News Briefs for September 16, 2025

•California-based importer and wholesaler Quintessential has added Rutherford Wine Company to its Golden State distribution portfolio. The deal covers Rutherford’s entire portfolio including brands like Rutherford Ranch, Torcia, Scott Family Estate, Predator Wines, California Sessions, Rhiannon, Four Virtues, and Round Hill Cellars. The move bolsters Quintessential’s domestic range, with Rutherford’s wines now sitting alongside brands like Atlas Peak, XYZin, and Geyser Peak. In all, Quintessential represents 36 family estates, 49 wineries, and two distilleries across 12 countries.

•Brown-Forman has announced the 2025 release in Woodford Reserve’s Master’s Collection, Sweet Oak Bourbon. The 55.2% abv whiskey aged in Chinkapin oak barrels, which, according to the company, have a unique grain structure that influences the final whiskey. The new release is available in limited quantities at the brand’s Versailles, Kentucky distillery and for online ordering for consumers in Kentucky, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Washignton, D.C. for $180 a 700-ml. Last year, Woodford Reserve was at 1.47 million cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.

•Rare Champagne has debuted Millésime 2012, the latest luxury vintage sparkler from the brand. This bottling is made from 70% Chardonnay from Villers-Marmery, Vertus, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Chouilly, and Avize; and 30% Pinot Noir from Verzy, Verzenay, Aÿ, Ambonnay, and Villedommange. The Champagne aged for more than a decade on the lees and is now available at select retailers across the U.S. for a suggested price of $250 a bottle.

•Texas-based Brother’s Bond Bourbon has released Regenerative Grain New Batch Bourbon, the latest release from the company to be distilled from grains that are farmed via regenerative agriculture. The 46% abv whiskey is aged for four years and carries a suggested price of $60 a bottle. The release also debuts the brand’s packaging refresh, led by co-founder Paul Wesley, which aims to give the brand more upscale credentials. Brother’s Bond Regenerative Grain New Batch Bourbon is now available across the U.S.

Tagged : Brother's Bond, Brown-Forman, Quintessential, Rare Champagne, Rutherford Wine Company, Woodford Reserve

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