News Briefs for June 9, 2017

•Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits tells SND it will vigorously defend its Redemption Bourbon brand in the face of a trademark infringement claim lodged by Diageo’s Bulleit. Calling the suit “devoid of any merit whatsoever,” Deutsch president Tom Steffanci said Redemption’s recent repackaging was “thoughtfully designed to reflect and highlight a lawful trademark and to differentiate this whiskey. We will not only vigorously oppose Diageo’s lawsuit, but we will also continue to defend the integrity of the Redemption brand against any unfair linkage and/or association with Bulleit, or any other competitive product.”

•Diageo has launched the Orphan Barrel Archive Collection, a limited-edition set of American whiskies that includes full-size bottles of the Barterhouse, Old Blowhard, Lost Prophet, Rhetoric 21-year-old, Forged Oak and Whoop & Holler labels. The Orphan Barrel Archive Collection is packaged in a wooden crate and retails at $1,500. Whisky Advocate has more.

•Rosé S’il Vous Plaît, a new rosé wine cocktail brand, has debuted in the New York and New Jersey markets. The first offering from Rosé S’il Vous Plaît is a Rosé Mimosa, a 9.5%-abv cocktail made from a base of Languedoc-Roussillon rosé infused with natural grapefruit and orange flavors. Retailing at $15 a bottle, the brand was founded by Pierrick Bouquet and Derek van Bakergem, known for their La Nuit en Rosé and Pinknic rosé-centered events. Rosé S’il Vous Plaît is slated to expand to California and Florida this fall.

•Napa Valley–based Gamble Family Vineyards has tapped Epic Wines & Spirits as its exclusive California distributor, effectively immediately. In its new partnership with Epic, which is owned by Bill Foley and curates a luxury portfolio of wine, spirits and craft beers, Gamble Family Vineyards looks to increase its presence in high-end restaurants and retailers throughout the state. As Epic takes over its California distribution, the winery will focus on expanding its portfolio of Bordeaux varietal wines available for national distribution. American Wine & Spirits previously distributed Gamble Family Vineyards in California.

Tagged : Bulleit, Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, Diageo, Epic Wines & Spirits, Gamble Family Vineyards, Orphan Barrel Whiskey Project, Redemption, Rose s'il vous plait

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