Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/27652
FYI Trinchero Family Estates was named U.S. importer/marketer for the Dona Paula Winery of Argentina and Carmen Winery of Chile, part of the Claro Group of Wineries….Seattle-based Precept Wines has acquired Canoe Ridge and Sagelands from Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines. The acquisition also includes the Canoe Ridge estate vineyard located in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA (153 planted vinifera acres).…Palm Bay International was named exclusive U.S. agent for Voli light vodkas, low-calorie, fruit and fusion flavored vodkas from the Cognac region of France….Gemini Spirits & Wine has added the full line of Del Maguey Single Village Mezcals to their portfolio of spirits…. W.J. Deutsch & Sons has been named exclusive sales and marketing agent for three brands from the Vintage Wine Estate portfolio: Girard Winery, Sonoma Coast Vineyards and Windsor Sonoma Winery. The company also announced the appointment of Mike McGill as president, W. J. Deutsch Spirits Division… Liquidity, Inc., has announced that its super- premium Pinky Vodka brand is being managed in North America by Whyte & Mackay…. Suriya Parksuwan has been named CEO at Remy Cointreau USA. He had been managing direc- tor at Remy Cointreau South East Asia…. Mark Hubler was named president, Open States, and Greg Armstrong was named President, Control States and National Accounts, for the U.S. Spirits division of Diageo North America….Heineken USA appointed Lesya Lysyj as the company’s new chief marketing officer….Mike Kenton was named CEO at Ascentia Wine Estates; he had been President & CEO at Artesa Winery and Aveniu Brands….Beam Global Spirits & Wine appointed Donard Gaynor as senior vice president, corporate development…. Russian Standard Vodka has named Sumindi Peiris as vice president of marketing…. The Washington State winery Mercer Estates has appointed Chris Jones as national sales and marketing manager…. Fetzer Vineyards, a long-time supporter of environmental organizations and initiatives, is celebrating 25 years of pioneering earth-friendly winemaking prac- tices by releasing a limited-edition Earth Day bottle, a 2010 Chardonnay, available beginning April 2011 for a SRP of $8.99. The Earth Day label features artwork by Anne Kessler, known for her rich impressionist interpre- tations of California landscapes. In addition, Fetzer is donating $10,000 to Leave No Trace, an organization dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and active stew- ardship of the outdoors….Multiple Grammy nominee and chart-topping country music star Dierks Bentley is headlining the 2011 Jagermeister Country Tour kicking off March 17. The 30-city tour, the brand’s 20th, runs through mid-May and will feature Josh Thompson and brand new A&M/Octone duo Miss Willie Brown. Each concert will also feature a local Jägermeister sponsored country act…. After 50 years, Sky Ranch for Boys, is slated to close. Sky Ranch for Boys has been helping troubled youth since the early 1960s, primarily on a campus and ranch owned by Sky Ranch Foundation on the South Dakota/Montana border. Sky Ranch Foundation, whose membership and contributors are primarily associated with the beverage alcohol industry, has provided the facility and as much as 35% of the annual operating budget of Sky Ranch for Boys since shortly after the Foundation was established in 1961. The Foundation has contributed more than $20 million through the years to help these at-risk kids. Said Sky Ranch Foundation President Ralph Aguera, “The deci- sion to close Sky Ranch was extremely difficult for all concerned….We believe the positive spirit of Sky Ranch deserves to continue and to guide us in our efforts to help those in need. We will retain the name Sky Ranch Foundation even after the Ranch closes.… The people of the alcohol beverage industry are tremendously generous and we hope they will continue supporting Sky Ranch Foundation as we move into a new phase of our mission. Our goal is to continue and expand the great legacy of Sky Ranch by supporting the very best programs for troubled girls and boys nation- wide”…In somewhat related development, The Board of Directors of WAABI (World Association of the Alcohol Beverage Industries, Inc.) has voted to dissolve the 67 year-old volunteer group, citing declining membership and corporate support. Organized in 1944, the original name of the group was Women’s Association of the Allied Beverage Industries, Inc. Men were admitted as Associate Members in 1990 when WAABI eliminated gender-based membership rules and changed its name to World Association of the Alcohol Beverage Industries, Inc. WAABI was perhaps best known for extensive charity work, especially on behalf of Sky Ranch for Boys, as well as for dozens of other good causes. WAABI’s final act of charity and support for industry priorities will be to donate the remaining funds in the national and chapter treasuries to Sky Ranch Foundation. 16 • Beverage Dynamics • www.beveragedynamics.com • March/April 2011