Alcohol-Free Marketplace Lists Top 5 Alcohol-Free Wines

Posted on May 11, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Leading the Better Rhodes list is Luminara Non-Alcoholic Napa Red Blend ($23.99) followed by Noughty Alcohol-Free Sparkling Chardonnay ($21.99), Leitz NV Eins Zwei Zero Sparkling Rosato ($20.99), Buonafide 0.0 Dry Taste Sparkling Rosato ($@)>((), and Pierre Zero Rose ($18.99).

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Yet Another Sonoma Winery to Fold

Posted on May 11, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Sonoma’s largest downtown winery, Sebastiani Winery will be closed by Foley Family Wines.  But administrative offices and tasting room will remain open.

“This is not a spot that anyone would choose to locate a modern winery,” Foley President Shawn Schiffer told the Index-Tribune. “A variety of factors (have) led us to the conclusion that the Sebastiani site is not the right place to bear a large share of our manufacturing needs. The size and layout of the facility as well as environmental concerns like the encroachment of the surrounding residential neighborhood and public access trail all played a part in our decision.”

Schiffer said that the site and its surrounding neighborhood have struggled with issues of truck traffic. “The neighbors have been very patient,” he said, citing some recent issues that included a Sebastiani truck knocking down a fire hydrant, as well as environmental concerns.

The Foley-owned Ferrari-Carano facilities at Dry Creek and Alexander Valley in Healdsburg will take over the bulk of the production for the Sebastiani label.

The Sebastiani Winery is largely a union shop.  Union representatives suggested Foley wants to transfer production — but not union workers — to another site.  “Or maybe they plan to give everyone a severance and then reopen with temporary (non-union) workers.”

The Sebastiani winery was founded in Sonoma in 1904. Wine production has occurred continuously at the site since 1904, including through Prohibition and the Depression, according to the winery’s website.

 

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Templeton Rye Unveils New Product

Posted on May 11, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Templeton Distillery unveils a global packaging redesign for its entire award-winning American Rye whiskey portfolio. The new design will roll out in the USA and all 750ml international markets across June, while the EU and Australia will see an August launch in 700ml size.

To coincide with the new branding, Templeton has also announced the launch of the newest addition to its core portfolio – Templeton 10 Year Reserve Rye Whiskey. A unique offering with each release bottled from a hand-selected and uniquely numbered single barrel. The whiskey is aged a full decade in charred new American oak barrels, resulting in flavor notes of smooth, dark oak with honeyed floral tones and classic rye spice. Non-chill filtered and bottled at 52% ABV, this exciting addition to the Templeton portfolio has already been awarded a Double Gold Medal at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition in May.

Co-Founder Keith Kerkhoff noted, “All of us at Templeton Distillery are really excited about the new look of our award-winning portfolio, in particular our new 10 year Reserve. Every good revival has a way of bringing history into the now, so the new 10 Year Reserve along with the 4 and 6 Year, will be featured prominently in refreshed packaging. We have big ambitions for both the Templeton Rye brand and Templeton Distillery, and we are looking forward to introducing this fantastic new packaging to our 40 International markets worldwide as well as continuing to build our global footprint as the Rye revival continues.”

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Licor 43 Extends U.S. Portfolio with a Vegan Cream Liqueur

Posted on May 11, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Licor 43 Horchata vegan cream liqueur has landed in America, marking the first brand extension in the U.S.from Licor 43, the best–selling Spanish liqueur in the world.

“For people who enjoy Licor43, and for those who appreciate the taste of high–quality cream liqueurs, we’re very excited to introduce Licor 43 Horchata here in the U.S.,” says Bill Corbett, CEO of Zamora Co. USA, the U.S. division of Madrid–based Zamora Co., the brand owner of Licor 43. “Over the past year, we’ve seen substantial growth for Licor 43 in the market, and this line extension will undoubtedly help increase that broad popularity and success of the brand.”

According to recent Nielsen figures, Licor 43 posted value growth of almost 29% in the U.S., compared to 25% growth in the overall cordial category. In 2020, Licor 43 was up 25.4%, and the company expects the brand to increase by 25% again this year, as Licor 43 approaches the 100,000–case milestone in the U.S.

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DISCUS Urges Texans to ‘Boot the Ban’ on 7-Day Spirits Sales

Posted on May 11, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. (DISCUS)  said the No. 26 Toyota Supra in the NASCAR Xfinity Series inaugural Pit Boss 250 at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) will “proudly carry the message that Texans should ‘Boot the Ban.”

The race will take place on Saturday, May 22.

The “Boot the Ban” campaign aims to remove the antiquated ban on distilled spirits sales on Sundays in Texas. The campaign urges Texas consumers to contact lawmakers to support legislation permitting seven-day sales of distilled spirits. Removing the Prohibition-era ban on spirits sales promotes a free market in Texas; increases consumer convenience; and allows local businesses to make their own decisions about when to open or close their stores, DISCUS said.

“Texas is a free-market state, but antiquated ‘blue laws’ on distilled spirits sales that forbid consumers and businesses from making their own choices threaten that freedom,” said Chris Swonger, DISCUS president/CEO. “Beer and wine are already sold seven days a week, and Texans like myself overwhelmingly support allowing spirits to be sold seven days a week as well. It’s time we boot the ban in Texas, support consumer choice and business freedom, and allow seven-day sales of spirits.”

“We are excited to be working with the Distilled Spirits Council to showcase their ‘Boot the Ban’ campaign at COTA,” said Sam Hunt, the 27-year-old owner of Sam Hunt Racing. “As a business owner and competitor, I understand the importance of a level playing field. We’re grateful for their support, and I hope we can help them achieve their goals.”

As part of the partnership, Sam Hunt Racing and DISCUS will also be joining forces on a public service announcement to raise awareness of impaired driving and encourage responsible drinking decisions.

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14 Hands Winery Relaunches Brand with New Labels

Posted on May 10, 2021 by Joel Whitaker

14 Hands Winery, the second largest winery in Washington State, said it relaunched the brand with new labels for its entire range, a refreshed digital presence, and a Find Your Wild campaign and sweepstakes aimed at helping consumers reclaim their weekends from the work-from-home sameness of the past year.

In this change, the labels for 750mL bottles have transformed from the original artwork of painted horses to black and white stylized photography of real wild horses, offering a great new look. In contrast, the canned wines feature the same photography of wild horses but are awash in bold, bright colors. The labels were designed in collaboration with Pearlfisher, a global brand design agency. The new packaging for the entire range is available now in stores nationwide and online.

14 Hands Winery is inspired by the untamed spirit of the wild horses that once freely roamed eastern Washington. Measuring a modest fourteen hands in height — a “hand” equivalent to the width of one’s palm — these tenacious horses would travel down from the hills every day to drink from the mighty Columbia River and graze along the riverbank, then retreat back to cool off at night.

“14 Hands Winery has been a hallmark of Washington wine since its inception in 2005, rapidly growing to its position today,” said Ste. Michelle Wine Estates President & CEO David Dearie. “The brand was ready for a revolution and we’re thrilled to share the new look and feel which really taps into the authenticity of our brand, something consumers are asking for. It’s the same great tasting wine crafted by talented winemaker Keith Kenison now in a great looking package,” Dearie continued.

The new look and feel will be complemented by the Find Your Wild campaign platform, which encourages consumers to rediscover their weekends again by ending the work week early on Fridays at 3 p.m. to pursue passion projects and fun adventures. The relaunch will also be supported by impactful out-of-home advertising, social media programming and influencer partnerships, national digital advertising, and robust public relations efforts.

To help consumers make the most of the extra time, the brand has also launched a Cash in on Your Wild sweepstakes that will pay out up to $50,000 in $100 reimbursements to approximately 500 people to help cover the cost of their adventures. Whether it’s supplies for a weekend camping trip, a karaoke session with friends, or the cost of that first drum lesson, 14 Hands Winery is helping consumers rediscover their weekend wild. To learn more and enter, visit 14Hands.com/wild or text WILD to 73876. Terms and conditions apply, no purchase necessary to enter.

In addition to the sweepstakes, a QR code on the back label of bottles and cans launches a unique quiz to help consumers select the perfect 14 Hands wine for their wild moments. The quiz helps consumers reduce confusion in the wine aisle and evaluates taste preferences and wine occasions to recommend the perfect 14 Hands wine to match.

 

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