News Briefs for April 20, 2023

•California’s Sonoma-Cutrer, part of the Brown-Forman portfolio, has launched Simply Cutrer, the first canned wine from the brand. The 13.9% abv wine was made from grapes sourced across California and comes in 4-packs of 250-ml. cans. Simply Cutrer is currently available through the brand’s website for $20 a 4-pack as well as in retail shops in Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin, with additional markets to follow later this year. Sonoma-Cutrer recently earned Impact “Hot Brand” honors after growing 17% to 543,000 cases in the U.S. last year.

•Molson Coors has introduced Peace Hard Tea, the newest RTD in the brewer’s partnership with the Coca-Cola Company. The non-carbonated hard tea will come in three flavors—More Peace More Lemon, Freedom of Peach, and Really Really Razzy—all at 5% abv and all available in 24-ounce cans in convenience stores across the U.S. Peace Hard Tea follows the companies’ ventures into the flavored alcohol beverage market with Topo Chico Hard Seltzer and Simply Spiked.

•Mohari Hospitality, owner of Four Seasons resorts in Costa Rica and Spain, among other luxury properties, has acquired Tao Group Hospitality from Madison Square Garden Entertainment Group in a deal that values Tao at $550 million. To secure Tao, Mohari bought out MSG’s majority stake as well as the shares of other investors and will now run Tao in partnership with Noah Tepperberg and Jason Strauss, co-CEOs. While MSG is selling its stake in Tao, the companies will continue to work together with Tao providing consulting services at both New York’s Madison Square Garden and Las Vegas’ Sphere. In addition to its namesake brand, Tao is known for brands including Hakkasan, Omnia, Marquee, Lavo, and Little Sister. The deal is expected to close in May.

•Charleston, South Carolina-based Total Beverage Solution has added Hinch Irish Whiskey and Ninth Wave Irish Gin to its portfolio. The company will bring two of Hinch’s whiskies to the U.S.: Hinch Small Batch Bourbon Cask, aged four years; and 5-Year-Old Double Wood, aged in a combination of Bourbon and sherry casks. The distillery is located at Killaney Estate, County Down, Northern Ireland. Both Hinch Irish Whiskey and Ninth Wave Irish Gin will be available in the U.S. beginning May 1.

•U.K.-based canned cocktail company Funkin is rolling out its namesake brand in the U.S. The brand, imported by Park Street and currently distributed in California and Florida by Southern Glazer’s, comes in 200-ml. cans at 5% abv each. Funkin is launching in the U.S. with three flavors—Piña Colada, Passion Fruit Martini, and Strawberry Daiquiri—all using the company’s nitro distribution system said to create a unique texture and blend for the cocktails straight from the can. Four-packs of Funkin’s cocktails carry a suggested price of $14.

Tagged : Coca-Cola, Funkin cocktails, Hinch Irish Whiskey, Mohari Hospitality, Molson Coors, Sonoma-Cutrer, Tao Group, Total Beverage Solution

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