News Briefs for March 27, 2024

•Johnson Brothers has expanded its partnership with California’s Domain HWH, introducing The Mascot label into four new markets: Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and West Virginia. These states join existing partnerships between the two companies in Minnesota and North Carolina. The Mascot is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon made with fruit sourced from multiple Harlan family-owned properties across Napa Valley, including Harlan Estate, Bond, and Promontory. The Mascot will be managed by Oxford Street Merchants, Johnson Brothers’ luxury organization.

•Proximo Spirits has launched Jose Cuervo Raspberry Colada, the latest ready-to-serve cocktail in the company’s line of Jose Cuervo Authentic Margaritas. The 9.95% abv cocktail is made with Cuervo Tequila, triple sec, and raspberry flavoring and comes in 1.75-liter bottles. It carries a suggested price of $20 a bottle and is now available across the U.S. Last year, Jose Cuervo’s portfolio of Margaritas was at 2.57 million cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.

•Champagne Bollinger is introducing two new prestige cuvées: La Grande Année 2015 and La Grande Année Rosé 2015. Pinot Noir is the backbone of both wines, comprised of roughly 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. La Grande Année 2015 retails at $268 a bottle, and derives 79% of grapes from Grand Crus and 21% from Premier Crus. La Grande Année Rosé 2015 ($307) is derived 81% from Grand Crus and 19% from Premiers Crus. Both wines are available nationwide and in specialty retailers.

•Superbird is launching a new range of RTDs, including Tequila Sodas and Tequila Cocktails. The Tequila Sodas retail at $22 an eight-pack and come in pink grapefruit, lime, pineapple, and black cherry variants at 5% abv. The Cocktails retail at $12 a four-pack and include a Tequila Paloma and Tequila Sunrise at 5.9% abv. The new offerings from parent company Casa Komos Brands Group join Superbird’s existing Tequila, which includes Blanco, Reposado, and spicy Fuego expressions positioned at $30-$33. Superbird Premium Tequila, Tequila Sodas, and Tequila Cocktails are now present in 38 states.

•Louisville-based Michter’s is debuting its latest 10-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon in the U.S. next month. Selected by master distiller Dan McKee and master of maturation Andrea Wilson, Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon is a single-barrel offering that has a suggested retail price of $185 per 750-ml. bottle. In addition to Bourbon, Michter’s portfolio also includes rye, sour mash whiskey, and American whiskey.

•New Mexico’s Gruet winery is introducing Le Spritz ready-to-drink wine cocktails. The Le Fleuriste expression infuses elderflower, lemons, honey, wild roses, and spearmint, while L’Orangerie features Chinotto Orange, grapefruit extract, herbaceous bitters, and natural botanicals. The newcomers are rolling out at Gruet Albuquerque and Santa Fe locations as well as select Safeway, Target, and Food Lion locations nationally. Additionally, Gruet, which is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its first domestic wine release, has promoted company veteran Carrie Gurule to head winemaker.

•John G. Franzia, cofounder of Bronco Wine Co., passed away March 25 in Modesto, California at the age of 84. In 1973, he founded Bronco Wine Co. with his cousins, Fred T. and Joseph S. Franzia. A trained enologist from UC Davis, he helped Bronco pioneer state-of-the-art winemaking facilities and shape industry standards. “His dedication to viticulture and his expertise in enology were the cornerstone of our family business, shaping it into the success it is today,” said his son Michael J. Franzia, now the company’s chairman.

Tagged : Bronco Wine Co., Champagne Bollinger, Gruet, Johnson Brothers, Jose Cuervo, Michter's, Superbird

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