News Briefs for July 5, 2023

•A California wine pioneer and global advocate for organic, biodynamic and regenerative viticulture, winemaker and grapegrower Paul Dolan died on June 26, at age 72, after battling cancer. As a 27-year employee of Fetzer Vineyards, starting as winemaker in 1977 and rising to president in 1992, he helped the Fetzer family (and later Brown-Forman Corp.) grow their brand into a multimillion-case juggernaut and transition the company to organic grapegrowing. Wine Spectator has more on Dolan’s life and career.

•Diageo has announced the return of Talisker 30 Year Old as the 2023 limited edition release from the Scotch distillery. The 49.6% abv whisky matured in refill American oak casks and carries a suggested retail price of $1,100 a 750-ml. As a limited release, only 3,195 bottles will be available globally with 561 allocated to the U.S. This year’s release sees the brand partnering with Real Oyster Cult to create a series of pairings between Talisker and oysters farmed from across the U.S.

•Four Corners American gin, a new spirit made with botanicals from across the U.S., has launched in Massachusetts and online through Speakeasy. The gin was created by Christian Krogstad, previously of Aviation gin and Westward Whiskey, with botanical selection aided by herbalist Dr. Elizabeth McElligott. The American botanicals chosen for Four Corners include Pacific Northwest juniper, cherry bark from the Southeast, yerba santa from the Southwest, and cranberries from the Northeast, among others. The gin is now available for a suggested price of $40 and will launch in Florida in August and California shortly after that.

•Sebastopol, California-based Ron Rubin Winery is launching of Blue Bin, a new wine packaged in a 750-ml. bottle made from 100% recycled material that is also 100% recyclable. Created in partnership with Amcor, the bottles are designed to be smaller, lighter, and shatterproof, allowing for consumption at outdoor occasions like campsites, boats, the pool, and the beach. Launching in Vin Rosé, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, Blue Bin’s bottles are lined with Plasmax, an ultra-thin protective layer of glass, said to ensure the taste and quality.

Tagged : Blue Bin, Diageo, Fetzer, Four Corners, Ron Rubin Winery, Talisker

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