News Briefs for November 18, 2019

•After counting down its Top 10 wines of 2019 last week and announcing a Bordeaux red from the St.-Julien appellation as its Wine of the Year on Friday, Wine Spectator will unveil its full Top 100 Wines of 2019 list today at top100.winespectator.com.

•In case you missed Friday’s news alert, Bacardi has agreed to fully acquire Stillhouse Spirits for an undisclosed sum, after previously making an investment in the brand in 2014. Stillhouse is known for its line of whiskies and vodka packaged in oversized flask-shaped cans, and reported shipments of 50,000 cases for last year. Here’s the full story.

•Tilman Fertitta’s Landry’s Inc. has agreed to acquire casual dining chain Houlihan’s for $40 million. Houlihan’s owns or franchises 69 restaurants, including J. Gilbert’s Wood-Fired Steak + Seafood and Devon Seafood Grill in addition to its namesake brand, with its operations mainly in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. Houlihan’s filed for bankruptcy protection last week. Landry’s continues to expand its portfolio. In addition to the Houlihan’s deal, Landry’s recently announced the acquisition of Del Frisco’s Grille and Double Eagle Steakhouse, the two flagship brands of Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group.

•E.&J. Gallo has extended its André sparkling wine brand with 375-ml. cans. Retailing at $4 a can, the new packaging is debuting for André’s Brut and Brut Rosé sparklers and is backed by a tie-in with holiday apparel company Tipsy Elves, which includes André branded sweaters and other offerings. The André brand was down 4% to 1.8 million cases in the U.S. last year, according to Impact Databank.

•Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants, the Illinois-based chain that produces its own wine from a facility in suburban Chicago, has opened its 40th location, a 24,000-square-foot space in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood. It’s the first time the suburban-centered chain has opened a location in a big city. Also for the first time, the new venue is offering a selection of wines beyond its own portfolio of 37 varietals. Revenues at Cooper’s Hawk are projected to rise by 18% this year to $340 million. Annual revenues by location average $9 million, and the Chicago venue is expected to double that.

Tagged : Bacardi, Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants, E&J Gallo, Houlihan's, Landry's Inc, Stillhouse Spirits, Wine Spectator

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