News Briefs for September 12, 2012
September 12, 2012•The Macallan single malt Scotch is introducing four new cask-strength whiskies under its Masters of Photography series this fall. They include a 1991 Sherry Oak Puncheon (50.8% abv, 285 bottles produced), a 1989 Sherry Butt (56.6% abv, 285 bottles produced), a 1995 Sherry Oak Hoghead (59.6% abv, 145 bottles produced) and a 1996 American Oak Butt (55.5% abv, 285 bottles produced). Each bottle of the new releases—which are selling for $2,750 apiece—is paired with a signed print by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz. Owned by the Edrington Group, The Macallan is handled in the U.S. by Rémy Cointreau USA.
•West Coast Wine Partners (WCWP) has tapped Sonoma-based V2 Wine Group to market its recently acquired Valley of the Moon and Lake Sonoma brands in the U.S. Under the partnership, V2 will be charged with managing the distribution network for both brands. Valley of the Moon focuses on Sonoma varietals such as Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay in the $10-$20 a bottle range, while Lake Sonoma includes Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Dry Creek, the Alexander Valley and the Russian River Valley priced from $15 to $25. Both ranges were purchased by WCWP from F. Korbel & Bros. last month, for an undisclosed sum. Valley of the Moon and Lake Sonoma join V2’s existing 300,000-case premium-and-above portfolio, which also includes Dry Creek Vineyard, La Follette Wines, Lucinda & Millie Vineyards, Quivira Vineyards, Qupé Cellars, Steelhead Vineyards, Toad Hollow Vineyards and Torbreck Wines.
•Chicago-headquartered wine importer and marketer Vin Divino has added Alexander Valley-based Wattle Creek Winery to its portfolio, expanding its presence in domestic wine. Wattle Creek’s line, priced from around $15 and up, includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and a Rhône blend called Triple Play. Wattle Creek concurrently named Benjamin Williams, the son of owners Chris and Kristine Williams, as vice president of sales. Vin Divino, owned by Rome’s Angelini Group, has a portfolio spanning Italy, Austria, Spain and Chile, as well as B Cellars from California, which joined the stable in July.
•Tuscany’s Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi is aiming to enhance its presence in the U.S. market with two new executive appointments. Alessandro Lunardi has been named director, USA and South America, while Galen Crippin has been named export manager for the U.S. Lunardi joined Frescobaldi as Luce della Vite U.S. “brand champion” in 1997, and eventually rose to direct the entire Frescobaldi portfolio in the U.S. He will now add South America to his responsibilities. Crippin’s hire represents a new position within the company. He previously worked in sales for Wirtz Beverage and more recently for Vias Imports Ltd. as a regional manager. Frescobaldi’s brands include Ornellaia, Luce della Vite and Attems.
•E&J Gallo’s New Amsterdam gin has renewed sponsorship deals with six NFL teams across the country. The deals will see New Amsterdam featured throughout the stadiums of the New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings and Oakland Raiders, as well as in official team marks and logos for consumer retail promotions. Last year Impact “Hot Brand” winner New Amsterdam rose by 12% to reach 700,000 cases in the U.S. Gallo followed with New Amsterdam vodka last November.
•Sonoma County wine producer Truett-Hurst has teamed up with Safeway Inc. to launch its Evocative Wrapped Bottles line of wines. The bottles, designed in partnership with Kevin Shaw of Stranger & Stranger, are completely encased in wraps that “tell a story, give a recipe, or celebrate a special occasion,” targeting consumer engagement and gift-giving occasions. The Evocative Wrapped line features California varietal wines, including a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, North Coast Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and a California red blend, among others. Due on Safeway’s shelves this month, the line features brand names such as Fuchsia, Curious Beasts, Candells, Schucks and Bewitched. They are priced from $11.99-$29.99. Safeway will carry the nine Evocative SKUs nationwide; Truett-Hurst plans to launch eight more designs next spring.
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