News Briefs for July 12, 2023
July 12, 2023•Italy’s Marchesi Antinori has completed its previously announced acquisition of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. The Antinori family has been involved in Napa Valley since 1985. “Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars confirms the strong belief of Antinori for this extraordinary territory,” the company noted. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is known for its three estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignons—CASK 23, S.L.V., and FAY—as well as Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon, Karia Chardonnay and Aveta Sauvignon Blanc. Antinori’s acquisition of the winery was originally announced in May.
•New Jersey-based Penelope Bourbon is releasing Toasted Rye Barrel Finish. Bottled at 100 proof, Toasted Rye is a 100% rye mash bill, finished in new, freshly toasted American oak barrels, marking it as the first Straight Rye Whiskey in Penelope’s Toasted series. Toasted Rye marks the first release following Penelope’s acquisition by MGP Ingredients for $100 million this spring and is a one-time release of 7,000 cases. It retails at $70 and is debuting at select retailers nationally.
•Proximo Spirits’ Gran Centenario Tequila has teamed up with Cristo Fernández, Mexican actor and former soccer player, for a new campaign promoting the brand and its association with the globally popular sport. The partnership will kick off at the ‘Summer of Fútbol’ with a digital campaign called ‘Incuestionables.’ The national campaign consists of lighthearted videos of Fernández and highlighting the popularity of Gran Centenario. This new partnership furthers the brand’s embrace of soccer, including its existing partnerships with the Mexican National Team and Club América.
•Cleo Pahlmeyer, proprietor of Wayfarer Vineyard, located in the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, plans to open a winery and tasting room in Healdsburg, Calif. in July 2024. Located on Grove Street, the building will be renovated to house Wayfarer’s winemaking and hospitality for its estate-grown Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Established in 1998 by Jayson Pahlmeyer, Wayfarer has been led by his daughter Cleo since 2017. Todd Kohn was named winemaker the same year.
•Tepache Sazón, a new commercially produced version of the traditional Mexican drink Tepache, has launched in the U.S. The 7% abv fermented drink is made in San Pancho, Nayarit from pineapples, raw cane sugar, and canela (Mexican cinnamon). Sazón is packaged in 375-ml. bottles and is available in 4-packs for around $24 in select locations across the U.S. Tepache Sazón is imported to the U.S. by Back Bar Project.
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