Rough Day was created in 2017 by close friends and co-workers, Matt & Diana. They became fast friends when they met in college in 2008, working retail as a summer job. In 2016, they decided to work together again when they both got jobs as wine sales reps for a Bulgarian wine importer. There they learned about this exciting and often overlooked wine region.

After a year of knocking on doors, learning about the wine industry and educating retailers and restaurants about Bulgarian wines, they wanted to create a brand of their own––a wine that could introduce Americans to this undiscovered region––good quality, approachable wine that nobody could resist trying. Taking inspiration from their many nights of sharing a bottle of wine after a long day of work, Rough Day was born.

What’s the story with the dog?

There’s simply no better way to capture the Rough Day mood than with Ruffus’ sad puppy eyes. Ruffus isn’t just based on one dog, but a tribute to all the dogs we’ve loved, lost and continue to love today.

Pictured here are Diana’s dogs, Cosmo & Ziggy.