News Briefs for April 15, 2025
April 15, 2025•The 14th edition of OperaWine kicked off Vinitaly, Italy’s signature wine fair in Verona, on April 5 against a backdrop of uncertainty and fear of a trans-Atlantic trade war sparked by President Donald J. Trump’s tariffs on European products. Yet for all the upheaval and changing headlines, the 131 top wine producers, all selected by Wine Spectator in cooperation with Vinitaly and trade group Veronafiere to pour their wines for select guests, showed a surprising degree of cool optimism that wine quality will win out over global events. Wine Spectator has the full story.
•Holistic Spirits Co., founded by Amy Holmwood and actor Woody Harrelson, has launched its Harmony Gin and Origen Specialty Vodka in California through Southern Glazer’s. The spirits retail at approximately $40 depending on the market and are debuting in select Total Wine & More stores in Southern California. Holistic, which recently received B Corp and Positive Luxury certifications, also distributes across New York, Florida, Washington D.C., Maryland, Massachusetts, Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Utah.
•California-based Sabé has launched a new canned Espresso Martini. The 14% abv cocktail comes in 4-packs of 250-ml. cans that carry a suggested price of $14. The new release joins the rest of Sabé’s RTD portfolio, which includes a Margarita, Moscow Mule, Grapefruit Paloma, and Mojito. Initially, the Espresso Martini will launch in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Washington, with further expansion planned for later this year. According to Sabé, the brand grew 76% in tracked channels last year.
•More uncertainty has roiled the economy and the whisky world at large, along with more jarring news of trouble on the craft whiskey front—including word that American single malt Westward Whiskey has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. While that sounds grim—bankruptcy isn’t exactly cause for celebration—Westward founder and CEO Thomas Mooney insists there’s a bright light at the end of this tunnel. Whisky Advocate has more.
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Tagged : Holistic Spirits Co., OperaWine, Sabe, Vinitaly, Westward
