News Briefs for April 7, 2015
April 7, 2015•Pernod Ricard has a launched a new “brand home” for its upscale Absolut Elyx vodka in New York City. The Absolut Elyx House is a 5,000-square-foot loft space located in downtown Manhattan, which doubles as the private residence of Absolut Elyx CEO Jonas Tahlin. Pernod says the design of the house revolves around Elyx’s philosophy of “raw luxe,” and offers an immersive brand experience “where visitors can enjoy a unique style of hospitality, as well as drink Absolut Elyx cocktails.” Launched in 2013, Elyx retails at $49 a 1-liter bottle and is targeted to high-end retailers, restaurants and bars.
•Crimson Wine Group is expanding distribution of its luxury Double Canyon brand to 15 states, beginning with this month’s launch of the 2013 vintage. Sourced from Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills, Double Canyon was previously available in only a handful of markets. The new vintage of the brand’s flagship Double Canyon Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon ($25) will be launching across Arizona, Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Crimson Wine Group, also including Seghesio Family Vineyards, Pine Ridge, Chamisal and Archery Summit, recently reported 2014 revenues up 3% to $58 million, on a volume increase of 2% to 315,000 cases.
•Napa-based importer and marketer Quintessential has added Italy’s La Mannella Vineyards to its portfolio. Located in the heart of Montalcino, the 56-acre Tuscan estate began marketing wine under its own label in 1990, and now produces about 35,000 bottles annually. Beginning this month, Quintessential will introduce La Mannella’s Rosso di Montalcino ($37), Brunello di Montalcino ($72) and Brunello di Montalcino I Poggiarelli ($95) in the U.S. market. Quintessential’s portfolio also includes Impact “Hot Brand” Valentin Bianchi (from Argentina), as well as a host of labels from across California, Australia, Chile, France, Italy
•Beam Suntory is transitioning its business to Republic National Distributing Co. (RNDC) in the Colorado market beginning May 1. Beam Suntory is currently aligned with Southern Wine & Spirits in the state. Tim Hassett, Beam Suntory’s president for North America, said he sees excellent upside for the group’s portfolio in the market, and expects progress to accelerate in the years ahead. Meanwhile, a Beam Suntory spokesman told SND, “Transitioning our business in Colorado to RNDC doesn’t change the strategic importance of our relationship with Southern Wine & Spirits, and they will remain our largest partner in the world.”
•Red Hook, Brooklyn-based Sorel Artisanal Liqueur has partnered with Florida’s Mahalo Spirits Group on a new sales and marketing arrangement. Sorel, owned and produced by Brooklyn entrepreneur Jackie Summers, is a liqueur made from a traditional Bajan recipe that includes Brazilian clove, Indonesian cassia, Nigerian ginger, Indonesian nutmeg, Moroccan hibiscus, pure cane sugar and organic New York grain alcohol. Mahalo, led by former advertising executive Stephen Groth as CEO, was among the original investors in Angel’s Envy Bourbon (recently acquired by Bacardi) and also works on the Papa’s Pilar rum brand. Under the partnership, Sorel is expected to benefit from Mahalo’s existing distribution network and national sales and marketing reach.
•Private Cask Imports and CNS Imports have joined forces to launch Hong Kong Baijiu (HKB) in the U.S. market. Developed in 2013 by entrepreneur Charles Lanthier, HKB is billed as an “entry point” baijiu, created to introduce Western palates to the Chinese spirit. The 43%-abv offering, which is distilled in Sichuan, China, using sorghum, glutinous rice, rice, wheat and corn, is currently available throughout New York and California, priced at around $50 a 750-ml. In addition to HKB, Private Cask and CNS also handle the Kweichow Moutai, Shui Jing Fang and Luzhou Laojiao baijiu brands, among others, in the U.S.
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Tagged : Absolut, Beam Suntory, Crimson Wine Group, Pernod Ricard, Quintessential Wines, RNDC
