News Briefs for October 22, 2015

•A coalition of Colorado retailers is mounting a push for a ballot initiative aimed at allowing wine and full-strength beer in supermarkets. Safeway, Walmart and King Soopers (Kroger) have aligned under the “Your Choice Colorado” banner to seek approval for creation of “food store” liquor licenses, according to a report in the Denver Post. The licenses would be available to businesses where food accounts for 25% or more of sales (including gasoline). The coalition is expected to ask for no limit on the number of food-store liquor licenses a business can hold, and spirits may also be included in the initiative. Currently, grocery and convenience stores in Colorado can only sell beer with up to 3.2% abv.

•In recent days, the Skalli Family agreed to sell Napa’s St. Supéry Vineyards and Winery to Chanel, Inc., the global fashion firm, in a deal including the Rutherford winery and 1,500 acres of land split between two estates. Wine Spectator caught up with St. Supéry CEO Emma Swain to discuss the future of the Napa franchise and Chanel’s plan for long-term growth.

Tagged : Colorado, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery, Wine Spectator

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