News Briefs for August 20, 2024
August 20, 2024•Italy’s Mezzacorona is extending its Ventessa line with a low-abv Red Blend. The newcomer is made from Schiava and Teroldego grapes and comes in at 9% abv and 90 calories per serving, with no artificial sweeteners. Retailing at $12, Ventessa Red Blend is debuting nationally this fall. It joins Ventessa Pinot Grigio and Ventessa Pinot Grigio Rosé to round out Mezzacorona’s better-for-you offerings. Mezzacorona, handled by Prestige Wine Imports in the U.S., has annual volume of 950,000 cases, according to Impact Databank.
•The Wonderful Company—with wine brands including Justin Vineyards & Winery in Paso Robles, Lewis Cellars in Napa, and Landmark Vineyards in Sonoma—has appointed Steve Myers as president of its wine business. Myers comes to the group from Kirin-owned Distinguished Vineyards (including Markham Vineyards in Napa, MacRostie Winery in Sonoma, and Argyle Winery in Oregon, among others) where he spent the last 14 years, previously serving with Duckhorn and Beam Wine Estates. Wonderful Co. has also named John Holder as SVP of wine sales. Holder was most recently vice president of sales at Scheid Family Wines.
•Colorado-based Old Elk is introducing a new bottling in its Cask Finish series, a Straight Wheat Whiskey finished in French Limousin Cognac Casks. Old Elk’s Cognac Cask Finish Straight Wheat Whiskey is bottled at 95 proof. It’s distributed by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and is rolling out at retailers nationwide at a suggested price of $90 a 750-ml. bottle. Later this year, Old Elk plans to launch another new offering within the Cask Finish Series, using ruby Port casks and their Straight Rye Whiskey. The distillery’s Port Finished Bourbon last year ranked 15th among Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 Whiskies.
•New York State has legalized direct-to-consumer shipping for small distillers, cider-makers, and meaderies, permanently codifying the pandemic-era measure that first allowed for DTC sales. The measure covers both in- and out-of-state DTC sales with the new law taking effect in 90 days. According to the state, renewing DTC privileges for small producers will allow them to compete on a more even playing field with their larger, more widely distributed competitors. “With this new law, we are ensuring that New York remains a national leader in craft beverages, continuing to support our local businesses, tourism, and agriculture,” said New York governor Kathy Hochul.
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