Old Bridge Cellars Sues Rose & Arrow Over Trademark

Posted on May 31, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

When Columbia Hudson Ventures, a contract winery and bottler, ran into liquidity issues, it asked one of its clients, Old Bridge Cellars, to prepay a significant part of the price of wine to be produced.  To induce Old Bridge to do this, Columbia said it would assign to Old Bridge intellectual property rights in brands owned by Columbia.  Old Bridge agreed to the proposal, accepting the assignment of the “Rose and Arrow Art Work” design trademark logo.

After Columbia morphed into LM Wine Co., Old Bridge noticed that LM had begun to use the trade name “Rose & Arrow Estate” on labels of wine featuring the Rose & Arrow Artwork” mark.  Shortly thereafter, with the production contract being set to expire, LM said it would be willing to renew the contract — provided Old Bridge assigned to LM the “Rose & Arrow Artwork” trademark, which Old Bridge had paid to acquire from LM’s predecessor.  The tale gets more complicated, when Old Bridge realized the “Rose & Arrow Artwork had never been registered as a trademark.

The relationship between the parties deteriorated, and LM changed its name to Rose & Arrow LLC.  Meanwhile, Old Bridge sought cancellation of a registration for the Rose & Arrow Estate and sought a trademark to use Rose & Arrow on wine.  There followed mutual recriminations.

Now, Old Bridge seeks to resolve the matter, filing suit in federal district court to enjoin use of the Rose & Arrow Estate or any term similar to the Rose & Arrow Artwork mark for alcohol beverages produced or sold by LM.

We asked the attorneys for Rose & Arrow to respond, and will update this story when they do so.

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Bear Fight Single Malt Whiskey Launches

Posted on May 31, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

The Next Century Spirits brand is available in Colorado, Connecticut, North Carolina and New York.  “A much broader rollout to come in Fall 2022,” the company says in an announcement.

“The final flavor profile decision was made in order to create the most approachable, daily drinker American Single Malt in the world,” says Master Blender Nick Scarff, who has earned more than 130 medals in international tasting competitions for products he has developed. “The inspiration for this product came from a combination of a lifelong love affair with Scotch combined with the desire to prove that America could also produce top quality single malt whiskies.”

“We believe Bear Fight can create a new value proposition for consumers that shows amazing whiskey can be found in all categories and prices,” says Anthony Moniello, chief commercial officer. The brand (SRP: $39.99)  has been awarded gold medals across multiple international spirit competitions including: Double Gold at the World Spirits Competition in San Francisco, Best in Category at the World Whiskies Awards (the only American Single Malt under $150) and Double Gold at the New York International Spirits Competition (the only American Single Malt under $75), to name a few.

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Company Distilling to Open Its 1st New Distillery in July

Posted on May 31, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Company Distilling said it will open its first newly-constructed distillery in Townsend, Tenn., July 8-10. Throughout the weekend, guests can expect to experience live music, enjoy a cocktail, and tour the facility. The full product portfolio for Company Distilling will also be available to sample, including its Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished with maple wood, which hit the shelves last November as Company’s inaugural offering.

Since its founding in 2020, Company Distilling’s goal has been to create spaces where people can gather around and enjoy exceptional spirits.

“Our initial vision for Company Distilling was to be more than just a whiskey brand. We envisioned being a full portfolio spirits company, and we had a collective group experience that I thought brought different areas of expertise to the table. We were stronger together especially when we were thinking about doing more than just one thing,” says Jeff Arnett, Master Distiller. “I think one of the greatest things about where we are is the freedom that comes from being a small, nimble group of people controlling our own destiny.”

Kris Tatum, President, further elaborates on the togetherness aspects of Company. “We’re committed to living up to our promises. We have high expectations and a team that collectively has years of industry experience.  Our uncommon bond and friendships drive us to continue to make quality spirits that bring people together.”

Company Distilling is proudly partnering with local businesses to provide guests with an exceptional distillery experience that is unique to Blount County. Maryville-based restaurant, Amici, will have a permanent menu at the distillery, allowing visitors to gather with friends and enjoy delicious food and fine spirits. The new restaurant space will be called “Amico,” which means “a friend” in Italian.

The grand opening weekend festivities will include a concert on Friday night at 7 PM featuring Southerland and a concert on Saturday night at 7 PM featuring The Coveralls.

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Lake County Winegrape Commission Plans New Ad Campaign

Posted on May 31, 2022 by Joel Whitaker
Lake County (Calif.) Winegrape Commission‘s new campaign features a dusty cowboy riding through rows of mountain grapes, suggesting that the grapes in Lake County are “never picked,” but rather “wrangled.” In addition, the advertisement states that grapes have been “raised on volcanic lava milk…ever since they were babies”— a nod to the region’s young volcanic soils.
“We look forward to highlighting Lake County in a way that sets the region apart from other winegrowing areas. The new branding embodies the unique nature of volcanic growing conditions to capture the attention of wine enthusiasts seeking a surprising alternative,” said Megan Hoberg, Marketing & Events Manager of the Lake County Winegrape Commission.
Volcanic wines have seen a dramatic increase in market popularity and demand in recent years as consumers seek out new and unique options. Surrounded by volcanoes — Mount Konocti, Cobb Mountain, Mount Hannah, and the Mayacamas — the area is rich in lava dome complexes, geothermal activity, black obsidian, cinder cones, and maars of basaltic-to-rhyolitic composition. Dispelling the myth that “a grape is just a grape,” Lake County clearly positions the region as one that owns the very definition of higher altitudes, volcanic soils, and rugged mountain grapes — producing wines with a truly distinct, intense, and recognizable personality.
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Cool Cat Intros Limited Edition Pride Packaging

Posted on May 31, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

June is National LBGTQ+ Pride Month, and Cool Cat, a line of gay-founded, owned and operated low-calorie wine spritzer cocktails, will introduce limited edition Pride-theme packaging to commemorate June as National LGBTQ+ Pride Month.  The rainbow-themed 4-packs of 12oz cans will be available for purchase in select on- and off-premise accounts in New York, California, Florida, Connecticut, and online at drinkcoolcat.com.

In addition to the limited-edition cans, Cool Cat will donate $10,000 to The Center in New York, which provides vital programs and services for the local LGBTQ+ community, including advocacy, health and wellness programs, arts and entertainment and cultural events, recovery, parenthood, and family support.

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Bar Convent Brooklyn to Offset Its Physical Footprint

Posted on May 31, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Bar Convent Brooklyn is collaborating with Barr Hill, a Vermont distillery, to offset 100% of the show’s 73,000-square-feet physical footprint by planting and maintaining 73,000 square feet of new pollinator footprint, creating a life source for bees which are responsible for one-third of all agricultural products uses in the bar and beverage industry.

Bar Convent also plans to plant 10 trees for every person who attends the trade show, partnering with Trees for the Future to do this. Among other sustainability initiatives it plans, it will compost cocktail waste throughout the event, provide additional recycling bins and use recyclable cups and cutlery.

Barr Hill will be offering an observation beehive experience during the show on June 14 and 15. Attendees can come by the Barr Hill booth in the venue’s courtyard to see, taste, and learn more about the distillery’s efforts with sustainability first-hand.  Barr Hill uses raw honey to make its spirits, including Barr Hill Gin, the most awarded American-made gin, and the distillery is an advocate for bee populations and beekeepers.

Bar Convent Brooklyn will take place June 14 and 15 in Industry City, Brooklyn, NY.

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