our vineyards located in Fresno County. We recorded a gain of approximately $1.0 million on this sale as an offset to wine grape cost of sales. The property collateralized long-term debt and the lender required the proceeds of $3.1 million to be applied to the loan principal and to a prepayment penalty of $363,000.

        In August 2002, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the entire Lost Hills Vineyard. An asset impairment reserve was recognized of approximately $1.9 million included in wine grape cost of sales in fiscal 2002 to reflect the anticipated loss on this sale. This loss was partially offset by a reversal of a contingent note payable to a related party of approximately $0.9 million.

        In September 2002, Greg J. Forrest and Peter W. Mullin resigned as directors of the Company. The Board has appointed David Gale as a new director of the Company, effective September 18, 2002.

        Mark A. Larson, the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer, departed the Company effective May 13, 2002. The Company and Mr. Larson have finalized severance arrangements including a payment representing one year's salary or $320,000 in June 2002. Mr. Larson had options to purchase approximately 388,000 shares of stock but such options reverted back to the 1996 Stock Option Plan upon expiration in August 2002. Management believes that it has sufficient executive management personnel to direct its current business volume.

        In light of the foregoing developments, the Company is currently reducing its cost structure and increasing operating efficiencies including labor reductions in June, July and August 2002. Approximately 60 positions primarily involved in plant operations were eliminated during this period.

        The table below sets forth summary statement of operations data for the three fiscal years ended June 30, 2002. In fiscal 2002, the Company changed its wine and brandy inventory costing method from the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method to the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method and all prior years have been restated to give effect for that change:

Summary Statement of Operations Data
(in thousands)

 
  Year Ended June 30,
 
 
  2000
  2001
  2002
 
Revenues   $ 96,912   $ 97,935   $ 83,630  
Cost of sales     81,079     80,662     70,383  
   
 
 
 
Gross profit     15,833     17,273     13,247  
Selling, general and administrative expenses     7,756     10,825     10,985  
Write down on systems cost             5,663  
   
 
 
 
Income (loss) from operations     8,077     6,448     (3,401 )
Interest expense     3,827     2,955     4,069  
   
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes     4,250     3,493     (7,470 )
Income taxes     1,530     1,022     (2,801 )
   
 
 
 
Net income (loss)   $ 2,720   $ 2,471   $ (4,669 )
   
 
 
 

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        The following table reflects summary statement of operations data shown above, expressed as a percentage of revenues:

Percentage of Revenues

 
  Year Ended June 30,
 
 
  2000
  2001
  2002
 
Revenues   100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
Cost of sales   83.7   82.4   84.2  
   
 
 
 
Gross profit   16.3   17.6   15.8  
Selling, general and administrative expenses   8.0   11.0   13.1  
Write down on systems cost       6.8  
   
 
 
 
Income (loss) from operations   8.3   6.6   (4.1 )
Interest expense   3.9   3.0   4.8  
   
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes   4.4   3.6   (8.9 )
Income taxes   1.6   1.1   (3.3 )
   
 
 
 
Net income (loss)   2.8   2.5   (5.6 )
   
 
 
 

Seasonality and Quarterly Results

        We have experienced and expect to continue to experience seasonal and quarterly fluctuations in our revenues. Because of the inherent seasonality of our operations, we have historically reported our highest revenues and net income in our second fiscal quarter as we sell most of our bulk wine in the second quarter, immediately after crush, and perform many of our wine processing services in the first and second quarters. As a result, we typically report lower revenues and net income (loss) in the third and fourth fiscal quarters. In the current fiscal year, we have experienced decreased bulk wine revenues as a result of a reduced number of long-term bulk wine sales contracts relative to previous years. We believe such decrease in long term bulk sales contracts is attributable to 1) plantings of new vineyards 2) current and anticipated lower bulk wine market prices 3) higher levels of wine inventory held by our customers and 4) increased international competition. We anticipate that these market pressures will continue.

        The following table illustrates the seasonality of the Company's revenues, gross profit and net income (loss) for each of the four fiscal quarters of the Company's 2002 and 2001 fiscal year:

Quarterly Revenues, Gross Profit and Net Income (Loss)

 
  Fiscal 2002 Quarter Ended
 

 

 

Sept. 30


 

Dec. 31


 

Mar. 31


 

June 30


 
 
  (in thousands, except per share data)

 
Revenues   $ 17,399   $ 35,960   $ 16,203   $ 14,068  
Percent of revenues for the year ended June 30, 2002     20.8 %   43.0 %   19.4 %   16.8 %
Gross profit   $ 2,966   $ 8,378   $ 3,061   $ (1,158 )
Percent of gross profit for the year ended June 30, 2002     22.4 %   63.2 %   23.1 %   (8.7 )%
Net income (loss)   $ (344 ) $ 3,047   $ (165 ) $ (7,207 )
Percent of net income (loss) for the year ended June 30, 2002     (7.4 )%   65.3 %   (3.5 )%   (154.4 )%
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share   $ (0.04 ) $ 0.31   $ (0.02 ) $ (0.76 )

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  Fiscal 2001 Quarter Ended
 

 

 

Sept. 30


 

Dec. 31


 

Mar. 31


 

June 30


 
 
  (in thousands, except per share data)

 
Revenues   $ 18,868   $ 44,950   $ 20,859   $ 13,258  
Percent of revenues for the year ended June 30, 2001     19.3 %   45.9 %   21.3 %   13.5 %
Gross profit   $ 3,395   $ 9,592   $ 3,584   $ 702  
Percent of gross profit for the year ended June 30, 2001     19.7 %   55.5 %   20.7 %   4.1 %
Net income (loss)   $ 344   $ 4,043   $ (132 ) $ (1,784 )
Percent of net income (loss) for the year ended June 30, 2001     13.9 %   163.6 %   (5.3 )%   (72.2 )%
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share   $ 0.04   $ 0.41   $ (0.01 ) $ (0.19 )

        Significant year-end adjustments recorded in the fourth quarter include the write-off of approximately $5.6 million related to the bulk wine module of the new enterprise-wide technology platform which the Company elected not to implement and an asset impairment reserve of approximately $1.9 million related to a pending sale of the Lost Hills Vineyard partially offset by a reversal of a contingent note payable to a related party of approximately $0.9 million.

Results of Operations

        The following table illustrates the Company's revenues by source for the periods indicated:

Revenues by Source
(in thousands)

 
  Year Ended June 30,

 

 

2000


 

2001


 

2002

Revenues:                  
  Bulk wine and related services   $ 55,832   $ 57,384   $ 43,756
  Grape sales     10,617     6,810     2,363
  Case goods and related services     15,911     20,258     27,722
  Brandy     14,552     13,483     9,789
   
 
 
    Total revenues   $ 96,912   $ 97,935   $ 83,630
   
 
 

        The following table illustrates the Company's revenues by source for the periods indicated, expressed as a percentage of revenues:

Percentage of Revenues by Source

 
  Year Ended June 30,
 

 

 

2000


 

2001


 

2002


 
Revenues:              
  Bulk wine and related services   57.6 % 58.6 % 52.3 %
  Grape sales   11.0   6.9   2.8  
  Case goods and related services   16.4   20.7   33.2  
  Brandy   15.0   13.8   11.7  
   
 
 
 
    Total revenues   100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
   
 
 
 

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International

        Approximately 16% of our revenues in fiscal 2002 were derived from the sale of wine and wine products internationally. We export bulk wine and case goods to Europe, Canada and Asia.

Fiscal Years Ended June 30, 2002 and 2001

        Total revenues for fiscal 2002 were $83.6 million, a decrease of $14.3 million or 14.6%, as compared to revenues of $97.9 million for fiscal 2001. The overall decrease in revenues is due to decreases in bulk wine, wine grapes and brandy revenues as partially offset by increased case goods revenues.

        Bulk Wine and Related Services.    For fiscal 2002, revenues from bulk wine and related services were $43.8 million, a decrease of $13.6 million or 23.7%, as compared to revenues of $57.4 million in 2001. The period to period decrease was a result of a reduction of bulk wine contract and spot sales of approximately 4.9 million gallons or approximately $12.7 million at lower average sales prices per gallon totalling approximately $2.5 million partially offset by approximately $2.0 million in increased bulk wine storage revenues.

        Wine Grapes.    In fiscal 2002, revenues from grape sales were $2.4 million, a decrease of $4.4 million or 64.7%, as compared to revenues of $6.8 million in fiscal 2001. Wine grape revenues include sales of grapes grown on the Company's vineyards and grapes purchased from outside growers and resold to various third parties or "resold grapes". The decline in this segment's revenues is due to reduced volume of wine grapes sold of approximately $3.6 million, partially offset by price increases totalling approximately $0.1 million. The reduction in sales of Company grown grapes is consistent with our plan to use more Company grown grapes in our operations. Resold grape volume decreases totalled approximately $1.8 million partially offset by increased prices totalling approximately $0.7 million.

        Case Goods and Related Services.    For fiscal 2002, revenues from case goods and related services were $27.7 million, an increase of $7.4 million or 36.5%, as compared to revenues of $20.3 million in fiscal 2001. The increase is a result of revenues recognized on custom bottling services for malt-based alcoholic beverages of $8.0 million in fiscal 2002. Malt-based alcoholic beverage custom bottling services commenced in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001.

        Brandy.    For fiscal 2002, revenues from the sale of brandy and grape spirits were $9.8 million, a decrease of $3.7 million or 27.4%, as compared to revenues of $13.5 million for fiscal 2001. The period to period decrease in brandy revenue was due to decreased proof gallons sold or approximately $3.0 million at reduced contracted prices with an effect of approximately $0.5 million.

        For fiscal 2002, total cost of sales was $70.4 million, a decrease of $10.3 or 12.8%, from $80.7 million for fiscal 2001. As a percentage of revenues, cost of sales for fiscal 2002 was 84.2%, an increase from 82.4% for fiscal 2001. The increase in cost of sales on a percentage of revenue basis was a result of various vineyard transactions as follows: (1) In August 2002, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the entire Lost Hills Vineyard comprising approximately 1400 acres. An asset impairment reserve was recognized of approximately $1.9 million included in wine grape costs of sales in fiscal 2002 to reflect the anticipated loss on this sale. This loss was partially offset by a reversal of a note payable to a related party of approximately $0.9 million; (2) In Spring 2002, the Company began removal of approximately 340 acres of underperforming vineyards resulting in a $0.8 million charge; together partially offset by (3) In Spring 2002, the Company sold approximately 700 acres of vineyards located in Fresno County realizing a gain of approximately $1.0 million. Another factor impacting the increased percentage of cost of sales to

24


revenues was reduced pricing per proof gallon of brandy sold. Partially offsetting factors include the decreased grape cost component of bulk wine and case goods costs relative to sales prices.

        In fiscal 2002, we realized gross profit of $13.2 million, a decrease of $4.1 million or 23.7%, as compared to $17.3 million in fiscal 2001. As a percentage of revenues, gross profit for fiscal 2002 was 15.8%, a decrease from 17.6% in fiscal 2001, for reasons discussed above under "Cost of Sales."

        For fiscal 2002, selling, general and administrative expenses were $11.0 million, an increase of $0.2 million or 1.9%, from $10.8 million in fiscal 2001. The period to period increase was due to increased payroll and related expenses including certain severance expenses and post production service and support of our new enterprise-wide technology platform partially offset by elimination of accrued bonuses in the current year.

        In fiscal 2002, a write-off of $5.6 million was recorded related to the bulk wine module of our new enterprise-wide technology platform. Management elected not to implement the bulk wine module due to significant remaining programming and training costs and additional ongoing resources needed to operate the bulk wine module. We will continue to use our existing bulk wine tracking software which is adequate for our current needs.

        For fiscal 2002, interest expense was $4.1 million, an increase of $1.1 million or 36.7%, as compared to interest expense of $3.0 million in fiscal 2001. The period to period increase resulted from increased average borrowings on our line of credit and long-term debt and decreased interest capitalized related to an increased average balance of capital projects in progress partially offset by lower overall interest rates. In addition, approximately $363,000 of prepayment penalties were incurred in fiscal 2002 due to lender requirement to pay down long-term debt with proceeds on sale of certain vineyards located in Fresno County. Interest capitalized in fiscal 2002 and 2001 was approximately $0.3 and $0.5 million, respectively.

        The effective tax rate of our income tax benefit was 37.5% for fiscal 2002 as compared to our income tax rate of 29.3% for fiscal 2001. The income tax benefit effective rate for fiscal 2001 was primarily the result of an increase in manufacturing tax credits.

        For fiscal 2002, net loss was $4.7 million, a decrease of $7.2 million, as compared to net income of $2.5 million in fiscal 2001. Net loss for fiscal 2002 was impacted by factors covered above.

        For fiscal 2002, diluted loss per share was $0.49 compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.25 for fiscal 2001.

25


Fiscal Years Ended June 30, 2001 and 2000

        Total revenues for fiscal 2001 were $97.9 million, an increase of $1.0 million or 1.0%, as compared to revenues of $96.9 million in fiscal 2000. The overall slight increase in revenues was primarily due to increased revenues in the bulk wine and case goods segments largely offset by decreased wine grape sales resulting from the planned reduction in sales of Company grown grapes and from decreased volume of "resold grapes," both at lower prices as compared to the prior year.

        Bulk Wine and Related Services.    For fiscal 2001, revenues from bulk wine and related services were $57.4 million, an increase of $1.6 million or 2.9%, as compared to $55.8 million during fiscal 2000. Increased custom processing volumes and bulk wine volumes resulted in $8.5 million increased revenues partially offset by lower pricing on bulk wine sales of approximately $6.9 million during fiscal 2001.

        Wine Grapes.    In fiscal 2001, revenues from wine grape sales were $6.8 million, a decrease of $3.8 million or 35.8%, as compared to revenues of $10.6 million for fiscal 2000. Revenues from Company grown grapes decreased approximately $0.8 million or 14.8% from approximately $5.4 million for fiscal year 2000 to $4.6 million for fiscal 2001, consistent with the Company's plan to use more Company grown grapes in its operations. The decrease in revenues is primarily due to lower unit prices realized in fiscal 2001. Resold grape revenue decreased to $2.2 million from $5.2 million for fiscal 2001 and 2000, respectively. The decline in resold grape revenue resulted from lower volume and lower unit pricing realized in fiscal 2001.

        Case Goods and Related Services.    For fiscal 2001, revenues from case goods and related services were $20.3 million, an increase of $4.4 million or 27.7%, as compared to revenues of $15.9 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2000. The period to period increase in case goods and related services revenues was due to increased volume in international case goods sales of $3.2 million and increased prices on international sales of $0.8 million.

        In addition, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001, the Company commenced custom bottling services for malt-based alcoholic beverages on its $10 million high-speed bottling line. Revenues related to such production were approximately $.4 million in fiscal 2001. Initial production levels were not at peak capacity. The Company expects production levels and related revenues to increase in fiscal 2002.

        Brandy.    For fiscal 2001, revenues from the sale of brandy and grape spirits were $13.5 million, a decrease of $1.1 million or 7.5%, as compared to revenues of $14.6 million in fiscal 2000. The decrease in brandy revenues in fiscal 2001 is primarily due to lower unit pricing stemming from the lower cost of brandy grapes used in production in fiscal 2001 of approximately $2.5 million, partially offset by increased volume in fiscal 2001 totalling approximately $1.4 million.

        For fiscal 2001, total cost of sales was $80.7 million, a decrease of $0.4 million or 0.5%, from $81.1 million in fiscal 2000. As a percentage of revenues, cost of sales for fiscal 2001 was 82.4%, a decrease from 83.7% in fiscal 2000. The decrease in cost of sales on a percentage of revenue basis was primarily the result of higher margins on bulk wine sales favorably impacted by lower grape costs which were partially offset by lower unit pricing. In addition, vineyard removal costs decreased from $1.8 million to $0.3 million from fiscal 2000 to fiscal 2001 respectively. Case goods cost of sales were negatively impacted by additional costs associated with integrating new bottling activity into the Company's historical bottling programs, and by write-offs of certain dry goods and packaged products.

26


        In fiscal 2001, the Company realized gross profit of $17.3 million, an increase of $1.5 million or 9.5%, as compared to $15.8 million for fiscal 2000. As a percentage of revenues, gross profit for fiscal 2001 was 17.6%, an increase from 16.3% for fiscal 2000. The Company's gross profit and gross margin for fiscal 2001 were the result of items discussed above under "Cost of Sales."

        For fiscal 2001, selling, general and administrative expenses were $10.8 million, an increase of $3.0 million or 38.5% from $7.8 million for fiscal 2000 primarily due to increased professional services expenses and increased payroll and related expenses consistent with the Company's goal to strengthen and enhance its management team. In addition, the Company recognized a $.9 million charge related to power generating equipment committed to be purchased by the Company but subsequently cancelled. The charge includes preliminary engineering costs incurred and estimated losses on the resale of such equipment.

        For fiscal 2001, interest expense was $3.0 million, a decrease of $0.8 million or 21.1%, as compared to $3.8 million in fiscal 2000. The period to period decline is primarily due to decreased weighted average borrowings on the Company's line of credit and long-term debt and increased capitalized interest relative to increased capital expenditures.

        The effective tax rate for fiscal 2001 was 29.3% compared to an effective rate of 36.0% for fiscal 2000. The effective rate for 2001 was primarily the result of an increase in manufacturing tax credits.

        For fiscal 2001, net income was $2.5 million, a decrease of $0.2 million or 7.4%, as compared to net income of $2.7 million in fiscal 2000. Net income was impacted by factors discussed above.

        For fiscal 2001, diluted earnings per share was $0.25 compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.28 for fiscal 2000.

        Our working capital position at June 30, 2002 was $14.1 million, compared to $21.3 million at June 30, 2001. The decrease in working capital is due to cash expenditures funded with short-term debt. Historically, our investments in receivables and inventories are at their highest in the second quarter and are reduced in the third and fourth quarters, however, investments in inventories remain high due to current difficult market conditions. We maintain a revolving line of credit for working capital purposes which is secured by inventory, accounts receivable, the current year's wine grape crop and other collateral. Borrowings under the line typically peak in November, during our second fiscal quarter. The revolving line of credit balance was $14.5 million at June 30, 2002, with no outstanding balance at June 30, 2001. Unused availability under the line of credit was $1.5 million at June 30, 2002. On July 19, 2002, we renewed the revolving bank line of credit to provide $22.0 million through February 5, 2003 and $18.0 million thereafter. The line expires July 5, 2003 and we intend and expect to renew the line at that time.

        The Company's revolving line of credit and long-term debt financing agreements contain certain financial covenants. As a result of the factors discussed above under "Recent Development," the Company was not in compliance with cash flow and working capital minimum requirements of its bank credit

27



agreement as of June 30, 2002, but a waiver was subsequently obtained in September 2002. These financial ratios are measured only at June 30 of each fiscal year. In addition, the Company was not in compliance with a fixed charge coverage requirement of its insurance company loan agreement as of June 30, 2002, but a waiver was subsequently obtained in September 2002 as well as an amendment to the loan agreement regarding this covenant effective for each quarter beginning September 30, 2002.

        Net cash used in operating activities for fiscal 2002 was $1.3 million, compared to net cash provided by operations of $15.6 million for fiscal 2001. The decrease in cash provided by operations resulted from reduced income and increased inventories.

        Capital expenditures for fiscal 2002 were $10.2 million, compared to $19.3 million in fiscal 2001. We have funded these expenditures in 2002 from our working capital line. We intend to partially refinance these expenditures and finance future capital expenditures through long-term financing arrangements. Because we successfully renewed and increased our existing line of credit, we believe operating and working capital line sources are adequate for our current operating needs as well as our capital expenditure program.

        We have classified a bulk wine facility, a warehouse, a tasting room and certain vineyards with a net book value of $16.2 million (net of impairment charge of $1.9 million) as assets held for sale at June 30, 2002. Proceeds from the sale of these assets will be used for operating purposes and/or debt reduction. In October 2002, a principal payment of $1.7 million plus interest is due on a note payable to an insurance company. Vineyards included in assets held for sale collateralize this note. We intend to pay off the note with proceeds from this sale. We are negotiating with the lender to extend the maturity should a sale not occur.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

        We can choose from several variable rate options on certain of our debt. All of our balance sheet items and sales are in U.S. dollars, therefore we have no foreign currency exchange rate risk related to these financial data. We do not use financial instruments for trading purposes.

        Certain of our debt is subject to variable interest rate options. The following chart indicates our fixed and variable rate long and short-term debt at June 30, 2002, and estimates the balances of such debt in future periods ($ millions):

 
  June 30,
 
 
  2002
  2003
  2004
  2005
  2006
 
Bank line of credit:                                
  Variable Rate:                                
    Average Outstanding*   $ 10.5   $ 13.0   $ 12.0   $ 12.0   $ 12.0  
    Weighted average rate per period     3.4 %   5.0 %   7.0 %   7.0 %   7.0 %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Long-term Debt:                                
  Fixed Rate:                                
    Average Outstanding   $ 42.2   $ 35.4   $ 27.6   $ 22.5   $ 4.6  
    Weighted average rate per period     8.4 %   8.1 %   8.2 %   8.4 %   6.9 %

*
Based on current anticipated cash flow, we believe that our bank line of credit will be periodically used to fund operations in our peak season.

        During our annual business cycle, we utilize a variable interest rate working capital line at various borrowing levels. Our existing working capital loan agreement offers interest rate options at spreads over LIBOR and/or lender cost of funds, at maturities we selected. For fiscal 2002, the average outstanding balance under this line was approximately $10.5 million, with a weighted average interest rate of approximately 3.4%.

28



        At June 30, 2002, the balance on our fixed rate long-term debt was $39.3 million and carried a weighted average interest rate of approximately 8.4%. The weighted average interest rate for fiscal 2002 for all our debt was approximately 7.4%.

        For strategic reasons, we enter into forward product sales and material supply contracts, most of which have staggered maturity dates. Under SFAS 133 and the corresponding amendments under SFAS 138, these contracts qualify as normal sales and purchases contracts, under which we expect to take physical delivery. Of our four primary lines of business, bulk wine, grape sales and brandy production are subject to multi-year contracts, while case goods sales occur on a short-term basis. The primary raw material component for most of our products is wine grapes. We enter into long and short-term grape purchase contracts to ensure an adequate and cost effective source of raw material for production. We currently have several contracts to purchase grapes at costs anticipated to exceed market for the 2002 crush. We are in the process of renegotiating such contracts but no assurance can be given that such efforts will be successful. Product sales contracts are substantially fixed over the term of the contract as to quantity and price. Wine grape contract terms are similarly fixed at inception for the term of the contract, although a portion of these contracts contains annual harvest market price adjustment clauses, including individual harvest year minimum pricing. For fiscal 2002, or the 2001 harvest year, none of our total wine grape purchases on a dollar basis were adjusted upward against contract minimum prices following the harvest.

        A certain portion of our annual wine and brandy production is committed under sales contracts. We maintain a certain amount of uncommitted product inventory to meet customer demand. Bulk wine sold under long-term contracts decreased from 11.7 million gallons in fiscal 2001 to 10.0 million gallons in fiscal 2002. At June 30, 2002, our reported inventory value of bulk wine and brandy was approximately $19.9 million, of which approximately $3.7 million, or 18%, is committed to sales contracts. Uncommitted inventory of approximately $16.2 million, or 82% is reserved for future case goods sales and for spot market bulk wine sales. We generally match preproduction contractual sales with contracted material supply agreements and will continue to maintain certain uncommitted inventory.

Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

        See the Index included at "Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K."

Item 9.    Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

        None.

29



PART III

Item 10.    Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.

        The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement relating to the 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after June 30, 2002.

Item 11.    Executive Compensation.

        The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement relating to the 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after June 30, 2002.

Item 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

        The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement relating to the 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after June 30, 2002.

Item 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

        The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement relating to the 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after June 30, 2002.

30



PART IV

Item 14.    Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K.

        (a)  Documents filed as part of this Report:

 
  Page
Independent Auditors' Report   34
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2001 and 2002   35
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Years in the Period Ended June 30, 2002   36
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Three Years in the Period Ended June 30, 2002   37
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Years in the Period Ended
June 30, 2002
  38
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements   39
Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts   58

        (b)  Reports on Form 8-K:


Exhibit Number
  Description of Document

2.1   Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of April 27, 1995 by and among the Registrant, Golden State Vintners and certain shareholders of Golden State Vintners filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.
2.2   Vineyard Purchase Agreement dated May 16, 1995 between the Registrant and The Grape Group, Inc. filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.
3.1   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.
3.2   Bylaws of the Registrant filed as Exhibit B to the Company's Proxy Statement for an Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed September 28, 2000 and incorporated by reference herein.
4.1   Form of Class B Common Stock Certificate of the Registrant filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.
4.2   Registration Rights Agreement dated as of April 27, 1995 by and among the Registrant and certain holders of the Registrant's Common Stock filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.

31


4.3   Registration Rights Agreement dated October 10, 1996 by and among the Registrant and certain holders of the Registrant's Common Stock filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.1   1996 Stock Option Plan ("1996 Stock Plan") of the Registrant filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.2   Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 1996 Stock Plan filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.3   Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement under the 1996 Stock Plan filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.4   Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and its officers and directors filed as Exhibit B to the Company's Proxy Statement for an Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed June 8, 2000, and incorporated by reference herein.
10.5   Employment Agreement dated as of April 27, 1995 between the Registrant and Jeffrey B. O'Neill filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.6   Securities Purchase Agreement dated April 21, 1995 among the Registrant, Golden State Vintners and John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company ("John Hancock"), as amended, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.7   First Mortgage Note Due April 1, 2005 issued by Golden State Vintners in favor of John Hancock in the principal amount of $35,000,000.00 filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.8   Continuing Corporate Guaranty dated April 27, 1995 entered into by the Registrant in favor of John Hancock filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.9   Security Agreement dated as of April 21, 1995 entered into by Golden State Vintners in favor of John Hancock filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.10   Intercreditor Agreement dated as of April 21, 1995 among Golden State Vintners, John Hancock and Sanwa Bank California ("Sanwa"), as amended, filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.11   Continuing Guaranty dated as of April 21, 1998 between the Registrant and Sanwa filed as Exhibit 10.14 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.12   Management Agreement dated May 31, 1997 between the Registrant and Forrest Binkley & Brown Partners L.P. filed as Exhibit 10.22 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.

32


10.13   1998 Director Stock Option Plan (the "Director Plan") filed as Exhibit 10.23 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.14   Stock Option Agreement dated as of December 31, 1997 between the Registrant and Jeffrey B. O'Neill filed as Exhibit 10.24 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.15   Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1998 between the Registrant and Jeffrey B. O'Neill, filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.16   Form of Stock Option Agreement under the Director Plan filed as Exhibit 10.29 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.17   Promissory Note dated September 30, 1986 between the Registrant, as assignee of original maker, The Grape Group and The Prudential Insurance Company of America filed as Exhibit 10.30 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.18   Credit Agreement dated as of July 5, 2000 between Sanwa and the Registrant filed as Exhibit 10.21 to the Company's Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000 and incorporated by reference herein.
10.19   First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of June 21, 2001 between Sanwa and the Registrant filed as Exhibit 10.22 to the Company's Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001 and incorporated by reference herein.
10.23   Credit Agreement dated as of July 19, 2002 between Bank of the West and the Registrant.
10.24   Standard Industrial/Commercial Multi-Tenant Lease Agreement dated as of September 6, 2002 between SDG/Commerce 201, LLC and the Registrant.
21.1   Subsidiaries of the Registrant filed as Exhibit 21.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-51443) and incorporated by reference herein.
23.1   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
24.1   Power of Attorney (included on page 49).
99.1   Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350).
99.2   Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350).

33


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
of Golden State Vintners, Inc.

        We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Golden State Vintners, Inc. and subsidiaries as of June 30, 2001 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2002. Our audits also included the supplementary financial schedule listed in the Index at Item 14(a)(2). These financial statements and the supplementary financial schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

        We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Golden State Vintners, Inc. and subsidiaries at June 30, 2001 and 2002, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2002, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such supplementary financial schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

        As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, during the year ended June 30, 2002 the Company changed its wine and brandy inventory costing method from the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method to the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method and retroactively restated the prior years' consolidated financial statements for the change.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Fresno, California
September 26, 2002

34



GOLDEN STATE VINTNERS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 
  June 30,
 

 

 

2001


 

2002


 
ASSETS              
CURRENT ASSETS:              
    Cash and equivalents   $ 488,507   $ 58,803  
    Trade and other receivables—net     10,042,126     9,823,353  
    Inventories     23,659,449     33,976,506  
    Refundable income taxes     1,891,619     1,067,277  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     412,683     253,296  
   
 
 
      Total current assets     36,494,384     45,179,235  
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT—Net     94,720,354     69,935,293  
ASSETS HELD FOR SALE         16,216,437  
OTHER ASSETS     903,880     1,482,701  
   
 
 
TOTAL ASSETS   $ 132,118,618   $ 132,813,666  
   
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY              
CURRENT LIABILITIES:              
  Bank line of credit   $   $ 14,500,000  
  Cash overdraft         977,895  
  Accounts payable     5,684,342     6,904,334  
  Payable to growers     194,815     181,722  
  Payroll and related liabilities     1,769,924     917,926  
  Accrued interest     387,532     409,925  
  Other accrued liabilities     914,832     520,538  
  Deferred income taxes     1,811,003     204,457  
  Current portion of long-term debt     4,395,722     6,508,277  
   
 
 
    Total current liabilities     15,158,170     31,125,074  
LONG-TERM DEBT     39,792,467     30,039,089  
DEFERRED COMPENSATION     149,255     732,917  
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES     11,852,463     10,483,079  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 10 and 12)              
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:              
  Common stock:              
    Class A common stock; 4,342,528 issued and outstanding at June 30, 2001 and 2002, respectively     43,425     43,425  
    Class B common stock; 5,192,343 issued at June 30, 2001 and 2002,
respectively
    51,924     51,924  
  Additional paid-in capital     45,058,028     45,058,028  
  Retained earnings     20,094,548     15,425,792  
   
 
 
  Total common stock, paid-in capital and retained earnings     65,247,925     60,579,169  
  Treasury stock (11,884 shares at June 30, 2001 and 21,884 shares at June 30, 2002)     (81,662 )   (145,662 )
   
 
 
      Total stockholders' equity     65,166,263     60,433,507  
   
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY   $ 132,118,618   $ 132,813,666  
   
 
 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

35



GOLDEN STATE VINTNERS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 
  Year Ended June 30,
 

 

 

2000


 

2001


 

2002


 
REVENUES, net:                    
  Bulk wine   $ 55,832,192   $ 57,383,986   $ 43,756,531  
  Wine grapes     10,616,502     6,810,530     2,363,571  
  Case goods     15,910,972     20,257,658     27,721,741  
  Brandy and spirits     14,552,343     13,483,096     9,788,637  
   
 
 
 
    Total revenues     96,912,009     97,935,270     83,630,480  
COST OF SALES     81,078,937     80,661,946     70,383,055  
   
 
 
 
GROSS PROFIT     15,833,072     17,273,324     13,247,425  
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES     7,755,578     10,825,432     10,985,144  
WRITE DOWN OF SYSTEM COSTS             5,663,199  
   
 
 
 
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS     8,077,494     6,447,892     (3,400,918 )
INTEREST EXPENSE     (3,827,121 )   (2,955,362 )   (4,068,838 )
   
 
 
 
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES     4,250,373     3,492,530     (7,469,756 )
INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT)     1,530,000     1,022,000     (2,801,000 )
   
 
 
 
NET INCOME (LOSS)     2,720,373     2,470,530     (4,668,756 )
   
 
 
 
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:                    
  BASIC   $ 0.29   $ 0.26   $ (0.49 )
   
 
 
 
  DILUTED   $ 0.28   $ 0.25   $ (0.49 )
   
 
 
 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:                    
  BASIC     9,498,261     9,506,583     9,514,247  
   
 
 
 
  DILUTED     9,578,117     9,838,179     9,514,247  
   
 
 
 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

36



GOLDEN STATE VINTNERS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 
  Common Stock
   
   
   
   
 
 
  Additional
Paid-in Capital

  Retained Earnings
  Treasury Stock
   
 

 

 

Class A


 

Class B


 

Total


 
BALANCE, JUNE 30, 1999 (as previously reported)   $ 43,425   $ 51,558   $ 44,836,541   $ 12,551,630   $   $ 57,483,154  
Cumulative effect on prior years of change in accounting from LIFO to FIFO for certain inventories, net of tax of $1,557,032 (Note 2)                 2,352,015         2,352,015  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
BALANCE, JUNE 30, 1999     43,425     51,558     44,836,541     14,903,645         59,835,169  
  Net income                 2,720,373         2,720,373  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
BALANCE, JUNE 30, 2000     43,425     51,558     44,836,541     17,624,018         62,555,542  
  Treasury stock purchases                     (81,662 )   (81,662 )
  Stock option exercises         339     161,906             162,245  
  Tax benefit of stock option exercises             39,692             39,692  
  Employee stock awards         27     19,889             19,916  
  Net income                 2,470,530         2,470,530  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
BALANCE, JUNE 30, 2001     43,425     51,924     45,058,028     20,094,548     (81,662 )   65,166,263  
  Treasury stock purchases                     (64,000 )   (64,000 )
  Net loss                 (4,668,756 )       (4,668,756 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
BALANCE, June 30, 2002   $ 43,425   $ 51,924   $ 45,058,028   $ 15,425,792   $ (145,662 ) $ 60,433,507  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

37



GOLDEN STATE VINTNERS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 
  Year Ended June 30,
 
 
  2000
  2001
  2002
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                    
  Net income (loss)   $ 2,720,373   $ 2,470,530   $ (4,668,756 )
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                    
    Depreciation and amortization     6,211,116     7,066,845     6,935,382  
    Provision for doubtful accounts     (200,000 )   50,000     100,000  
    Write down on system costs             5,663,199  
    Loss (gain) on disposal of assets     1,836,167     948,842     (560,960 )
    Impairment of long-term asset             1,903,618  
    Reversal of contingent liability on unsecured loan due to related party             (925,233 )
    Employee stock award         19,916      
    Change in cash surrender value of life insurance policies         5,509     164,419  
    Change in market value of deferred compensation         (4,744 )   (79,445 )
    Deferred income taxes     418,337     654,047     (2,975,930 )
    Change in deferred tax valuation allowance              
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                    
      Trade and other receivables     2,697,731     (2,650,894 )   118,773  
      Inventories     5,146,742     2,701,101     (8,579,669 )
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets     (26,030 )   341,896     159,387  
      Refundable income taxes     1,711,663     567,954     824,342  
      Accounts payable     (1,065,663 )   2,720,982     1,219,992  
      Payable to growers     (299,553 )   (165,470 )   (13,093 )
      Payroll and related liabilities     326,788     808,745     (851,998 )
      Accrued interest     (63,061 )   (435,584 )   22,393  
      Other accrued liabilities     425,511     297,975     (394,294 )
      Deferred compensation         153,999     663,107  
   
 
 
 
      Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities     19,840,121     15,551,649     (1,274,766 )
   
 
 
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                    
  Purchases of property, plant and equipment     (7,614,425 )   (19,281,183 )   (10,193,754 )
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment             3,522,804  
  Purchase of life insurance policies         (650,000 )   (650,000 )
  Proceeds from note receivable     1,722,322          
  Refund (payment) of deposits     (18,890 )   7,551     (156,520 )
   
 
 
 
    Net cash used in investing activities     (5,910,993 )   (19,923,632 )   (7,477,470 )
   
 
 
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                    
  Borrowings on line of credit     25,900,000     38,200,000     44,000,000  
  Payments on line of credit     (34,000,000 )   (38,200,000 )   (29,500,000 )
  Cash overdraft increase (decrease)     (964,467 )       977,895  
  Proceeds from lease financing         8,000,000      
  Payments on long-term debt     (4,855,011 )   (3,259,337 )   (7,091,363 )
  Proceeds from stock option exercises         162,245      
  Purchase of treasury stock         (81,662 )   (64,000 )
   
 
 
 
    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     (13,919,478 )   4,821,246     8,322,532  
   
 
 
 
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND EQUIVALENTS     9,650     449,263     (429,704 )
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD     29,594     39,244     488,507  
   
 
 
 
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD   $ 39,244   $ 488,507   $ 58,803  
   
 
 
 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

38


GOLDEN STATE VINTNERS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.    ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

        Golden State Vintners, Inc., formerly Golden State Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation, was formed on April 26, 1995 for the purpose of acquiring and holding for investment all of the outstanding capital stock of Golden State Vintners ("GSV"), a California corporation. Such acquisition occurred on April 27, 1995.

        The Company processes and bottles wine, brandy and juice for sale, primarily in bulk, to other wineries and processors located principally in California. The Company experiences seasonal fluctuations in its revenues. Due to the inherent seasonality of its grape harvesting and crushing operations, the Company generally reports its highest revenues and net income in its first and second fiscal quarters.

2.    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

        The consolidated financial statements include Golden State Vintners, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, GSV (collectively, the "Company"). All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.

        The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant accounting estimates include collectibility of accounts receivable, valuation of inventories, valuation of long-lived assets and deferred tax assets and revenue recognition.

        The fair value of certain financial instruments, including cash, receivables, accounts payable, and other accrued liabilities, approximate the amounts recorded in the balance sheet because of the relatively short-term maturities of these financial instruments. The fair value of bank, insurance company, and other long-term financing at June 30, 2002 approximate the amounts recorded in the balance sheet based on information available to the Company with respect to current interest rates and terms for similar financial instruments.

        For purposes of reporting cash flows, the Company considers cash equivalents to include all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less.

        Most accounts receivable are due from wine distributors and major wineries located principally in California, however, at June 30, 2002, a receivable balance of approximately $1.1 million was due from an international customer. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and generally does not require collateral for its sales. Trade and other receivables at June 30,

39


2001 and 2002 are net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $502,000 and $409,000, respectively.

        Effective July 1, 2001, the Company changed its wine and brandy inventory costing method from the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method to the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The primary reasons for the change in accounting method are: management's belief that the FIFO method of accounting better matches revenues and expenses of the Company's wines and brandy sold, and therefore provides a better method of reporting the Company's results of operations; the FIFO method of accounting will reduce intra-year cost of sales volatility; and the FIFO method of accounting will provide improved financial comparability to other publicly-traded companies in the industry. The accounting change has been applied to prior years by retroactively restating the financial statements. For the year ended June 30, 2001, the restatement decreased net income by $1.9 million or $0.20 per share. For the year ended June 30, 2000, the restatement decreased net income by approximately $2,000 or $0.00 per share. As of July 1, 1999, the effect of this restatement increased current assets, current liabilities and retained earnings by $3.5 million, $1.2 million and $2.4 million, respectively. The change to the FIFO method of accounting discussed above resulted in additional taxes of approximately $2.0 million to be paid over four years beginning with the fiscal 2001 tax return. Payment of these additional taxes will not change our effective tax rate.

        Bulk wine, case goods, and brandy are stated at the lower of average cost or net realizable value. Inventories of supplies are stated at the lower of FIFO cost or market. Costs associated with the current year's unharvested grape crop are deferred and recognized in the subsequent year when the grapes are harvested. Wine inventories are classified as current assets in accordance with recognized trade practice although some products will not be sold in the following year.

        Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the related assets, as follows:

Land Improvements   30 years
Vineyards   20 years
Buildings   7 to 48 years
Cooperage   10 to 30 years
Equipment   7 to 20 years

        Costs incurred in developing vineyards, including related interest costs, are capitalized until the vineyards become commercially productive. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operating costs as incurred. The cost of improvements is capitalized. Gains or losses on the disposition of assets are included in income. Amortization of assets held under capital leases is included in depreciation expense.

        The Company periodically evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used, including intangible assets, when events and circumstances warrant such a review. When the anticipated undiscounted cash flow from a long-lived asset is less than its carrying value, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which its carrying value exceeds its fair market value. Fair market value is determined

40


primarily using the anticipated cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risks involved, and in some cases, the expected proceeds from the sale of a particular asset, or independent appraisals. See Notes 4 and 5 for impairments recognized in 2002.

        The Company has purchased life insurance policies to cover its obligations under deferred compensation plans for officers, key employees and directors. Cash surrender values, included in other assets, of these policies are adjusted for fluctuations in the market value of underlying instruments. The cash surrender value is adjusted each reporting period and any gain or loss is included in selling, general and administrative expense. Market value declines resulted in losses of $5,509 and $164,419 in fiscal 2001 and 2002, respectively. Employee deferred compensation liabilities are also adjusted to market value each reporting period. Market value declines resulted in gains of $4,744 and $79,445 in fiscal 2001 and 2002, respectively.

        Financing costs incurred to obtain new financing are deferred and amortized over the term of the related loan. At June 30, 2001 and 2002, such costs included in other assets were $237,300 and $174,020, respectively, which were net of accumulated amortization of $395,500 and $458,780, respectively.

        On July 19, 2002, the Company renewed and increased its revolving line of credit to provide $22.0 million through February 5, 2003 and $18.0 million thereafter. The line expires July 5, 2003. The balance outstanding under the line was $14.5 million at June 30, 2002 with no outstanding balance at June 30, 2001.

        On November 8, 2000, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the purchase of up to 1,000,000 shares of its outstanding Class B Common Stock. Through June 30, 2002, the Company has purchased 21,884 shares for $145,662 of which 10,000 shares were purchased for $64,000 in fiscal 2002. As of June 2002, the Board of Directors suspended additional purchases until further notice.

        Sales of bulk wine, juice and brandy are recognized at the time the product specifications of the purchase contract are met and the product has been accepted by the buyer, title has passed to the buyer, and there is no right of return in the contract. In certain cases the contract requirements specify that the Company store such product after it has been sold and require the buyer to pay a storage fee. Sales of wine grapes and cased goods are recognized at the time of delivery to the customer. Wine processing and storage fees are recognized as those services are provided. Revenues relating to product held and stored by the Company after it has been sold totalled approximately $26,795,000, $47,909,000 and $39,780,000 in the years ended June 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively. At June 30, 2001 and 2002, accounts receivable included approximately $1,300,000 and $363,000 respectively, pertaining to product sales in which the products were stored by the Company at such dates.

41


        The Company's brandy sales are primarily to one customer. Such sales, together with bulk wine and case goods sales to such customer, accounted for approximately 15%, 14% and 12% of total revenues in the years ended June 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively. In addition, a bulk wine customer accounted for approximately 8%, 13% and 17% of total revenues in the years ended June 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively.

        The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes ("FAS 109"), and provides deferred income taxes for the differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their related financial statement amounts using current income tax rates. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

        The Company accounts for stock-based awards using the intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB 25"), and recognizes compensation expense for certain stock-based awards granted to employees as required by APB 25. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("FAS 123"), became effective in fiscal year 1997 and requires disclosure of certain pro forma information as if the Company had adopted the fair value method of accounting for stock-based compensation prescribed by FAS 123 (see Note 8).

        Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing earnings available to common stockholders adjusted for the effects of preferred stock dividends, interest on convertible debt, and other changes in income or loss resulting from the presumed conversion of potential common shares, if any, by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period plus potential common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the Company. Stock options represent potential common shares and are included in computing diluted earnings per share when the effect is dilutive.

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        Basic and fully diluted earnings (loss) per share ("EPS") are determined as follows:

 
  Year Ended June 30,
 
 
  2000
  2001
  2002
 
Basic EPS Computation                    
Numerator:                    
  Net income (loss)   $ 2,720,373   $ 2,470,530   $ (4,668,756 )
   
 
 
 
Denominator:                    
  Weighted average common shares     9,498,261     9,506,583     9,514,247  
   
 
 
 
Basic EPS   $ .29   $ .26   $ (.49 )
   
 
 
 
Diluted EPS Computation                    
Numerator:                    
  Income (loss) available to common stockholders and assumed conversions   $ 2,720,373   $ 2,470,530   $ (4,668,756 )
   
 
 
 
Denominator:                    
  Weighted average common shares outstanding     9,498,261     9,506,583     9,514,247  
  Stock options     79,856     331,596      
   
 
 
 
  Adjusted weighted average common shares     9,578,117     9,838,179     9,514,247  
   
 
 
 
Diluted EPS   $ .28   $ .25   $ (.49 )
   
 
 
 

        Options to purchase approximately 1,004,000, 758,000 and 1,139,000 shares of common stock at various prices per share were outstanding at June 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively, but were not included in diluted EPS computations because the exercise prices were greater than the average market price for Class B common stock for the periods then ended.

        In 2001, the FASB issued four statements: No. 141, Business Combinations, No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, and No. 143, Accounting for Assets Retirement Obligations and No. 144, Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. SFAS No. 141 requires the purchase method of accounting for business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001. SFAS No. 142 provides that goodwill and certain identifiable intangible assets will not be amortized and requires impairment tests for goodwill and certain identifiable intangible assets. SFAS No. 143 provides that asset retirement obligations be measured at fair value and be discounted. Dismantlement and restoration costs should be recognized as a liability when incurred. SFAS No. 144 provides that impairment losses be recognized only if the carrying amount of the long-lived assets is not recoverable from undiscounted cash flows. Any impairment loss recognized would be the difference between the carrying value of the asset and its fair value. In 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145 Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44 and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections and SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities. SFAS No. 145 provides that debt extinguishments that are part of a Company's risk management strategy should not be reported as extraordinary items because they do not meet the criteria as unusual and infrequently occurring events. This statement also requires sale-leaseback accounting for certain lease modifications whose economic effects are similar to sale-leaseback transactions. SFAS No. 146 may affect the timing of recognizing future restructuring costs as well as the amounts recognized. This statement requires that the liability for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the

43


liability is incurred, rather than at the date of the Company's commitment to an exit plan. SFAS No. 146 also establishes that the liability should initially be measured and recorded at fair value. SFAS Nos. 144 and 145 are effective July 1, 2002 and the provisions of SFAS No. 146 are effective for future exit activities initiated after December 31, 2002. The Company adopted SFAS Nos. 141, 142 and 143 effective July 1, 2001. Adoption of these statements had no material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Management expects that the adoption of SFAS Nos. 144, 145 and 146 will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

        Certain amounts in the accompanying 2000 and 2001 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 2002 presentation.

3.    INVENTORIES

        Inventories consist of the following:

 
  June 30,
 
  2001
  2002
Bulk wine   $ 10,283,967   $ 18,186,742
Cased and bottled wine     3,997,481     7,340,769
Brandy     1,204,000     1,713,118
Supplies and other     979,100     834,568
Unharvested crop costs     7,194,901     5,901,309
   
 
  Total   $ 23,659,449   $ 33,976,506
   
 

4.    PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

        Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:

 
  June 30,
 
  2001
  2002
Land and improvements   $ 14,713,312   $ 10,747,099
Vineyards     26,357,461     14,517,882
Buildings     12,726,460     9,040,357
Cooperage     24,766,768     22,938,059
Equipment     35,723,730     35,779,485
Construction in progress     8,609,770     3,958,163
   
 
  Total     122,897,501     96,981,045
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization     28,177,147     27,045,752
   
 
Property, plant and equipment—net   $ 94,720,354   $ 69,935,293
   
 

        We have been in the process of implementing a new enterprise-wide technology platform over the past two years. In January 2002, we implemented all of the modules of the system with the exception of the bulk wine module. Due to significant remaining programming and training costs and additional ongoing

44



resources needed to operate the bulk wine module, we have elected not to implement the bulk wine module. Accordingly, in fiscal 2002 the Company has written off approximately $5.6 million of such costs.

        For the years ended June 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002, the Company capitalized approximately $300,000, $512,000 and $292,000, respectively, of interest primarily related to software development costs and plant equipment and vineyards under development included in construction in progress. In the Company's 2001 and 2002 fiscal years, the Company removed approximately 150 and 340 acres of underperforming vineyards, respectively, from production (representing approximately two and five percent of the Company's total vineyard assets, respectively), resulting in a $0.3 and $0.8 million charge, respectively, to wine grape cost of sales.

        In addition, in the Spring of 2002 the Company sold approximately 700 acres of vineyards located in Fresno County realizing a gain of approximately $1.0 million included in wine grape cost of sales. The proceeds from the sale of approximately $3.1 million were deposited in an escrow account as required by the debt agreement for the benefit of the lender since the property collateralized long-term debt. In September 2002, the proceeds of $3.1 million were used to pay debt and a prepayment penalty of $363,000.

5.    ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

        In June 2002 the Company's Board of Directors approved a plan to sell certain excess assets. Such assets include a bulk wine and bottling facility, a warehouse, a tasting room and certain vineyards. After the lease of the American Canyon facility in December 2001, neither the bulk wine and bottling facility nor the other warehouse facility is necessary for custom crushing, bottling or storage.

        In addition, in August 2002, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the entire Lost Hills Vineyard. An asset impairment charge was recognized of $1.9 million included in wine grape cost of sales in fiscal 2002 to reflect the anticipated loss in this sale. This loss was partially offset by a reversal of a contingent note payable to a related party of $0.9 million. Such note was a part of the original purchase price of the Lost Hills Vineyard. Assets held for sale, at the lower of carrying value or fair value, consists of the following:

 
  June 30
2002

Land and improvements   $ 4,696,782
Vineyards (net of a $1.9 million impairment charge)     6,390,510
Buildings     3,817,240
Cooperage     3,292,777
Equipment     6,044,928
   
  Total     24,242,237
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization     8,025,800
   
  Assets held for sale—net     16,216,437
   

6.    BANK LINE OF CREDIT AND LONG-TERM DEBT

      On July 19, 2002, the Company renewed and increased its revolving line of credit to provide $22.0 million through February 5, 2003 and $18.0 million thereafter with variable interest based on interest rate options elected by the Company. The balance outstanding under the line was $14.5 million at June 30, 2002 with no outstanding balance at June 30, 2001. The line expires July 5, 2003 and management intends and expects to renew the line at that time.

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        Long-term debt is as follows:

 
  June 30,
 
 
  2001
  2002
 
Insurance company Senior Secured First Mortgage Notes,
principal and interest at 8.99% payable $370,000 monthly, balance of $14,336,952 due April 1, 2005
  $ 26,789,711   $ 21,913,908  
Insurance company note payable, interest at 11.6% payable
annually, annual principal payments of $200,000, balance of $1,724,000 due on October 1, 2002
    1,924,156     1,724,156  
Unsecured contingent loan due to related party, non-interest bearing,
discounted (at 10%) to present value, reversed in fiscal 2002 as discussed in Note 2
    860,986      
Capital lease obligations and other loans, interest principally at 7.0% (See Note 10)     14,613,336     12,909,302  
   
 
 
  Total     44,188,189     36,547,366  
Less current portion     (4,395,722 )   (6,508,277 )
   
 
 
Long-term portion   $ 39,792,467   $ 30,039,089  
   
 
 

        Substantially all of the Company's assets are pledged as collateral for revolving bank loans and long-term debt. The insurance company loan agreement, as amended, and bank credit agreements include various financial covenants which require that the Company maintain certain specified financial ratios and restrict the amount of capital expenditures, additional indebtedness and certain investments. Further, dividends may not be declared and paid without prior approval. The Company was not in compliance with working capital and cash flow minimum requirements of its bank credit agreement as of June 30, 2002, but a waiver was subsequently obtained in September 2002. In addition, the Company was not in compliance with the fixed charge coverage requirement of its insurance company loan agreement as of June 30, 2002, but a waiver was subsequently obtained in September 2002 as well as an amendment to the loan agreement regarding this covenant effective for each quarter beginning September 30, 2002.

        In June, 2001, the Company entered into a master lease agreement with a bank to finance up to $8 million of bottling and processing equipment. During 1998, the Company entered into a master leasing agreement with a bank to finance up to $11 million of cooperage and processing equipment. The leases are collateralized by the property and require monthly principal and interest payments. As of June 30, 2002, the cumulative amount of property financed and capitalized totaled approximately $15.4 million.

        Under the terms of the insurance company Securities Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement") dated April 21, 1995, the Company may, at its option, prepay the outstanding Senior Secured First Mortgage Notes (the "Notes") in whole or in part, after April 1, 1998 at a price equal to the principal amount of the Notes plus accrued interest, plus a premium as defined in the agreement. Prepayment of all outstanding Notes and accrued interest thereon is required on the occurrence of certain events, as defined in the Agreement.

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        Scheduled annual maturities of long-term debt, including capital leases, as of June 30, 2002 are as follows:

2003   $ 6,508,277
2004     5,243,793
2005     18,992,079
2006     2,472,700
2007     1,823,146
Thereafter     1,507,371
   
  Total   $ 36,547,366
   

        The fiscal 2003 amount above includes $1,724,156 currently due October 1, 2002. A sale of the vineyard that collateralizes such note is currently in escrow. The Company intends to pay off the loan with proceeds from this sale. Company management is negotiating with the lender to extend the maturity should the sale not occur.

7.    INCOME TAXES

        The components of income tax expense (benefit) are as follows:

 
  Year Ended June 30,
 
 
  2000
  2001
  2002
 
Current:                    
  Federal   $ 961,995   $ 283,160   $ 266,007  
  State     148,776     84,794     (91,077 )
   
 
 
 
      1,110,771     367,954     174,930  
Deferred:                    
  Federal     504,169     823,748     (2,512,651 )
  State     (85,832 )   (213,385 )   (614,295 )
   
 
 
 
      418,337     610,363     (3,126,946 )
Change in valuation allowance     892     43,683     151,016  
   
 
 
 
    $ 1,530,000   $ 1,022,000   $ (2,801,000 )
   
 
 
 

        The Company recognized tax benefits related to stock option exercises in the amount of $39,692 for the year ended June 30, 2001. These benefits were recorded as a decrease to income taxes payable and an increase in paid-in-capital. There were no stock option exercises in the years ended June 30, 2000 or 2002.

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        The Company's income tax provision differs from the amount determined by applying the statutory federal income tax (benefit) rate, due to the following:

 
  Year Ended June 30,
 
 
  2000
  2001
  2002
 
Federal statutory tax rate   35.00 % 35.00 % (35.00 )%
Permanent items   .80   (3.28 ) .75  
State income taxes, net of federal effect   .98   (1.60 ) (4.91 )
Change in valuation allowance   .02   1.25   .01  
Other   (.80 ) (2.07 ) 1.65  
   
 
 
 
    36.00 % 29.30 % (37.50 )%
   
 
 
 

        Deferred income tax assets and liabilities consist of the following:

 
  June 30,
 
 
  2001
  2002
 
Current assets (liabilities):              
  Inventory costing   $ (2,264,379 ) $ (1,626,704 )
  State franchise taxes     104,192     6,435  
  Capitalized interest     122,094     299,881  
  Reserves     343,030     743,519  
  Allowance for doubtful accounts     214,884     175,105  
  Property taxes     (471,240 )    
  Benefits     97,853     115,095  
  Other     42,563     82,212  
   
 
 
    Total   $ (1,811,003 ) $ (204,457 )
   
 
 
Long-term assets (liabilities):              
  Purchase accounting   $ (4,009,784 ) $ (3,449,560 )
  Accelerated depreciation     (10,769,036 )   (11,308,876 )
  Deferred compensation     63,941     313,982  
  State franchise taxes     142,911     115,591  
  Operating loss carryforwards         1,487,289  
  Tax credit carryforwards     3,072,163     2,867,567  
  Other     41,825     36,427  
  Valuation allowance     (394,483 )   (545,499 )
   
 
 
    Total   $ (11,852,463 ) $ (10,483,079 )
   
 
 

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        At June 30, 2002, the Company has federal and state alternative minimum tax ("AMT") credit carryforwards of approximately $1,791,000 and $295,000, respectively, that may be used for an indefinite period. At June 30, 2002, the Company has federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $1,283,000 expiring in 2022 and state net operating loss carryforwards of $204,000 expiring in 2014. In addition, the Company has a state manufacturers tax credit of approximately $782,000 which expires as follows:

2008   $ 118,000
2009     584,000
2010     80,000
   
  Total   $ 782,000
   

8.    SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

        The Company's authorized capital stock is as follows at June 30, 2002:

 
  Par Value
  Authorized Shares
Class A   $ .01   6,000,000
Class B   $ .01   54,000,000

        Class A common stock has ten votes for each share and are convertible into Class B common stock on a share-for-share basis at the option of the stockholder or upon certain transfers of current stock ownership. Class B common stock has one vote for each share. Class A and Class B common stockholders share equally in dividend distributions (if declared by the Board of Directors) and liquidation rights.

        Changes in the Company's common stock issued during the year ended June 30, 2001 (no changes in fiscal 2000 or 2002) are as follows:

 
  Class of Common Stock

 

 

A


 

B

Shares issued and outstanding, June 30, 2000   4,342,528   5,155,733
Issuance of stock (option exercises)     33,900
Issuance of stock (employee stock awards)     2,710
   
 
Shares issued, June 30, 2001 and 2002   4,342,528   5,192,343
   
 

        The Company's 1996 Stock Option Plan covers 1,393,925 shares of Class B Common Stock. The Plan provides for the grant of incentive and nonstatutory stock options to officers, key employees and others, at prices not less than fair value. Options granted generally become exercisable 25% annually and expire after 10 years.

        In April 1998, the Company adopted the 1998 Director Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), which covers 348,000 shares of Class B Common Stock. Under the terms of the Plan, options may be granted to

49



non-employee members of the Company's Board of Directors at prices not less than fair market value (as defined), are fully vested after one year and expire ten years after issuance. The Plan also provides for annual grants of options to purchase 10,005 shares of common stock on May 1 of each year commencing May 1, 1999 to each non-employee director who has remained in continuous service.

        A summary stock option activity is as follows:

 
  Number of Stock Options
  Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Right/Option
Outstanding at June 30, 1999   1,349,037   $ 9.46
  Granted at market value ($2.58 weighted average fair value per option)   377,527   $ 3.87
  Terminated   (55,793 ) $ 9.20
   
 
Outstanding at June 30, 2000   1,670,771   $ 8.21
  Granted at market value ($3.63 weighted average fair value per option)   111,800   $ 5.90
  Exercised   (33,900 ) $ 4.79
  Terminated   (177,650 ) $ 10.12
   
 
Outstanding at June 30, 2001   1,571,021   $ 7.90
   
 
  Granted at market value ($3.02 weighted average fair value per option)   532,075   $ 5.01
  Granted at greater than market value ($3.23 weighted average fair value per option)   150,000   $ 6.35
  Terminated   (303,278 ) $ 4.91
   
 
Outstanding at June 30, 2002   1,949,818   $ 7.45
   
 
Exercisable at June 30, 2002   1,350,393   $ 8.43
   
 
Available for grant at June 30, 2002   80,955      
   
     

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at June 30, 2002.

Options Outstanding
  Options Exercisable
Range of
Exercise
Prices

  Number
Outstanding
at 6/30/02

  Weighted
Average Remaining
Contractual Life

  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

  Number
Exercisable
at 6/30/02

  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

$3.10 to $7.63   1,249,686   6.8 years   $ 4.87   650,261   $ 4.51
$12.07 to $12.08   700,132   5.5             $ 12.07   700,132   $ 12.07
   
           
     
$3.10 to $12.08   1,949,818   6.4             $ 7.45   1,350,393   $ 8.43
   
           
     

        FAS 123 requires the disclosure of pro forma net income amounts had the Company adopted the fair value method for valuation of stock based compensation prescribed by that statement. Under FAS 123, the fair value of stock-based awards to employees is calculated using option pricing models, even though such models were developed to estimate the fair value of freely tradable, fully transferable options without vesting restrictions, which significantly differ from the Company's stock option awards. These models

50



require certain subjective assumptions which greatly affect the calculated values. The Company's calculations were made using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 
  2000
  2001
  2002
 
Expected life   5.0   5.0   4.9  
Risk free interest rate   6.2 % 5.5 % 4.3 %
Expected volatility   77 % 70 % 69 %
Dividends   None   None   None  

        The Company's calculations are based on a multiple option valuation approach and forfeitures are recognized as they occur. Proforma net income for the years ended June 30, 2000 and 2001 would have been $543,029 and $651,426, less than net income as reported and the net loss for the year ended June 30, 2002 would have been $472,007 greater than reported if the computed fair values of the stock option awards had been amortized to expense over the vesting period of the awards. Proforma earnings (loss) per share for the year ended June 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002 would have been as follows: basic—$0.23, $0.19 and $(0.54). and diluted—$0.23, $0.18 and $(0.54), respectively.

9.    RETIREMENT PLANS

        The Company's 401(k) plan, established in 1996, provides retirement benefits to full-time employees that meet certain eligibility requirements. Under the 401(k) plan, employees may elect to have up to 15% of their annual eligible compensation, subject to certain limitations, deferred and deposited with a qualified trustee. The Company may elect to make an annual discretionary contribution to the Plan of up to 25% of each participant's eligible compensation, subject to certain limitations. Participants' voluntary contributions and Company contributions to the Plan vest immediately. The Company also contributes to a winery workers' retirement plan which provides retirement benefits for union employees. In the event of withdrawal or plan termination the Company could be liable for its proportionate share of a plan's unfunded vested benefits. The information required to determine the amount of this contingent obligation is not readily available. Retirement plan costs charged to operations were $104,448, $107,503 and $120,806 for the years ended June 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively.

        The Company has a deferred compensation plan for officers, key employees and directors that enables participants to defer portions of their current compensation.

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10.    LEASES

        The Company leases cooperage, equipment and real estate under both capital and operating lease arrangements. Future minimum payments by fiscal year and in aggregate under such capital leases and noncancellable operating leases with terms of one year or more consist of the following at June 30, 2002:


 

 

Capital Leases


 

Operating Leases

2003   $ 3,112,137   $ 1,435,670
2004     3,112,137     1,139,660
2005     2,881,354     1,046,781
2006     2,798,973     1,029,431
2007     1,981,741     962,911
Thereafter     1,569,639    
   
 
Total minimum lease payments     15,455,981   $ 5,614,453
         
Amount representing interest     2,546,679      
   
     
Net present value of minimum lease payments     12,909,302      
Less current maturities     2,282,773      
   
     
    $ 10,626,529      
   
     

        The following is a summary of cost and accumulated amortization on capitalized cooperage and equipment leases:

 
  June 30,
 

 

 

2001


 

2002


 
Cooperage   $ 8,453,990   $ 8,453,990  
Equipment     9,673,016     10,126,957  
Less accumulated amortization     (1,745,332 )   (3,189,608 )
   
 
 
    $ 16,381,674   $ 15,391,339  
   
 
 

        Rent expense totaled $890,310, $1,024,198 and $1,883,842 for the years ended June 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively.

11.    BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

        The Company's chief decision makers evaluate performance based on the gross profit of the following four segments: bulk wine, wine grapes, case goods and brandy. The bulk wine segment includes production and sale of bulk wine, custom crushing services, storage of bulk wine in tanks and barrels and delivery of bulk wine barreling services, such as racking and topping. The Company's wine grapes segment consists of farming and harvesting of Company owned vineyards and subsequent sales or internal use of produced grapes as well as grapes purchased by the Company for resale. The case goods segment includes production of proprietary and private label bottled wine, alcoholic beverages and custom bottling and storage services and providing custom bottling services for malt-based alcoholic beverages to two major customers. The Company's brandy segment includes production of brandy and spirits and brandy barrel storage and related barreling services. The Company also analyzes information on capital expenditures, depreciation and amortization and assets utilized by each of the four segments.

52


        Segment information as of June 30, 2001 and 2002 and for the years ended June 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002 is as follows:

 
  Year Ended June 30,
 
 
  2000
  2001
  2002
 
Revenues, net:                    
  Bulk wine   $ 55,832,192   $ 57,383,986   $ 43,756,531  
  Wine grapes     10,616,502     6,810,530     2,363,571  
  Case goods     15,910,972     20,257,658     27,721,741  
  Brandy     14,552,343     13,483,096     9,788,637  
   
 
 
 
    Total revenues, net     96,912,009     97,935,270     83,630,480  

Cost of Sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Bulk wine     45,358,636     43,870,080     32,722,420  
  Wine grapes     10,809,404     6,163,036     2,930,301  
  Case goods     13,989,159     20,136,443     26,762,124  
  Brandy     10,921,738     10,492,387     7,968,210  
   
 
 
 
    Total cost of sales     81,078,937     80,661,946     70,383,055  

Gross Profit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Bulk wine     10,473,556     13,513,906     11,034,111  
  Wine grapes     (192,902 )   647,494     (566,730 )
  Case goods     1,921,813     121,215     959,617  
  Brandy     3,630,605     2,990,709     1,820,427  
   
 
 
 
    Total gross profit   $ 15,833,072   $ 17,273,324   $ 13,247,425  
   
 
 
 

Capital Expenditures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Bulk wine   $ 4,359,304   $ 2,432,810   $ 3,189,506  
  Wine grapes     413,380     104,188     772,107  
  Case goods     2,019,138     10,325,086     3,272,280  
  Brandy     721,432     323,312     893,054  
  Corporate     101,171     6,120,612     2,378,333  
   
 
 
 
    Total   $ 7,614,425   $ 19,306,008   $ 10,505,279  
   
 
 
 

Depreciation and amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Bulk wine   $ 4,471,833   $ 5,242,010   $ 4,167,058  
  Wine grapes     550,883     420,950     135,456  
  Case goods     233,035     516,217     1,569,942  
  Brandy     614,696     561,903     528,332  
  Corporate     340,669     325,765     534,594  
   
 
 
 
    Total   $ 6,211,116   $ 7,066,845   $ 6,935,382  
   
 
 
 
 
 
June 30

 
  2001
  2002
Total Assets:            
  Bulk wine   $ 56,307,017   $ 61,987,663
  Wine grapes     33,484,548     26,230,246
  Case goods     24,485,626     31,466,893
  Brandy     7,079,728     8,039,213
  Corporate     10,761,699     5,089,651
   
 
    Total   $ 132,118,618   $ 132,813,666
   
 

53


        The net book value of assets held for sale as of June 30, 2002 are included in the following business segments:

Bulk wine   $ 7,993,941
Wine grapes     4,621,210
Case goods     3,601,286
   
    $ 16,216,437
   

        Revenues derived from five of our customers accounted for 41%, 44% and 49% in 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively. Revenues from Constellation and Diageo accounting for approximately 17% and 13%, respectively in 2002.

        International sales are 10%, 15% and 16% of revenues in 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively, and represent the export of bulk wine and case goods to Canada, Europe and Asia. The Company has no assets in foreign locations.

12.    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

        The Company enters into grape purchase and bulk wine sales contracts in the normal course of business. Contracted prices to be paid for grapes are fixed or fluctuate with prevailing market prices at the time of purchase based on contract terms. Bulk wine sales contracts are generally at fixed prices.

        As of June 30, 2002, the Company had entered into contracts aggregating approximately $176,000 for the purchase of processing equipment and cooperage.

        The Company is subject to litigation in the ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate outcome of existing litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition, the results of its operations or its cash flows.

13.    SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

        Supplemental cash flow information is as follows:

 
  Year Ended June 30,
 

 

 

2000


 

2001


 

2002


 
Interest paid   $ 4,143,279   $ 3,558,109   $ 3,549,334  
Income taxes paid/(refunded)     (600,000 )   (200,000 )   (649,413 )
Property acquired under capital lease         24,825     311,525  

54



SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

    GOLDEN STATE VINTNERS, INC.

 

 

By:

/s/  
JOHN G. KELLEHER      
John G. Kelleher
Chief Financial Officer
September 28, 2002


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Jeffrey B. O'Neill, John G. Kelleher and Jeffrey J. Brown, and each of them his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Name
  Title
  Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/  JEFFREY B. O'NEILL      
Jeffrey B. O'Neill
  Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)   September 28, 2002

/s/  
JOHN G. KELLEHER      
John G. Kelleher

 

Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (Principal Financial Officer and Accounting Officer)

 

September 28, 2002

/s/  
JEFFREY J. BROWN      
Jeffrey J. Brown

 

Chairman of the Board, Assistant Secretary and Director

 

September 28, 2002

/s/  
NICHOLAS B. BINKLEY      
Nicholas B. Binkley

 

Director

 

September 28, 2002

 

 

 

 

 

55



/s/  
LAWRENCE R. BUCHALTER      
Lawrence R. Buchalter

 

Director

 

September 28, 2002

/s/  
DAVID GALE      
David Gale

 

Director

 

September 28, 2002

/s/  
PAUL M. GINSBURG      
Paul M. Ginsburg

 

Director

 

September 28, 2002

/s/  
W. SCOTT HEDRICK      
W. Scott Hedrick

 

Director

 

September 28, 2002

/s/  
JEAN-MICHEL VALETTE      
Jean-Michel Valette

 

Director

 

September 28, 2002

56


CERTIFICATIONS

        I, Jeffrey B. O'Neill, certify that:

        1.    I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Golden State Vintners, Inc.;

        2.    Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements are made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report; and

        3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly represent in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report.

Date: September 28, 2002    

 

 

 
/s/  JEFFREY B. O'NEILL      
Jeffrey B. O'Neill
Chief Executive Officer
   

 

 

 

CERTIFICATIONS

        I, John Kelleher, certify that:

        1.    I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Golden State Vintners, Inc.;

        2.    Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements are made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report; and

        3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly represent in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report.

Date: September 28, 2002    

 

 

 
/s/  JOHN KELLEHER      
John Kelleher
Chief Financial Officer
   

 

 

 

57


Item 14(a)(2)

GOLDEN STATE VINTNERS, INC.

SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(dollars in thousands)

 
  Balance at
Beginning of
Year

  Charged to
Costs and
Expenses

  Deductions(1)
  Balance at
End of
Year


Year ended June 30, 2000:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Allowance for uncollectible accounts   $ 1,272   $ (200 ) $ (115 ) $ 957

Year ended June 30, 2001:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Allowance for uncollectible accounts     957     50     (505 )   502

Year ended June 30, 2002:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Allowance for uncollectible accounts     502     100     (193 )   409

(1)
Represents write-offs of receivable amounts.

58




QuickLinks

PART I
Fiscal 2002 Revenues (dollars in millions)
Production at The Company's Winemaking Facilities
The Company's Vineyard Properties
Net Production Acres Owned by GSV and Tons Produced
RISK FACTORS
PART II
PART III
PART IV
GOLDEN STATE VINTNERS, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
GOLDEN STATE VINTNERS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
GOLDEN STATE VINTNERS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
GOLDEN STATE VINTNERS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
SIGNATURES
POWER OF ATTORNEY
CERTIFICATIONS
CERTIFICATIONS