NECCESITY IS THE
MOTHER OF INVENTION
Pioneering gas pressure racking technology since 1986
Working out of his 1950 Mack truck, Don Othman began Bulldog Manufacturing in 1980, named after its iconic bulldog hood ornament. The business began with portable heliarc welding and custom stainless steel projects. He designed and fabricated specialized equipment for California wineries and breweries when the startups were in their infancy. Credited with some of the industry's leading systems, he is even on the patent for Firestone Walker's "Firestone Union", the system famously used for their flagship beer, Double Barrel Ale.
Don's most significant contribution to the beverage world however, is Don’s 1986 invention of The Bulldog Pup, a gas pressure racking wand. It was an idea born out of necessity and was initially developed for delicate wine varietals like Pinot Noir. Wineries could not remove their wine from the barrel without permanently damaging it at the time.
Winemakers discovered that when using a pump to move Pinot Noir out of barrels, oxygen and agitation were beating up the wine, destroying delicate nuances and complexity. Don addressed the issue by designing a racking wand that utilized an inert gas to pressurize the barrel and gently push the wine without oxygen or agitation. Originally designed for gentle handling of wine, the ultra-clean rackings that are achieved with the Pup have made it an indispensable cellar tool world-wide. The quality of California Pinot Noir has risen significantly since the late eighties. Improved farming practices have been key in producing much higher quality grapes. The Bulldog Pup has been key in retaining wine quality when taking the wine to the bottle. The Bulldog Pup is now used all over the world and has revolutionized the way wine, beer and spirits are moved in the cellar. It has even led to a new term, "Bulldogin," that is used industry wide.
Winemakers discovered that when using a pump to move Pinot Noir out of barrels, oxygen and agitation were beating up the wine, destroying delicate nuances and complexity. Don addressed the issue by designing a racking wand that utilized an inert gas to pressurize the barrel and gently push the wine without oxygen or agitation. Originally designed for gentle handling of wine, the ultra-clean rackings that are achieved with the Pup have made it an indispensable cellar tool world-wide. The quality of California Pinot Noir has risen significantly since the late eighties. Improved farming practices have been key in producing much higher quality grapes. The Bulldog Pup has been key in retaining wine quality when taking the wine to the bottle. The Bulldog Pup is now used all over the world and has revolutionized the way wine, beer and spirits are moved in the cellar. It has even led to a new term, "Bulldogin," that is used industry wide.