News Briefs for February 3, 2022

•Raventós Codorníu is adding two new California-grown wine labels—Blank Verse and Dirty Minded—to its portfolio. Blank Verse launches with a Central Coast Chardonnay from the 2020 vintage, set to retail at $18 a bottle, with Pinot Noir to follow. Dirty Minded, priced at $15 a bottle, kicks off with a 2020 Sauvignon Blanc. Both wines are now available at retailers across the U.S., with Blank Verse’s Pinot Noir and Dirty Minded’s Cabernet Sauvignon set to hit shelves in May.

•Willamette Valley, Oregon winery Panther Creek Cellars has partnered with San Francisco, California-based Third Leaf Wines for a national sales and marketing relationship. Third Leaf focuses on route to market execution for its portfolio of boutique wines and sake. Panther Creek, founded in 1986 by winemaker Ken Wright, specializes in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, sourcing from Oregon vineyards that include Kalita, Fir Crest, and French Creek, among others. It was acquired by Bacchus Capital in 2013.

•Sonoma, California-based wine and spirits négociant 3 Badge Beverage Corp. has promoted Richard Zeller as its next CEO. Zeller was previously COO and has worked with 3 Badge’s Sebastiani family since 1991 when he joined Sebastiani Vineyards as a district manager. Additionally, the company has hired Michael Braga as director of finance. He joins from Napa Valley grower and producer Hundred Acre Wine Group, where he was director of accounting. 3 Badge’s portfolio includes the Gehricke, Cedar + Salmon, and Guinigi wine brands, as well as Bozal mezcal, Pasote Tequila, and Uncle Val’s Botanical gin, among others.

•San Francisco-based importer Hotaling & Co. has promoted Stacey Klass to vice president and national sales manager, amid a host of sales team promotions. Previously, Klass served as the vice president of Hotaling’s central division. Additionally, the company has named Kathy Kain the regional sales manager of western control states and Jasmin Caverly to the same role for eastern states. Hotaling has also appointed Bobby Wegusen as the regional sales manager for the north central division, while also adding Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois to his territory. Finally, Marissa Huth has been named the state manager for Illinois. Hotaling says it saw 50% growth across its portfolio last year.

Tagged : 3 Badge Beverage Corp, Hotaling & Co., Panther Crek Cellars, Raventos Codorniu, Third Leaf Wines

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