Campari's Take on Pinnacle, Plus Skyy's First TV Ad Campaign
FILED MAY 16, 2012
Campari America grew sales by +5.4% in the US during its first quarter ending March 31 (Jan-Feb-Mar), driven by Wild Turkey, Skyy, Campari, Carolans and Espolon Tequila. Interestingly, the company does not expect the heavy competitive environment in the US vodka category to cease anytime soon, but they are fighting back in part with Skyy's first-ever television ad campaign this summer. More on that below, but first the brands. Read More

Precept Acquires Ste. Chapelle Winery
FILED MAY 15, 2012
Washington-based Precept Wines has acquired Idaho's Ste. Chapelle Winery from Ascentia Wine Estates. This move solidifies Precept's presence in Idaho - it already owns Sawtooth Estate Winery in Idaho's Snake River Valley - and makes it the second largest wine company in the Northwest after Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Financial details were not disclosed. Read More

Supreme Court Refuses Havana Case, Pernod Poised to Launch Havanista
FILED MAY 14, 2012
Pernod Ricard was dealt another blow today in its ongoing effort to sell Havana Club in the United States, but this time they have a plan. First the story and then details on Havanista. This morning the US Supreme Court refused to hear Pernod's case against the Department of Treasury. You may recall Pernod lost a March 2011 ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia when two of three judges agreed with a lower district court that said the government was correct in blocking Pernod Ricard and Cubaexport from attempting to renew the Havana Club Rum trademark in 2006. Read More

How St-Germain Made it this Far
FILED MAY 11, 2012
We met Rob Cooper a few years back at the WSWA's annual convention. It was right around the time he started selling St-Germain in the U.S. (2007). Now it seems like every bar we visit carries the liquid, with many featuring St-Germain drinks on their cocktail lists. Rob reminds us that the brand is still small - "it's all relative" - but they are poised for growth in the coming year. Last year they sold 70,000 cases worldwide and this year they expect to sell 100,000 cases, with about 10,000 outside the U.S. Read More

Avion Talks New Commercial, Howard Stern and Behind the Scenes
FILED MAY 10, 2012
It's hard to believe that Tequila Avion has only been around for a little less than two years - 20 months to be exact - but that is indeed the case. We've spoken with founder and chairman Ken Austin a total of three times at this point, and each time his company's presence in the marketplace is much larger than before. You'll recall that in the summer of 2010 Avion made its big debut on HBO's Entourage. Back then Avion was available in only two markets: New York and California. About a year later when we interviewed Ken a second time they were in 23 states. Now, Avion is available in all 50 states with designs to increase its global presence. Read More