Industry Insights

Portugeuse Imports On The Rise

When it comes to Portugeuse wines, growth in value has grown consistently and internationally over the past couple of years; with the United States leading as major player in value exportations, as reported by ViniPortugal.In 2018, the total global exportations from Portugal grew by 3% in value, surpassing the previous €800 million barrier, achieving a sum of €803.335 million.

Next Century Spirits Scales to 1,000 Proof Gallons Per Day Production

Next Century Spirits, an advanced technology company that specializes in the creation and processing of distilled spirits and wine for private label, bulk, and craft markets, announced today the scaling of its Durham, NC production facility to 1,000 proof gallons per day.

Established less than one year ago, Next Century produces oak-matured, high-quality spirits in hours rather than years.

Theobald & Oppenheimer Partners with LNJ Brands; Hires Kyle Harder

Theobald & Oppenheimer today announced a new distribution partnership with LNJ Brands to expand the presence of Single Prop Rum within the New York market. Complementing the partnership, Theobald & Oppenheimer announces a new hire, Kyle Harder, as Brand Director.

The rum, which is sourced from the Caribbean and blended with real coconut water, launched in the Pennsylvania market in April 2018.

Silverado Appoints Bianca Lucchetti NorCal Sales Manager

Silverado Vineyards has appointed Bianca Lucchetti as Northern California Sales Manager, reporting to Kimberli Rogers, Sales Director, West. “Lucchetti will be responsible for developing and maintaining strong relationships with these accounts in addition to working with our distributor partners and their sales forces to achieve targeted points of distribution for Silverado Vineyards,” Rogers said in making the announcement. “We are delighted to have Lucchetti join Silverado Vineyards”.

Texas Senate Bill To Promote Free Market for Package Store Ownership

Legislation introduced in the Texas Senate would remove a decades-old anticompetitive and unconstitutional limit on package store ownership and promote a free and fair market in Texas.

State Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, has introduced Senate Bill 645 that would remove the limit on package store ownership and the so-called “consanguinity loophole.”

Fernet Branca Gets New CEO

Fratelli Branca announced the appointment of spirits industry executive, Steve Brecher to Chief Executive Officer of new venture Branca USA.  The appointment comes on the heels of the Milan-based company’s announcement to create their own import company in the U.S. in early 2019.

Brecher most recently was President of Infinium Spirits.  Previously, he held a series of senior marketing, commercial and strategy roles at Diageo in the U.S. and overseas.

What 8 Years in the Desert Really Represents

When Dave Phinney sold Prisoner Wine to Huneeus Vintners in 2010, the $40 million deal included a non-compete clause prohibiting the winemaker to work with that grape on other brands for eight years. Huneeus grew the Zinfandel-based red blend brand further and later sold it to Constellation Brands for a whopping $285. Over the those clause-cluttered eight years, Phinney wasted no time. Since The Prisoner sale he has created and sold his conceptual Locations Wine for a non-disclosed amount, as well as the Orin Swift brand–both to Gallo, and he remains the winemaker on both labels. Phinney also launched Savage & Cooke Distillery on Mare Island, off the coast of San Francisco…

The Somm’s Role in Building Relationships: Granville’s Christina Sherwood

New Jersey-born Christina Sherwood is the wine director at Granville Restaurants. The group spans locations in Studio City, Burbank, Glendale and West Hollywood, all located in California. We met Christina in the West Hollywood, Los Angeles location where the group was hosting a reminder for press of just how fantastic its food, wine, cocktail and beer menus are. Christina is a Certified Silver Pin Sommelier (North American Sommelier Association), since 2016 and much like the restaurant in which we met her…

Premium Spirits Spur Massive Growth

According to the Distilled Spirits Council, sales continue the dramatic upward trend with a record eighth consecutive gain of market share — capturing 36.2 percent of revenue compared to beer and wine. Distilled spirits supplier revenue is up four percent over 2016 driven largely by high-end and super premium spirits products. Consumers are embracing the cocktail scene with the innovation and experimentation that spirits invite. This trend is not just evident in the United States — U.S. spirits, particularly American…

Southern Glazer’s Corporate Training Now Includes French Wine Scholar Program

Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, the largest wine and spirits distributor in North America, has adopted the Wine Scholar Guild’s French Wine Scholar study & certification program to train its employees on the wines of France. Currently, 23 Southern Glazer’s employees have earned the FWS title and post-nominal with 140 more mid-study. “France is one of the most important wine-producing countries on earth,” states Eric Hemer, MW, MS, Senior Vice President and Corporate Director of Wine, Southern Glazer’s.

Artisanal Brewers Collective’s Noah Regnery Says “Be Authentic”

The on-premise business is not an easy one. Occasionally, however, we meet serial success restaurateurs and can’t help but wonder what they’re doing that others are not.  Among LA’s newest arrivals are Cornwall-themed English pub, The Stalking Horse Brewery & Freehouse, on Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles, and spacious urban, light-filled 6th & La Brea, located in the epicenter of Los Angeles. Artisanal Brewers Collective, the group which launched these two brewery…

How The Brands You Stock Connect With Consumers

So many alcohol brands, and so little shelf space. How is a brand to break through the clutter, grab the consumer and make a connection? Natasha Swords, Bonfort’s Editor in Chief reports. From a retailer point of view, it’s important to understand the overall process of brand marketing. Next time a big brand asks you for more space behind the bar, or better positioning near the cash register…