News Briefs for March 29, 2021

•Edrington Americas has named Raul Gonzalez as managing director, USA, among a number of other appointments to its Americas leadership team. Gonzalez was previously executive vice president, commercial director for Edrington Americas. Additionally, Marcelo Colombo has been appointed vice president, regional marketing for Edrington Americas, having previously served as marketing vice president for The Macallan and on-premise national accounts. Company veteran Dave Stock has been named vice president, Canada, while Oscar Miranda, who joined Edrington last year, has been appointed managing director, Latin America. All of the above report to Edrington Americas president and CEO Chris Spalding.

•William Grant & Sons recently extended its Fistful of Bourbon brand into nationwide distribution. The brand is a mix of five Straight Bourbons blended by master blender Brian Kinsman and whiskey blender Kelsey McKechnie, and carries an abv of 45% and retail price of $25 a 750-ml. William Grant is backing the national launch with “The Search For the $100,000 Fist,” an initiative in which interested individuals may apply to have their fist appear in upcoming print, video, and social campaigns for the brand and sign a $100,000 contract.

•Italian wineries Ornellaia and Masseto have named Vianney Gravereaux as sales and marketing director effective April 1, replacing Tim Banks, who has been with the company for nine years. Gravereaux was previously international sales manager for Masseto. Prior to joining Masseto last year, his career included time with Philipponnat, Salon, and Peugeot Saveurs. Ornellaia and Masseto are part of the Frescobaldi portfolio. Lamberto Frescobaldi represents the 30th generation to head that family business, which is profiled in the April 30 edition of Wine Spectator.

•Sombra mezcal, part of the Davos Brands portfolio recently acquired by Diageo, is launching Reposé, billed as a first-of-its-kind reposado made with Sombra’s Espadin mezcal, aged in Bordeaux wine barrels. Sourced from Château Léoville Poyferré, a second growth wine estate in Saint-Julien, the barrels are filled with Sombra’s Espadin mezcal and aged for up to six months. Château Léoville Poyferré is owned by the family of Davos founder Guillaume Cuvelier. Sombra Reposé is launching nationally, retailing at $50 a bottle.

•Beam Suntory has released the first bottling of Booker’s Bourbon for 2021: Donohoe’s Batch. This iteration of the barrel-proof Bourbon is bottled after 6 years and comes in at 63.65% abv. Donohoe’s Batch is named for Mike Donohoe, a friend of Booker Noe and longtime top executive at Jim Beam. Booker’s Bourbon Donohoe’s Batch is now available in limited quantities across the U.S. for a suggested price of $90 a 750-ml.

•Los Angeles-based canned wine brand Nomadica, has named Tara Hannaford as COO. Hannaford previously served as vice president of sales at Casamigos Spirits Company. Before that, she spent time with Stoli Group USA, DeLeon Tequila, Peligroso Spirits, and Hawaii Sea Spirits. Nomadica markets a portfolio of canned wines including a red blend, rosé, and sparkling white and rosé wines. The company was founded in 2017 by Kristin Olszewski and Emma Toshack and aims to offer sustainable wines in eco-friendly packaging.

Tagged : Beam Suntory, Davos, Edrington Americas, Fistful of Bourbon, Masseto, Nomadica, Ornellaia, Sombra, William Grant & Sons

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