Pernod Looks To Revive Jacob’s Creek With New Double Barrel Range

With sales of Jacob’s Creek flagging in recent years, Pernod Ricard USA is aiming to revitalize the brand with a new range called Double Barrel, which features wines finished in former whisk(e)y casks. Thus far, the Double Barrel series includes a Barossa Valley Shiraz finished for three months in Scotch whisky barrels and a Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon finished in Irish whiskey casks.

The new Double Barrel wines (both $20) are positioned between the Jacob’s Creek Reserve ($15) and Heritage ($35-$40) tiers. Double Barrel is now launching across 10 U.S. markets ahead of a national rollout.

Pernod is currently producing about 30,000 cases of Double Barrel for the global market. Jacob’s Creek chief winemaker Ben Bryant tells SND he’s aiming for an increase to 100,000-150,000 cases within a few years, potentially including new expressions. “We’re continuing to explore and play with other blends,” he says.

Like the Australian wine industry as a whole, Jacob’s Creek has been retrenching in the U.S. lately. Its volume hit a high-water mark of 1 million cases in 2007, but has since receded, slipping to 585,000 cases by 2015, according to Impact Databank. Jacob's Creek has long been Pernod's biggest wine brand in the U.S., just ahead of Kenwood, which is at around 450,000 cases.

Along with Double Barrel, Pernod is also looking to spark growth for Jacob’s Creek with its Two Lands tier ($12), which debuted a year ago. The Two Lands wines are crafted to have a more California-esque taste profile. Bryant says he will also be cultivating Jacob's Creek's high end, with Chardonnay and Barossa Shiraz representing key opportunities to show off Australia’s ultra-premium potential.

Pasqua USA Adds To Brand Stable, Eyes Upmarket Expansion

With its portfolio rising in the U.S. market, Verona-based Pasqua Winery is looking to branch into higher pricing tiers. In line with that strategy, the company’s Pasqua USA subsidiary is taking on its first agency brand, Lugana producer Cà Maiol, owned by the Contato family, with winemaking overseen by Michel Rolland. Pasqua will initially import three Cà Maiol wines—two Trebbiano-based whites and a rosé—retailing from $30 and up.

Chief executive Riccardo Pasqua tells SND that further upmarket development is in the works, including a potential foray into spirits. Meanwhile, Pasqua’s namesake brand (handled by Carolina Wine Brands USA) and its Passimento label (imported by Pasqua USA) continue to make marked gains. Passimento, the primary growth driver, retails at $15-$20 a 750-ml. and was extended with a Bianco offering late last year, which joined its existing red blend. Launched in 2014, Passimento sold 1.2 million bottles worldwide last year, with the U.S. representing about one-third of the total. Overall, Pasqua’s annual U.S. volume is now between 250,000-300,000 cases, with sales up 30% year-to-date.

Pasqua says the family-owned company will be more nimble and aggressive moving forward following a recent consolidation of ownership. In February, Riccardo and his father Umberto bought out other family members to acquire a 76% stake in the group, with Umberto’s brother Carlo holding the remaining 24%.

News Briefs:

•MGP Ingredients is launching a new premium vodka brand, Till American Wheat. Distilled from Kansas wheat, Till (80 proof) is debuting first in Kansas and Missouri in both 750-ml. and 1-liter sizes, with the 750-ml. retailing at $25. MGP, which was named Whisky Advocate’s Distillery of the Year for 2015, posted net sales up 4.5% to $328 million for the year. Known primarily for contract production, MGP also introduced its own Metze’s Select Indiana Bourbon last fall, sold and marketed through Anchor Distilling.

•Sonoma, California-based Cline Family Cellars has extended its Cashmere wine range with a new dark red blend. Made with Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Alicante Bouschet and Grenache, Cashmere Black Magic is aged in 35% new French oak casks for up to 12 months. The expression, which retails at around $25 a 750-ml., joins existing Red and White blends in the Cashmere lineup.

•Disaronno International has promoted William Mickel to the newly created role of vice president, national sales manager. Previously regional director of control states, Mickel will bolster Disaronno’s U.S. leadership team, reporting to EVP-general manager Brett Dunne. Disaronno adds that it is preparing for the U.S. launch of a new product under its namesake brand in the bitters category this month.

•Pacific Northwest beer distribution giant Columbia Distributing has announced that CEO Gregg Christiansen will retire on January 2, 2018, and transition to the role of chairman. He will be replaced as CEO by Chris Steffanci, currently president of Columbia’s Washington operations. Based in Portland, Columbia distributes to more than 20,000 retail accounts across Oregon, Washington and California.

Craft Brewing and Distilling News:

•Alameda, California-based St. George Spirits has debuted two new craft offerings. Set to launch this April in California, St. George’s Baller single malt whiskey ($65 a 750-ml.) is made with 100% American barley. The 47%-abv California whiskey is aged three to four years in Bourbon and French oak wine barrels, then filtered before being finished in ex-umeshu (Japanese plum liqueur) casks. Concurrently, St. George has unveiled Bruto Americano ($30), a bitter aperitivo liqueur made with a proprietary blend of herbs, roots and botanicals. Bruto Americano will initially roll out in California this May, with expansion into additional states slated for later this summer.

•Escondido, California’s Stone Brewing Co. has released the latest edition of its Enjoy By Black IPA. Debuting this week, Stone Enjoy By 05.04.16 Black IPA will be available in limited quantities across 23 states, available in 22-ounce bottles and on draft. The 9.4%-abv brew is intended to be consumed by May 4, at which time any remaining bottles will be removed from shelves. Launched in 2012, Stone Brewing’s Enjoy By series puts an emphasis on freshness, with each edition featuring a 35-day shelf life.

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