David Joseph Rufkahr; Played Frank Bartles in Wine Cooler Ads

David Joseph Rufkahr, 61, who gained fame as the lovable, talkative Frank Bartles in wine cooler advertisements. A career Air Force veteran and cattle rancher, Rufkahr won the job in a talent search. He and Dick Maugg, a Santa Rosa building contractor, posed respectively as the country bumpkins Frank Bartles and Ed Jaymes in Gallo’s ad campaign for Bartles & Jaymes wine coolers that aired nationally from 1985 to 1991. Many people believed the two actually owned the company, although Rufkahr privately admitted he only tasted the flavored wine drink one time. Rufkahr became greatly loved for his patter that ended with the folksy, “And thank you for your support.” When the campaign ended, Rufkahr commented with his typical candor, “It was a hell of a ride while it lasted.” On Tuesday in Alfalfa, Ore., of a heart attack.