News Briefs for April 19, 2022

•The Macallan Distil Your World New York, Rossville Union Barrel Proof, and newcomers from Catoctin Creek and New Holland are among the offerings featured in Whisky Advocate’s latest weekly roundup. The magazine’s website has all the details.

•Napa Valley-based importer and marketer Demeine Estates is adding Barbaresco producer Cà Romé to its range, its first offering from Italy. Cà Romé is owned and operated by the Marengo family, today helmed by Giuseppe Marengo along with his siblings Paola and Maria. Demeine Estates will be importing the winery’s Barolo Rapet DOCG and the Barolo Cerretta DOCG; as well as the Chiaramati, Rio Sordo, and Maria di Brün Barbaresco DOCGs; and the Barbera d’Alba La Gameraja DOC to select markets.

•Tony Parker knew he wanted to get into the wine business after retiring from basketball in 2019. The four-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, who grew up around wine in France and continued his wine journey with the Spurs (often tracking down coveted bottles with head coach Gregg Popovich), recently invested with French businessman and longtime friend Michel Reybier to help grow three of Reybier’s brands. Wine Spectator has the full story.

•Bacardi has named Jeff Branson as vice president and general manager for Canada, reporting to Pete Carr, regional president of Bacardi North America. Branson is returning to Bacardi after two years working at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits as SVP of sales for the division dedicated to the Bacardi portfolio in North America. The transition to SGWS and return to Bacardi are part of a program between the two partner companies to accelerate talent development growth and create new leadership opportunities.

•Symington Family Estates has announced the en primeur release of three 2020 vintage Ports. They include limited editions from Warre’s, Graham’s, and Dow’s Quinta do Bomfim. Graham’s 2020 Bicentenary Edition Vintage Port is a blend of co-fermented grapes from high altitude and northwest facing vines across three of its four estates. Warre’s 2020 Vinhas Velhas 350th Anniversary Edition Vintage Port is made from horse-ploughed 80- to 100-year-old mixed vines, while Dow’s Quinta do Bomfim is produced from the high-lying vineyards at the estate located in the Cima Corgo. Only 3,000 bottles of the Graham’s expression and 2,400 bottles of Warre’s are being released, along with 1,200 bottles of Dow’s Quinta do Bomfim.

•Republic National Distributing Co. (RNDC) has appointed Megan Hooff to SVP, national and strategic accounts, responsible for initiatives related to on-premise sales strategy and execution for national accounts, as well as customer and supplier relations. She reports to Jenn Engel, chief commercial sales officer. Prior to joining RNDC, Hooff was vice president of on-premise national accounts for the Total Beverage Alcohol division at Constellation Brands.

•Matthew Sharp has been named general manager at Napa Valley’s Shafer Vineyards. Sharp steps into the position after five years as Shafer’s commercial director overseeing all aspects of domestic and global sales. Additionally, Jake Watson has been appointed national sales director at Shafer. Most recently he was southwest regional manager with Folio Fine Wine Partners, with prior experience at The Estates Group, Young’s Market Company, and American Wine and Spirits. Located in Napa Valley’s Stags Leap District, Shafer owns and farms more than 200 acres of vineyards.

Tagged : Bacardi, Ca Rome, Demeine Estates, Dow's, Graham's, Symington Family Estates, Warre's, Whisky Advocate, Wine Spectator

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