News Briefs for April 16, 2025
April 16, 2025•Bacardi-owned American whiskey Angel’s Envy has announced the latest addition to the Cellar Collection Series, Vol. 5, Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in French Oak Extra Añejo Tequila Barrels. The whiskey is bottled at 52.1% abv and is blended from younger Straight rye that aged for up to a year in ex-Patrón barrels along with older rye whiskey. The limited release carries a suggested price of $270 a 750-ml. and is rolling out now across the U.S.
•Francis Ford Coppola Winery, part of the Delicato portfolio, has released two new wines under its Diamond Collection, adding a white blend and a low-alcohol Sauvignon Blanc. The blend, Shimmer, brings together Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio. Vibrance Sauvignon Blanc is the second wine in the brand’s low-alcohol portfolio, following last year’s Vibrance Pinot Grigio. Both wines are available nationally, line priced at $15 with the rest of the Diamond Collection. Last year, the Diamond Collection was up 2% to 1.1 million cases, according to Impact Databank.
•Southern Glazer’s has promoted Greg Astle to executive vice president, general manager, Florida. He will report directly to Patrick Cassidy, regional president, East Region, and will be responsible for overseeing all business activities in the Florida market. A three-decade industry veteran, Astle joined Southern Glazer’s in 2011, and has most recently served as vice president, general manager of South Florida. Prior to joining SGWS he held senior roles with Gallo and Diageo.
•Sonoma-Cutrer, part of the Duckhorn portfolio, has debuted a new Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc. Retailing at $25 a 750-ml., the newcomer is rolling out nationally and will become a permanent part of the brand’s range. Sonoma-Cutrer rose 6% to 615,000 cases in the U.S. last year, according to Impact Databank. Duckhorn acquired Sonoma-Cutrer, which is best known for Chardonnay, from Brown-Forman for $400 million in 2023.
•Napa Valley-based Silver Oak has appointed Laura Oskwarek as director of winemaking. In this expanded role, Oskwarek will oversee winemaking operations at the Alexander Valley (Healdsburg) and Napa Valley (Oakville) facilities. She’s held roles of increasing responsibility in her 15 years with the company, including lab manager and winemaker for Napa Valley. Additionally, Silver Oak has promoted Justin Hirigoyen to vice president of winegrowing, overseeing vineyard, winemaking, and production operations across the Silver Oak, Twomey, Ovid, and Prince Hill properties. Hirigoyen joined the company in 2019 as winemaker for Twomey and was named director of winemaking in 2021.
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