News Briefs for August 12, 2025

•Parker’s Heritage 2025, High West’s Bonded, a New Riff wheater, and newcomers from Garrison Brothers and A. Smith Bowman are among the offerings featured in Whisky Advocate’s latest weekly roundup. The website has all the details.

•Cape Classics has appointed of Virtuoso Wine & Spirits as its Texas distributor. Known for wines from South Africa and France, Cape Classics also recently made a move in the California market, naming Winebow to handle its brands in the Golden State. Virtuoso was founded in 2003 by sisters Robyn and Brenda Johnson and focuses on distribution of a curated portfolio of artisanal wines and spirits throughout the Texas market.

•Sonoma-based Williams Selyem has appointed Philip O’Conor as vice president of sales and marketing. O’Conor was most recently general manager of Napa Valley’s Wheeler Farms, working with the Araujo family. Prior to that he helped launch Trinité Estate for Bordeaux’s Gonzague and Claire Lurton, while also serving as brand ambassador for their three Grand Cru Classé properties in Margaux and Pauillac. Williams Selyem has also welcomed Cakebread Cellars veteran Michael Thomas as CFO. Burgundy’s Domaine Faively purchased majority control of Williams Selyem, known for Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, last year.

•Correction: In last week’s story on French rosé, the Bieler brand from Trinchero Family Estates was incorrectly omitted from the table of leading brands. Bieler is among the leaders in the segment with volume of 76,000 cases last year, according to Impact Databank.

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