Deep Ellum Brewing Launches Ellum Ranch Patio Water

Inspired by the original West Texas cocktail, Ellum Ranch is a tart hard seltzer made with 3% real lime juice, salt, and natural electrolytes. Available now in 6-packs on shelves across Texas.

Why Patio Water?“Dallas isn’t exactly known for its Ranch life (or outdoors in general), so when we sat out to create a Ranch Water, we knew we couldn’t possibly pretend to be something we’re not. So, we put the Deep Ellum spin on it,” said Maksim Barkhatov, Owner of DACHA Studio and Creative Partner of Deep Ellum Brewing.

Posted in New Products | Tagged | Comments Off on Deep Ellum Brewing Launches Ellum Ranch Patio Water

Noble Vines Acts to Feed 1.5 Million Meals for Needy Kids

Noble Vines  said it will donate $1 to No Kid Hungry for every bottle of Noble Vines 337 Cabernet Sauvignon purchased, up to $150,000, with a minimum commitment of $75,000. Each $1 donation can provide up to 10 meals served to children in need, making it easy to pour good into the world while pouring yourself a glass of delicious wine.

One in six kids may face hunger in this country,” said Diana Hovey from No Kid Hungry. Noble Vines’ commitment to help provide up to 1.5 million meals for children will have a meaningful impact in communities around the United States and will support our efforts to help feed the 13 million children in this country who struggle with food insecurity.

“Noble Vines is committed to partnering with critical causes and inspiring goodwill as an integral part of who we are and who we serve,” said Ashley Larson, brand manager, Noble Vines.We
believe every kid deserves the safety of knowing where their next meal is coming from, and are honored to partner with No Kid Hungry and support their noble efforts to feed America’s most 
vulnerable: children.

Noble Vines began its focus on hunger relief in 2020 with partnerships supporting local food banks across the U.S., expanding that program from 19 states to 30 in 2021. This year, Noble Vines’ partnership with No Kid Hungry builds on those efforts to create opportunities for consumers nationwide to join them in supporting hunger relief. 

Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility | Tagged , | Comments Off on Noble Vines Acts to Feed 1.5 Million Meals for Needy Kids

Brown-Forman Promotes 4 to Senior VP, Announces 2 Retirements

Brown-Forman Corp. promoted four company veterans to Senior VPs and announced the retirement of Ralph de Chabert, Senior VP/Chief Corporate Citizenship Officer, effective July 1, and John Hayes, Senior Vice President/President, USA and Canada, effective Aug. 17.

The four are:

Tim Nall is Senior VP/Chief Global Supply Chain and Technology Officer. In this role, Nall is responsible for global production operations, global supply chain, research and development, quality assurance, external manufacturing, and all facets of the company’s information technology infrastructure to include advanced analytics, applications, and cybersecurity. Nall has served as Chief Information Officer since 2015. He joined Brown-Forman in 2000 in bottling and production operations.

Crystal Peterson will be named Senior Vice President/Chief Inclusion and Global Community Relations Officer effective June 15. In this role, Peterson will be responsible for stewarding the company’s progress and performance against its diversity and inclusion ambitions and realizing the full value diversity creates for Brown-Forman’s employees, partners, and communities. She will also lead the company’s commitment to enriching its communities, especially its hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Peterson joined Brown-Forman in human resources in 2012 and most recently served as a Vice President, Human Resources, supporting more than 2,600 employees in 23 countries.

Jeremy Shepherd will be named Senior Vice President and become President, USA & Canada effective July 15. In this role, Shepherd will lead the commercial organization in its largest and most valuable market and deliver upon the company’s strategic ambitions, including continuing to grow Brown-Forman’s premium tequila and whiskey brands, and to significantly accelerate the growth of its premium-plus brands. Shepherd, a 17-year veteran of Brown-Forman, previously served as Vice President, General Manager, for the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Alex Alvarez has assumed responsibility for a newly created position of Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer and Director of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance). In this new senior leadership role reporting to the CEO, Alvarez is responsible for developing and implementing an integrated ESG strategy that ensures Brown-Forman’s growth ambitions are environmentally and socially sustainable. In addition, he assumes responsibility for stewarding the company’s global alcohol responsibility efforts. Alvarez previously served as the Chief Production and Sustainability Officer.

Posted in Who and What | Tagged | Comments Off on Brown-Forman Promotes 4 to Senior VP, Announces 2 Retirements

DISCUS to Host Annual Conference June 8-10 in New Orleans

Themed “Stronger Together,” the conference will bring together a diverse group of top experts in their respective fields to identify challenges and opportunities facing the industry, and to share ideas on how to navigate the rapidly changing spirits marketplace and legislative landscape.

The conference kicks off with keynote speaker Tricia Clarke-Stone, a dynamic entrepreneur, innovative brand builder and author of “Double Down: Bet on Yourself and Succeed on Your Own Terms.” Clarke-Stone has spent two decades launching and leading businesses at the intersection of marketing, tech, media and entertainment.

Conference sessions will feature hot topics such as sustainability in an age of digital acceleration; beverage convergence in the alcohol sector; the evolving spirits marketplace; industry economics and emerging consumer trends; best practices in diversity, equity and inclusion; data privacy; and NFTs.

The popular “Innovation Showcase” will also be back at this year’s conference.  The Shark-Tank style competition gives entrepreneurial individuals and companies a platform to showcase their unique inventions — from packaging to spirits products — before a panel of judges.

For the third year in a row, DISCUS will also be celebrating the best and the brightest in the spirits industry at an awards luncheon honoring recipients of the DISCUS Lifetime Achievement Award; DISCUS Impact Award for Emerging Leaders; DISCUS Dave Pickerell Memorial Craft Member of the Year Award; and DISCUS Humanitarian Service Award.

The conference will also include festive events, including a parade down Bourbon Street, as well as multiple networking opportunities and a dynamic trade show with exhibitors representing all facets of the industry.  Info: www.distilledspirits.org/conference/.

Posted in Events | Tagged | Comments Off on DISCUS to Host Annual Conference June 8-10 in New Orleans

Who & What —

KLG Public Relations adds three new clients: Dos Hombres Mezcal, St. George Spirits and Banfi Vintners.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Who & What —

What We’re Reading —

Russia takes over Champagne and Cognac: Has intellectual property become a geopolitical battlefield?

New Russian legislation on geographical indications forces importers of Champagne to relabel their products as “sparkling wine.”  (Lexology)

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on What We’re Reading —