News Briefs for March 6, 2018
March 6, 2018•Diageo has renamed its Tennessee-based George Dickel Distillery as Cascade Hollow Distilling Co., and appointed Nicole Austin as general manager and distiller. Cascade Hollow will continue to be the home of the George Dickel Tennessee whiskey brand, as well as “future innovation spirits,” Diageo noted. Austin, who was previously master blender at Kings County Distillery and most recently project commissioning engineer at William Grant & Sons’ Tullamore Dew distillery in Ireland, will lead the charge as Cascade Hollow looks to innovate under the George Dickel brand and launch new spirits from the distillery.
•Washington state’s wine grape crop was down 16% last year to 227,000 tons, according to the Washington State Wine Commission, but still matched 2014 as the second-largest total ever recorded. The average price per ton rose 3.5% to $1,198. Cabernet Sauvignon remains the top Washington wine grape, accounting for 62,200 tons, or 27% of the overall crop last year, while Chardonnay was second at 39,300 tons for a 17% share. Red varieties comprised 57% of Washington’s total wine grape crush in 2017, down 1% from the previous year.
•New Zealand’s Villa Maria, imported into the U.S. by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, has named Abe Salt as CEO, replacing founder Sir George Fistonich, who will continue in his role as president of the company and retain a hands-on role. Salt previously spent five years at Treasury Wine Estates as global head of strategy, and was most recently principal at Iron Gate Consulting, providing strategic counsel to the wine industry. Villa Maria sells more than 80,000 cases in the U.S. annually.
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