Oatley Wines Rolling
Out Wine Line in US

Australia’s Oatley Wines has opened a new U.S. subsidiary in Petaluma, California—Robert Oatley Vineyards—to begin distributing its wines in the States. The New South Wales-based winery is importing 25,000 cases of its flagship Robert Oatley brand....IMPACT

Southern, Glazer's Create
Distribution Giant

Southern Wine & Spirits of America Inc. and Glazer’s Distributors have formed a juggernaut the size of which has never before been seen by the wholesaler tier—or the entire U.S. spirits and wine market, for that matter. The newly formed company, ....IMPACT

Wirtz Group
Forms Exec Team

Continuing the reorganization initiative begun earlier this year with the creation of a centralized operating unit overseeing its multi-state business, Wirtz Beverage Group (WBG) has named a new leadership team for its national portfolio of wine,....IMPACT

Kobrand Obtains
100% Of Alizé

Jean Paul Lafragette has transferred his 49% shareholding interest in L&L— the producer of Alizé—to Purchase, New York-based Kobrand Corp as a means of repaying the funds he misappropriated. Kobrand, owned by the Kopf family, had been partnered with....IMPACT

Bacardi Appoints
McBride New CEO

Bacardi Limited has appointed Seamus McBride to become the privately-owned company’s new President and CEO, effective September 1, 2008. McBride’s executive experience includes his most recent position as Executive VP of Colgate-Palmolive, where ....IMPACT

Bacardi Buying Stake
In Surging Patrón

Bacardi Ltd. has agreed to acquire a significant minority stake in Patrón Tequila, arguably the U.S. market’s hottest spirits brand. Under the terms of the transaction, John Paul DeJoria, who co-founded Patrón in 1989 with the late Martin Crowley....IMPACT

Skalli Names Runge
US Sales Manager

French wine importer Skalli Family Wines Americas has named Karl Runge as national sales manager. Skalli Family Wines (SFW), which owns Napa Valley’s St. Supéry Vineyards & Winery, selected Runge to replace Steve Richards. Richards, who is the national....IMPACT

George Washington’s
Distillery Back In Business

It’s been a long time coming, but after 200 years George Washington’s Mount Vernon distillery is back in the business of selling whiskey. Earlier this year, Mount Vernon was granted permission under Virginia law to sell spirits as a special Virginia....IMPACT

Cal Wine Harvest
Down, Prices Up

This year’s California grape harvest is expected to be smaller than in 2007, boosting prices for growers as supply edges closer to demand. California’s 2008 winegrape harvest is forecasted at around 3.2 million tons, down 3% from last year. Fresno....IMPACT

Pernod Sales Rise
Despite Tough 4th Qtr

Pernod Ricard has reported a 2.3% increase sales increase to €6.6 billion ($10.25 billion) for the year ending June 30. However, Pernod’s fourth quarter slumped 3% versus last year even though the company continued successfully expanding its products....IMPACT

Johnston Named
Foster's Temp CEO

Foster’s Group announced that outgoing CEO Trevor O’Hoy has officially stepped down from the position effective July 21. O’Hoy’s resignation was announced June 10, and he was originally expected to continue working in that role until a full-time ....IMPACT

Skyy Rolls Out
Tullamore Dew 10YO

Skyy Spirits LLC will begin rolling out a limited release bottling of Tullamore Dew in the United States this fall. The new Tullamore Dew 10-year-old blend is a triple-distilled whiskey comprised of kiln-dried barley and has been aged in casks of....IMPACT