News Briefs for December 4, 2023

•Bonterra Organic Estates is launching a limited release Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) Red Blend. Selling online exclusively, the Red Blend is the third ROC wine in the Bonterra Estate Collection following the launch of the 2021 Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon earlier this year. A blend of Petite Sirah and Malbec with a touch of Zinfandel, it’s estate-grown in the Mendocino County AVA and priced at $22 a bottle. Bonterra’s Estate Collection is now in over 5,000 points of distribution across the U.S. and direct-ships to 40 states. Bonterra has U.S. volume of approximately 480,000 cases, according to Impact Databank.

•High West, part of Constellation Brands, has released this year’s edition of High Country American Single Malt. The bottling blends American single malts aged between three and 10 years in a combination of freshly charred and second-use Bourbon barrels. The malt is bottled at 44% abv and carries a suggested price of $80 a bottle. The release is available across the U.S. and through High West’s website.

•Spirit of Gallo is adding soju to its portfolio in January. Gallo has partnered with South Korea’s Lotte Chilsung Beverage Co., Ltd. to expand distribution of the Soonhari, Chum Churum, and Saero brands in the U.S. Lotte’s soju brands have previously had limited availability in the U.S., sold primarily across Asian specialty stores. Gallo’s partnership will expand distribution across all other channels. Soonhari is a fruit-flavored soju at 12% abv selling in 375-ml. bottles; Chum Churum is a clear distilled spirit that includes Original (16.5% abv) and Rich (20% abv) expressions in various sizes; and Saero is a zero-sugar entry at 16% abv and selling in 375-ml. bottles.

•Importer and distributor Skurnik Wines & Spirits has named Scott Stewart as general manager, California. He succeeds Brian Sypher, who is stepping down after leading the California organization since its inception in 2017. Stewart is a two-decade wine and hospitality veteran, including 11 years with Chambers & Chambers Wine Merchants, most recently as VP of sales and marketing. In the California market, Skurnik distributes brands from 300 wineries, distilleries, and breweries to over 3,000 customers, both on- and off-premise. The company’s nine-state wholesale footprint spans New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and California.

Tagged : Bonterra, Chum Churum, Constellation Brands, High West, Lotte Chilsung, Skurnik Wines & Spirits, Spirit of Gallo

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