Dear Client: The softness we saw in bev alc trends in 2023 is leaking into 2024, with lackluster Q1 results. But there’s reason to hope for gradual recovery as we move through the year.  Your editor pinged a few wine and spirits distributors to get a better read on Q1 performance as well as their … Continue reading “Distribs Report Soft Q1, But Prepping for Gradual Recovery”

Dear Client: There have been quite a few retailer shipping cases filed in a handful of states in recent years, and now Arizona is dealing with more than one.  BRIEFING COMPLETE IN APPEALS COURT. Before we get to the latest lawsuit, here’s a quick update on the one already winding its way through the court … Continue reading “AZ Now Defending Against Multiple Retailer Shipping Cases”

Dear Client: In 2023, there were quite a few big wine deals, including Ste. Michelle Wine Estates sellingStag’s Leap to Antinori, Gallo picking up both Rombauer and Hahn Family Wines, and Duckhorn acquiring Sonoma-Cutrer.  These big deals “were shifting around market share for some of the bigger players,” according to Zepponi & Co. principal Mario … Continue reading “What Factors are Shaping Wine M&A Trends”

Dear Client: Yesterday, we published the first part of our interview with Westward Whiskey ceo and co-founder Tom Mooney about how his organization has developed over the last 20 years [see WSD 04-16-2024]. We wondered, though– how has the craft spirits industry at large changed over the same period from his perspective? YESTERDAY’S PROBLEMS ARE … Continue reading “Assessing a Changing Craft Spirits Landscape”

Dear Client: In the relatively young world of craft spirits, hitting a 10-year anniversary is no easy feat. Oregon-based Westward Whiskey doubled that milestone this year, celebrating their 20th anniversary. At the recent American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) conference, your editor sat down with Westward’s co-founder and ceo Tom Mooney to talk a little more … Continue reading “Westward Whiskey’s Founder Reflects on 20 Years in Craft Spirits”

Dear Client: Spirit of Gallo is adding gin to its growing spirits portfolio.  Today the company announced an agreement with Mexico City-based Condesa Gin, which includes a strategic investment in the brand. Gallo will also become the brand’s exclusive US importer. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.  Condesa is made in Mexico City and … Continue reading “Gallo Adds Condesa Gin to Growing Spirits Portfolio”

Dear Client:Beam Suntory announced this morning the appointment of Carlo Coppola as president North America, effective April 29. He succeeds Jessica Spence, “who has decided to pursue other opportunities outside the company,” per release. You may recall, Jessica took over the position about a year ago from Greg Hughes, who is now global ceo. Carlo was most … Continue reading “Beam Suntory Names New North America President”

Dear Client: Constellation Brands reported net sales growth of 5% for the full fiscal year ended February. Growth was yet again driven by its beer business, which recorded 9% net sales growth for the year.  Meanwhile, Constellation’s wine and spirits business reported a net sales decline of 9% for the fiscal year, driven by “unfavorable … Continue reading “STZ Doubling Down on Largest W&S Brands to Drive F25 Improvement”

Dear Client: Today Foley Family Wines announced an agency partnership with The Loch Lomond Group, adding Scotch whiskies to its growing spirits stable– the company’s biggest partnership to-date.  FFW will immediately begin importing and distributing The Loch Lomond Group products in the US through its wholesale and supplier network, per release.  The Loch Lomond Group … Continue reading “Foley Family Wines Enters Scotch Category with The Loch Lomond Group”

Dear Client: Increasingly, we’re seeing beer distributors add spirits brands to their portfolios. Taking that a step further, a group of beer distributors in Texas have banded together to form The Spirits League, “with a mission to offer spirits producers an unmatched, local brand-building intensity and unified operational coordination,” per release.   The members of The … Continue reading “Texas Beer Distribs Band Together to Form The Spirits League”

Dear Client: Last week Jackson Family Wines announced its Kendall-Jackson and La Crema wines became the first official wine partner of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), respectively [see WSD 04-04-2024].For more details on the multiyear partnership, your editor got on the horn with JFW evp of sales Bill … Continue reading “How JFW is Leaning into NBA/WNBA Partnerships”

Dear Client: Last month, cannabis analytics firm BDSA hosted a webinar mapping out the road ahead for the global and US cannabis markets for 2024 through 2028.  ADULT-USE DRIVING GROWTH. At a global level, BDSA anticipates legal cannabis sales will reach $40.7 billion by the end of this year. By 2028, they predict that number … Continue reading “Adult-Use Propelling US Cannabis Sales to $32.4B in 2024”

Dear Client: Jackson Family Wines (JFW) announced today a multiyear partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), and USA Basketball’s Men’s and Women’s teams. This marks the leagues’ first official winery partnerships.  More specifically, Kendall-Jackson is the official wine partner of the NBA and La Crema is the official … Continue reading “Jackson Family Wines Strikes First Official Wine Partnership with NBA, WNBA”

Dear Client: Last year Campari vet Melanie Batchelor was promoted to managing director Campari America, taking over for Ugo Fiorenzo who was in turn named managing director Business Unit Americas [see WSD 07-06-2023].  Your editor recently spoke with Melanie to discuss her new role, how they’re bucking larger trends in the US, meeting evolving consumer … Continue reading “Campari America Leader Aiming to Sustain Momentum in a Tough Environment”

Dear Client: Foley Family Wines (FFW) has been busy over the last year beefing up its presence in the spirits space. The latest? Foley announced an agency partnership today with third-generation family-owned and operated tequila producer Tequilas El Mexicano.  “El Mexicano is a high-quality hidden gem from one of the most respected tequila families in … Continue reading “Foley Family Wines Adds Tequila to Growing Spirits Stable”