News Briefs for July 17, 2025
July 18, 2025•Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) has added non-alcoholic wine brand Missing Thorn to its distribution portfolio in Georgia and Texas.
The brand, founded by Aaron Pott and Stephanie Honig, produces upscale non-alcohol still and sparkling wines, priced above $20 a bottle. The move gives RNDC more access to the growing non-alcoholic wine category, with Missing Thorn positioned at a higher price point than most NA brands. In addition to availability through RNDC in Texas and Georgia, Missing Thorn is also available DTC through the brand’s website and retailers like Amazon.
•Trinchero Family Estates’ Ménage à Trois has released a new low alcohol Sauvignon Blanc to its Light collection of wines. The new release comes in at 8% abv and 90 calories per serving and is made from California-grown grapes. Ménage à Trois Light Sauvignon Blanc carries a suggested price of $10 a bottle and is available across the U.S. The new release joins a red blend and a Pinot Grigio in the brand’s Light portfolio. Last year, the brand was at 2.3 million cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.
•For many whisky fans, the Orkney-based Highland Park is synonymous with the name Gordon Motion. That’s because, for 27 years, this accomplished blender has been a prominent figure at the distillery, leading its production team and spearheading its many innovations over the years. Now, after nearly three decades at the helm, Motion has retired from his post as master whisky maker and the distillery has appointed a successor. Whisky Advocate has the full story.
•RTD brand Owl’s Brew has launched the Sun Tea Variety Pack, a new collection of vodka and iced tea cocktails. The drinks come in at 5% abv, 110 calories per 12-ounce can, and come in three flavors: Half Iced Tea & Half Lemonade, Strawberry Basil, and Blueberry Lemon. The variety pack carries a suggested price of $22 and contains four cans of the Half Iced Tea & Half Lemonade and two cans each of the other varieties. The new vodka teas are the latest addition to the Owl’s Brew portfolio, which also includes malt-based hard seltzers, vodka lemonade, and vodka seltzers, among other cocktails.
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