News Briefs for May 18, 2021
May 18, 2021•Target has announced that customers may now purchase alcohol for same-day pickup at 1,200 of its stores in 29 states across the U.S. Where available, Target customers can add beer, wine, and spirits to their pick-up orders placed through the Target app. In addition, Target will offer same-day delivery for alcohol, via Shipt, at 600 stores by the end of the month. This expansion follows the company’s pilot program in Florida, California, and South Dakota, which saw digital alcohol sales grow by 450% for the test markets.
•Jim Clendenen, who brought a love of Burgundy to his groundbreaking Santa Barbara winery Au Bon Climat and helped put the region on the world winemaking stage, has died at age 68. He died in his sleep the night of May 15, at his home in the Los Alamos district near the town of Buellton, Calif. Wine Spectator has more on Clendenen’s life and career.
•Riunite, part of the Frederick Wildman & Sons portfolio, is launching its Lambrusco in canned format. Retailing at $2.50 a 250-ml. can and $10 a four-pack, the Lambrusco cans are debuting next month amid a new creative campaign and restyle of the full line of Riunite cans, as well as the Lambrusco, Moscato, and Peach Moscato glass bottles. Running under the “Reunite with Delight” tagline, the campaign will run nationally on radio, online, print, and digital media channels. Riunite is also creating a multicultural campaign titled “Somo Nosotros,” which will prioritize key Hispanic markets.
•Avaline has released a new sparkling rosé, the first limited-edition release for the brand, founded by actress and author Cameron Diaz and entrepreneur Katherine Power. The 12% abv sparkler is made from Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Parellada, and Monastrell grapes, and is sold in 375-ml. bottles. Avaline Sparkling Rosé is now available exclusively through the brand’s website for $25 a half-bottle, where it joins the flagship red, white, rosé, and sparkling offerings.
•Houston-based importer BCI has been appointed to handle Pernod Ricard’s Ostoya vodka brand in the U.S. BCI, owned by wine and spirits industry veterans Jean-Francois and Nathalie Bonneté, will initially introduce Ostoya in Texas and Washington state ahead of a wider rollout commencing in the third quarter. Ostoya is a Polish vodka that plays in the super-premium segment.
•Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits has named Ray Lombard as executive vice president and general manager, craft spirits, effective July 1. Lombard, a 16-year veteran of the company, will lead the distributor’s national craft spirits division and drive growth and sales through its new SG+ customer service strategy. In addition, he will be responsible for bringing new craft brands into the company’s fold and will remain in charge of Southern Glazer’s fleet advertising program. In his new role, Lombard will report to Gene Sullivan, chief sales and marketing officer.
•Ste. Michelle Wine Estates has named Derek VanTine as vice president, East Region. VanTine joins Ste. Michelle from Asahi International, where he was U.S. managing director leading day-to-day operations for the Asahi portfolio of beer brands in the United States. In his new role he’ll report to Dan Heller, Ste. Michelle’s executive vice president of sales.
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