Suntory Debuts 2021 Limited-Edition Design Bottle of Hibiki Japanese Harmony

Posted on October 18, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

House of Suntory, the founding House of Japanese Whisky,  rekeases a specially-designed, limited edition bottle of Hibiki Japanese Harmony. Adorned with painted flowers and flowing ribbons of water, this one-of-a-kind bottle was designed to represent the vital force of Japan’s everchanging twenty-four seasons. This limited-edition bottle will be available in select global markets including the United States this month.

From its introduction in 1989, the Hibiki bottle is presented with 24 facets. The design symbolizes the 24 hours of a day, as well as the 24 seasons of the year in the traditional Japanese lunar calendar.

“The iconic Hibiki bottle has always been a representation of Japanese art and design, as represented by the many limited-edition series over the past ten years,” said Jon Potter, Managing Director of the House of Suntory. “This specially-designed bottle is not only the continuation of this artistic expression, it honors Hibiki and Suntory’s ethos to live in Harmony with nature. In 2021, this philosophy may echo with the world more than ever.”

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Barbara Winiarski, Co-Founder of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Dies

Posted on October 18, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

A native of Baltimore, Md., she met her future husband, Warren Winiarski, at St. John’s College in Annapolis where she was part of the first female cohort at the college.

The Winiarski’s purchase a prune orchard in Napa Valley in 1970.  That orchard became Stag’s Leap Cellars, and the first commercial release from the new winery, the 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon, would place first among red wines at the now-famous 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting.

The Winiarski’s were supporters of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History and helped establish the American Food & Wine Project in 1996.  In 2021 the Winiarski Family Foundation donated $4 million to establish a permanent curator of food and wine history at the museum.

They also provided a $50 million pledge to St. John’s College, their alma mater.  It was the largest gift in the history of the school and was intended to ensure affordable tuition for future students.  Structured as a challenge grant, it resulted in St. John’s raising $50 million in matching funds.

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Calif. Last-Resort Insurer to Boost Coverage Limits on Wineries

Posted on October 14, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

The California FAIR Plan, the state’s insurer of last resort, will increase its coverage limits, which have not been increased in more than 24 years, to keep up with inflation.  Currently  Earlier, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law allowing the FAIR Plan to insure farm structures.

The FAIR Plan’s maximum policy limit for its commercial property program is currently $4.5 million, and that policy limit has not been increased since at least 1997. The FAIR Plan maximum policy limit for its Businessowner’s Policy program is currently $3.6 million, and that policy limit has not been increased since at least 1994. The Consumer Price Index shows that costs have nearly doubled during that time in California.

“While wildfires can happen in many agricultural regions of the state, some parts of our state have borne the brunt of devastating fires starting in 2017,” said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. “With a tighter insurance market due to wildfire risks, many farmers and vintners need more coverage than they can currently get. I am taking aggressive action to protect our farmers, vintners, and other businesses immediately while local government, state government, insurers and businesses all work together to reduce the wildfire risk and increase a competitive insurance market.”

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Treaty Oak Distilling, Whiskey Myers Collaborate on a Bourbon

Posted on October 14, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Treaty Oak Distilling announced the launch of Treaty Oak Distilling and Whiskey Myers’ Red Handed Bourbon, a 95-proof (47.5% ABV) whiskey made to Treaty Oak Distilling’s specifications by Bardstown Bourbon Co/ in Kentucky, then aged for two years in Kentucky and Texas.

It will be available in Florida, George, Tennessee, Illinois, California and Texas Nov. 1.  It’s a collaboration between the Dripping Springs, Tex., distiller and Whiskey Myers, a country rock band.

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Boston Beer Sued Over Earnings Outlook

Posted on October 14, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Jakubowitz Law said it sued Boston Beer Co. alleging it made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Boston Beer’s hard seltzer sales were decelerating; (2) as a result, Boston Beer was reasonably likely to incur inventory write-offs; (3) the Company was reasonably likely to incur shortfall fees payable to third party brewers; (4) as a result of the foregoing, Boston Beer’s financial results would be adversely impacted; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, Defendants’ positive statements about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

Several other firms are in the process of teeing up similar suits.

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Fetzer Wine Flips Thanksgiving Script, Creates New #Friendsgiving Traditions

Posted on October 14, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Fetzer’s Thanksgiving campaign will be its biggest ever, the winery said.  “Here’s to #Friendsgiving” offers America’s most diverse generation yet comes to the table with new ways to connect – and new foods to favorite – this holiday.

The 360-degree “Here’s to #Friendsgiving” campaign will come to life across the U.S. beginning November 1, delivering a coordinated mix of social media programming, digital ads, influencer activations and consumer sweepstake at point of sale (POS) to drive home the message that Thanksgiving is what you make of it. To that end, engaging POS asking “What will you bring to the table?” will invite consumers to define their own traditions, and share them on social media.

Ensuring continuity with broader marketing initiatives, the campaign name itself is a seasonal, social take on the brand’s year-round tagline, “Here’s to Tomorrow.”

More than two-thirds of Millennials, a key audience for Fetzer, are concerned about consuming healthy foods, and fully 45% are likely to consider a meat-free Thanksgiving this year. A historically diverse cohort, they are purchasing and preparing a more diverse array of foods than any preceding group of Americans. Campaign visuals highlight these trends.

Fetzer is owned by Concha y Toro, which is traded only on the Santiago Stock Exchange

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