Dear Client: We all know that ready-to-drink is a hot category, and while hard seltzers still account for the lion’s share of it, spirits-based RTDs are growing the fastest (up 40% YTD in NielsenIQ all-channel data). And tea appears to be the flavor du jour.  Boston Beer Co. is tapping into/hitting on/addressing both spirits RTDs … Continue reading “The Latest Moves from Big Brewers in the Spirits RTD Space”

Dear Client: We typically stick to the US market in our coverage and our travel. But recently, your editor brushed up on her French skills to join Vinexpo in Quebec in September as part of the Vinexpo Explorer program, highlighting the Canadian province’s local spirits industry.  This was the fourth Vinexpo Explorer, and the first … Continue reading “How Vinexpo Brings Awareness (and Buyers) to Local Producers”

Dear Client: This week 40 craft spirits producers traveled to Capitol Hill to advocate for their top legislative priorities as part of the American Craft Spirits Association’s (ACSA) annual Legislative Fly-In– the first in-person Fly-In since 2019, reports Craft Spirits Magazine.   The group focused on four key initiatives as part of their advocacy efforts. Those … Continue reading “ACSA Descends on Capitol Hill to Advocate for Key Initiatives”

Dear Client: The state of distributor inventory levels has been a hot topic across supplier earnings calls in recent years. Rightfully so, given that US bev alc inventories are near all-time highs. But industry analysts–from Bernstein, Jefferies and Cowen– believe that inventory levels are moving in the right direction.  According to recent data from the … Continue reading “Distrib Inventory Levels Moving in the Right Direction”

Dear Client: Wine-based party punch Beatbox has consistently shown strong growth. Indeed, this year the company is on track to grow 160% and closing in on 4 million cases depleted on a trailing 12-month basis through October.  Beatbox co-founder and ceo Justin Fenchel shared those stats and more yesterday during a “Town Hall” meeting with … Continue reading “Beatbox Growing Triple Digits, Closing in on 4 Million Cases”

Dear Client: There’s been a growing interest in self-distribution recently from producers across beer, wine and spirits. Indeed, this year lawsuits have been filed in New York, Iowa, Idaho and Maryland seeking self-distribution [see WSD 09-18-2023].  The latest? Kentucky craft distillers are hoping to gain self-distribution in the state through legislation.  Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) … Continue reading “Kentucky Craft Distillers Seeking Self-Distribution”

Dear Client: In the last five years innovation has driven almost 30% of Constellation Brands’ growth, delivering almost $3.4 billion in sales over the time period, chief growth, strategy & digital officer Mallika Monteiro shared during the company’s Investor Day last week. “Shifting consumer behavior is disrupting beverage alcohol in meaningful ways as consumers shift between … Continue reading “What’s Driving Constellation’s Innovation Strategy”

Dear Client: Constellation Brands execs covered a lot of ground during its Investor Day meeting yesterday– its first company-wide Investor Day since 2016.  The wine and spirits team delved into the current state of the wine and spirits portfolio transformation, plans to turn around mainstream brands, growth opportunities, and more.  PORTFOLIO RESHAPING “BROADLY FINISHED.” Constellation … Continue reading “Constellation Execs Detail Plans for Wine & Spirit Business”

Dear Client: Tequila and whiskey have consistently driven growth for several big suppliers in recent years. Looking at the latest four weeks through October 8, your editors noticed a few interesting shifts in the two categories in Circana-measured channels. HIGHER END TEQUILA BRANDS LOSING SHARE. While tequila’s surge over the last couple of years has … Continue reading “A Few Notable Trend Shifts in Tequila, Whiskey Scan Data”

Dear Client: Today William Grant & Sons announced the appointment of Soren Hagh as ceo, effective January 1. Soren will take over from Glenn Gordon, who will remain as a non-executive director on the board, per release. You may recall, Glenn took the helm in 2020 following Simon Hunt’s departure [see WSD 10-22-2020].  Soren joins … Continue reading “William Grant & Sons Taps Heineken Exec as New CEO”

Dear Client: Yesterday Treasury Wine Estates announced that it reached an agreement to acquire Paso Robles-based Daou Vineyards for up to $1 billion [see WSD 10-30-2023]. TWE brass shared more color on the deal and what it means for the company moving forward during a business update call yesterday afternoon.   “This acquisition presents a unique … Continue reading “Daou Vineyards will be the “Cornerstone” of TWE’s Luxury Portfolio”

Dear Client: Treasury Wine Estates announced this afternoon that it has reached an agreement to acquire Daou Vineyards for an upfront consideration of $900 million, plus an additional earn-out of up to $100 million. The acquisition includes the brand, the Daou Mountain Estate and hospitality site, four boutique luxury wineries and around 400 acres of vineyards … Continue reading “Treasury Wine Estates Acquires Daou Vineyards for $1 Billion”

Dear Client: Spirit of Gallo’s New Amsterdam is the third largest vodka brand in the US, behind Tito’s and Smirnoff. That “continues to be a position that we have solidified,” Spirit of Gallo svp and gm Britt West tells WSD, with the brand growing double digits over last year in Circana data.  The brand skews … Continue reading “New Amsterdam Brand Partnerships Drive Consumer Recruitment”

Dear Client: Remy Cointreau rounded out the first half of its fiscal year with global sales down 22.2% on an organic basis, showing some improvement in Q2. The declines were driven in large part by a slow recovery in the Americas region and a negative currency effect. The H1 sales decline was also driven by a … Continue reading “Remy Readjusts Goalposts for Recovery Into Next Year”

Dear Client: Grupo Cuervo’s global volumes were down 4.5% for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 ended September, driven by volume decreases in Mexico and Rest of World. This was partially offset by a volume increase in the US and Canada region, mainly driven by continued strong performance from super and ultra-premium tequila brands.  Meanwhile, … Continue reading “Proximo Posts Growth in Q3 While Prepping for Tough Q4”