A NEW LOOK FOR AN OLD WINE

Innovation is all the craze in the wine industry today, even the big boys are making changes to keep up with the pace. By putting forth a fresh face every once in awhile, brands can hope to attract new consumers and perhaps up the price a bit without alienating loyalists. On its 73rd birthday, Gallo is unifying its Gallo of Sonoma and E & J Gallo product lines and putting them under one uniform name, Gallo Family Vineyards. The wines are being renamed and will feature three redwood trees on their label to represent the family’s three generations of winemaking. The $5-$6 E & J Gallo Twin Valley Vineyards line will be called Gallo Family Vineyards Twin Valley, and the Gallo Sonoma line priced at $11-$13 will be called Gallo Family Vineyards Sonoma Reserve, now costing $13-$15.

Kendall-Jackson, another big Sonoma giant, is close to fulfilling a long-term goal of owning or controlling through contract all the vineyards they use to make their wine. Starting this year, the phrase “100% Jackson Estates Grown” will appear on almost all labels, expecting Vintner’s Reserve Riesling and Cabernet which will soon make the transition. The “estate-grown” concept will add stature to their brands and enable the company to charge more. “The more control we have over the grapes, the better the product,” said spokesman George Rose.