News Briefs for February 1, 2018

•Beam Suntory and Stoli Group USA have settled their dispute over Stoli’s hiring last month of former Beam exec Rudy Costello as its new chief commercial officer. Both parties issued statements saying they’re pleased with the out-of-court resolution of the matter, in which Beam had claimed that Costello’s hiring violated a non-compete agreement he had with Beam Suntory. Stoli Group USA tells SND it’s glad the dispute has been resolved and that it will be business as usual moving forward with Costello as the company’s new CCO.

•Folio Fine Wine Partners has been appointed the national sales and marketing agent of the Russian River Valley’s Dutton-Goldfield effective immediately. Folio will represent the Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir ($45), Dutton Ranch Chardonnay ($40) and a selection of the limited-production, single-vineyard wines, including Rued Vineyard Chardonnay ($60), Walker Hill Vineyard Chardonnay ($60), Emerald Ridge Pinot Noir ($65), Fox Den Vineyard Pinot Noir ($65), and Cherry Ridge Vineyard Syrah ($50). Dutton-Goldfield marks the first Sonoma producer in the Folio stable.

•Moët Hennessy USA’s Chandon brand has debuted a new limited edition of its Sweet Star sparkling wine for the spring season. Rolling out now through May 15, Chandon Sweet Star’s limited edition packaging features a flower motif and is being distributed across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Illinois and Texas at a retail price of $26 a 750-ml. A demi-sec blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier made in the méthode traditionelle style, Chandon Sweet Star is suggested to be served on its own or as a cocktail base.

•Puerto Rico’s Destilería Serrallés has launched Don Q Double Aged Vermouth Cask Finish Rum to select retailers across the U.S. The 40%-abv rum is a blend of spirits aged five to eight years in American oak before a four to six week period of extra maturation in Mancino Vermouth Vecchio casks. Don Q Double Aged Vermouth Cask Finish Rum is now available in limited quantities for a suggested price of $49.99. Don Q sells more than a quarter-million cases annually in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.

Tagged : Beam Suntory, Chandon, Destilería Serrallés, Don Q, Dutton-Goldfield, Folio Fine Wine Partners, Moët Hennessy USA, Rudy Costello, Stoli Group USA

GET YOUR FIRST LOOK AT 2021 DATA AND 2022 PROJECTIONS FOR THE WINE AND SPIRITS INDUSTRIES. ORDER YOUR 2022 IMPACT DATABANK REPORTS. CLICK HERE.