News Briefs for October 18, 2023
October 18, 2023•E.&J. Gallo has partnered with actress and producer Issa Rae to launch Viarae, a new Prosecco. The vintage sparkling wine is made from 100% Glera grapes grown in Treviso, Italy and made by the La Marca cooperative. According to the company, the wine’s label design is inspired by the spirit of Italy, 1978, and features a brown label with gold lettering. Viarae is now available in select on-premise accounts and retailers across the U.S., carrying a suggested retail price of $19 a 750-ml.
•Opici Wines & Spirits has unveiled its leadership team following its acquisition of Pacific Highway Wines, which created a new million-case company. Under Don Opici as CEO, former Pacific Highway president Mark Giordano holds the same role at Opici. Stefano Francini takes on the newly created role of vice president, sales strategy, while Jerry LaVecchia moves over from Pacific Highway and is promoted to vice president, sales – national wholesale. Rachel Roberts has been named vice president, national accounts, while John Mihm has become vice president, operations. Additionally, Amanda Panicali becomes vice president, marketing and Angela Slade is vice president, communications.
•Kavalan Single Malt Whisky, imported by Hotaling & Co., has reintroduced the distillery’s Single Cask Strength Series to the U.S. This marks the first release of the series to the U.S. since 2018. The current lineup features four whiskies: Kavalan ex-Bourbon Cask Strength, Oloroso Sherry Cask Strength, Vinho Barrique Cask Strength, and Port Cask Strength. The ex-Bourbon cask whisky retails for $200 a bottle and the remaining three retail for $250. The range is currently rolling out to select retailers in California, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, Florida, Arizona, Illinois, Washington, Georgia, and Hawaii.
•Brown-Forman has announced the 2023 Master’s Collection release from Woodford Reserve. This year’s limited edition—Sonoma Triple Finish—is a blend of Woodford Reserve Bourbons that have matured in Pinot Noir, brandy, and used Bourbon barrels that matured red wine and is bottled at 45.2% abv. The limited edition whiskey is now available at the Woodford Reserve distillery and is rolling out to select retailers across the U.S. for a suggested price of $150 a bottle.
•Teremana Tequila is launching a charitable holiday campaign, Mana for a Cause, with Another Round, Another Rally (ARAR). The brand is donating $250,000 to ARAR to provide support to local bartenders and hospitality workers across the country, while encouraging patrons to support on-premise establishments during the holiday season. Under the push, noted bartenders and bars including Jeffrey Morgenthaler of Pacific Standard Bar (Portland, OR), J’Nai Williams of Pretty Magic Cocktails (New Orleans), and Meaghan Dorman of Dear Irving (New York) among others will be serving up distinctive Teremana cocktails. Teremana is now above 1 million cases in the U.S. market.
Subscribe to Shanken News Daily’s Email Newsletter, delivered to your inbox each morning.Tagged : Brown-Forman, E.&J. Gallo, Hotaling & Co., Kavalan, Opici Wines & Spirits, Pacific Highway Wines, Teremana Tequila, Viarae, Woodford Reserve
