•American Whiskies Stand Out On Impact’s “Hot
Prospects” Spirits List
With U.S. consumers increasingly drinking across categories and drawing from a diverse repertoire of brands, Impact’s “Hot Prospects” list showcases the rising stars that are capturing their attention. In spirits, the Hot Prospects list is led by American whiskey this year, with the category claiming 10 entrants. Following close on whiskey’s heels is vodka, which, despite seeing a recent slowdown in the U.S., made a strong showing with eight winners. In total, 33 spirits brands were named Hot Prospects this year based on their 2017 performances, with 14 of them making their debut appearance. Read more.
•Pernod Ricard’s Campo Viejo Making Rapid Gains In
Rioja And Cava Segments
Pernod Ricard’s Spanish wine brand Campo Viejo has seen consistent double-digit U.S. gains in recent years, helping to drive growth for the Rioja segment in the market while also branching into Cava. The label’s still wines stood at just 105,000 cases in 2014, but last year depletions soared to 173,000 cases on growth of 19.4%. Meanwhile, its Cavas surged 76% to 30,000 cases. Read more.
•Carneros Standout Donum Estate To Double Capacity
With New Winery
The Donum Estate—high-end producer of single vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Carneros, Anderson Valley, and Russian River Valley—is set to bring production in-house beginning with the 2019 harvest, thanks to a new winery project currently in development. Donum president Anne Moller-Racke tells SND the roughly $6 million facility is expected to be completed by year-end and will handle all of Donum’s wine production. Currently, the Donum family of wines is produced at Santa Rosa’s Punchdown custom crush facility. Overall, Donum has seen an investment in the range of $30 million since being acquired in 2011 by a group of investors led by Hong Kong-based businessman Allan Warburg, co-founder of Bestseller Fashion Group China. Read more.
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•Texas Winemakers Look To Take Category To The Next
Level
Texas winemaking traces its roots to vineyards planted by Franciscan priests in the 17th century. But it wasn’t really until the 1970s when the state’s modern industry was born. Today, Texas has eight federally designated AVAs and more than 4,000 acres of bearing vineyards. Around 430 wineries are in operation, according to the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association (TWGGA), which reports that the Texas wine industry contributed $13 billion in total economic activity to the state last year. Read more.
•Whisky Advocate On Edrington’s Entry Into American
Whiskey
Edrington Group, the parent company of Macallan, Glenrothes, and Highland Park Scotch, announced yesterday that it has formed a “strategic partnership” with Wyoming Whiskey. The Kirby, Wyoming craft distiller’s Bourbon and other whiskies will become part of Edrington’s portfolio, which also includes The Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark blended Scotches, Brugal rum, Partida Tequila, and Snow Leopard vodka. Read more.
•Diageo To Boost Crown Royal’s TV Exposure Looking
Ahead
Diageo is backing its Crown Royal Canadian whisky brand with an increased media spend in the months ahead, including a push during the upcoming National Football League season, Ad Age reports. Last year, Crown Royal became the first spirits brand to run TV advertising during a regular season NFL game. This year, it’s renewing that effort with a new platform called “The Water Break,” which includes NFL stars like Brian Westbrook, DeMarcus Ware, and Ed Reed reminding consumers to hydrate and celebrate responsibly during their football parties this season. Read more.
•Angel’s Envy Reportedly Laying Plans For New
Distillery
Angel’s Envy Bourbon, part of the Bacardi portfolio, is reportedly planning a new distillery project in Henry County, Kentucky. The proposed facility will sit on 350 acres of land and include five warehouses capable of storing up to 225,000 barrels of maturing whiskey. According to documents obtained by local news outlet WDRB, construction is set to begin next year with the first warehouse and continue for five to eight years. Read more.
Top News Briefs:
•Kent Rosenblum, an iconic winemaker and passionate advocate of California Zinfandel, died unexpectedly September 5.
•MGP Ingredients has announced the launch of Series II, the second annual release from its Remus Repeal Reserve line of whiskies.
•Beam Suntory is considering a $101.7 million expansion at its Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, Kentucky, according to documents filed with the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA).
•Pabst Brewing Company has announced a slew of changes to its executive team, effective immediately.
•Founders Brewing Co. has expanded into the Colorado market.
