News Briefs for June 30, 2021
June 30, 2021•Following a year of particularly strong growth, California’s Wente Family Estates has announced that it will expand to a new warehouse facility. According to the company, growth in 2020 was driven by consumer interest in Morning Fog Chardonnay, Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon, and Wetmore Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. The company’s namesake Wente Vineyards saw sales increase 11% and depletions rise 9% for 2020. According to Impact Databank, Wente Vineyards depleted 440,000 cases last year. Wente reports that 2021 sales are continuing strong, with the company seeing growth even against difficult comps created by pantry-loading during the early part of the pandemic. In IRI channels, the company says its sales currently are up 21% over last year.
•On a gorgeous Tuscan summer day, Chianti Classico can look like a sleepy region resting on its history, but the region’s wine producers have been moving forward with major developments. The assembly of the Consorzio Chianti Classico, the official alliance of wineries, voted earlier this month on two important issues for the region. It agreed to formally recognize 11 subzones of Chianti Classico, known as Unità Geografiche Aggiuntive (“Additional Geographical Units”), or UGAs. Members also voted to stiffen the rules of wines in the Gran Selezione category. Wines in that elite category must now contain 90% Sangiovese, with the remaining grape varieties traditional to the region. Wine Spectator has more.
•Brown-Forman has kicked off its first global campaign for Herradura Tequila, titled “Extraordinary Awaits.” The campaign includes a 30-second ad created with Energy BBDO that features a woman bored at a party livening up her night with a Herradura cocktail. The ad features CGI animation and a custom music track from Squeak E. Clean Studios. The campaign will run on TV, social media, and as digital advertisements. In addition, the company commissioned murals by artist Carolina Nino. Last year, Herradura was up 7.5% to 229,000 cases in the U.S., according to Impact Databank.
•Champagne Telmont has been named official Champagne supplier of the Cannes Film Festival, which will run from July 6 through July 17 at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France. Telmont was acquired by Rémy Cointreau last year, with the company currently launching its full range in the U.S. The Cannes alignment will further boost visibility for the Champagne house, which produces about 400,000 bottles annually.
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