News Briefs for April 4, 2012
April 4, 2012•Florida-based importer Indigo Wine Group is launching South African wine brand Lion’s Lair in the U.S. Produced by Leeuwenkuil, a family-owned Cape Town winery located in South Africa’s Swartland viticultural area, Lion’s Lair’s initial U.S. offerings will include Family Reserve White (a blend of Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Verdelho and Clairette) and Family Reserve Red (a blend of Shiraz, Mourvedre, Grenache and Cinsault). Both wines will roll out into 20 U.S. markets over the next two months, priced at around $15 a bottle. Lion’s Lair joins Indigo’s existing portfolio, which is focused on South Africa through the Groot Constantia, Barista, Bon Cap and Reyneke brands, among others.
•Sonoma’s Rodney Strong Wine Estates has named Colleen Brennan as vice president, national on-premise accounts. Brennan most recently served as director of global accounts and on-premise marketing specialist for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. In her new role, based in Texas, she’ll manage Rodney Strong’s national multi-unit restaurant business. Rodney Strong Wine Estates includes Rodney Strong Vineyards, a former Impact “Hot Brand” that specializes in super-premium wines from the Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley, Chalk Hill and Sonoma Coast appellations, and Davis Bynum Winery, focused on Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Rodney Strong label sells over 800,000 cases in the U.S. annually.
•Heineken USA is backing its Newcastle Brown Ale brand with a new national advertising campaign under the tagline “No Bollocks.” The campaign, created by ad agency Droga5, marks the first time the brand has invested in national TV ads, which were shot on location in Newcastle, England. Launched in recent days, the new positioning plays up the brand’s heritage and also includes digital and in-bar advertising. The largest U.K. beer import in the U.S., Newcastle sells over 7.3 million (2.25-gallon) cases a year.
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