News Briefs for March, 28, 2024
March 28, 2024•Woodford Reserve’s ties to the Kentucky Derby go back to 1999 when the distillery unveiled its first commemorative Derby bottle. In 2018, the distillery picked up a presenting sponsor role, making the whiskey nearly synonymous with the main event. In honor of the 150th Derby, master distiller Elizabeth McCall has introduced the rarest Woodford yet: the Woodford Reserve Derby 150th Baccarat Edition. The new whiskey starts as Woodford Bourbon, aged in new American oak. Then, the liquid is transferred to XO cognac casks. Whisky Advocate has the full story.
•Napa Valley’s Groth Vineyards & Winery is launching its 40th vintage of Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, and to mark the release the winery has replicated the 1982 vintage label and added a commemorative emblem to the bottle. The wine will be available nationally with a suggested retail price of $80 beginning in May. Groth farms two estates totaling 165 acres, producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The winery’s Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2022 ranked among Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2023.
•Oregon’s Willamette Valley Vineyards saw sales grow 15% to $39 million last year, with direct sales up 30% and sales to distributors up 2% for the year. Still, the company saw a net loss, with higher costs eating into the bottom line, as Willamette introduced new retail locations. But founder Jim Bernau noted that gross profit increased by approximately 20% in 2023 over 2022, outpacing sales growth, which he said “signals that the substantial inflationary pressure that previously impacted the company’s costs of growing, making, and selling our wines has subsided.”
•Texas-based Messina Hof winery is introducing a new Off Dry Collection. It includes Gewurztraminer, Muscat Canelli, and Riesling bottlings intended to appeal to a wide range of consumer palates and pair with a variety of cuisines. The new Off Dry Collection is debuting through the wholesale tier, as well as online and at Messina Hof’s four Texas locations this month. The new wines retail at $25 a bottle.
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