Dear Client:Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are cutting ties with the Century Council over ignition interlocks according to a new article in the Wall Street Journal. They’ve asked the group to “stop proclaiming that it’s MADD’s partner in the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving,” and stop using MADD’s logo on its website.The problem hinges on … Continue reading “MADD Separates from the Century Council”

Dear Client:Foster’s Wine Estates announced this afternoon that Bruce Herman, senior vice president of U.S. sales, will resign October 1. The company said he will continue in his current role through June and then transition into a temporary position overseeing strategic sales projects. Foster’s also noted that “a search has begun for a replacement,” but … Continue reading “Foster’s Americas SVP Bruce Herman Departs”

Dear Client:In the first part of our interview yesterday we sat down with the boys at Philadelphia Distributing, best known for their Blue Coat gin: Andrew Auwerda, Robert Cassell and Tim Yarnall. In April Alain Barbet, the former chief of Pernod Ricard Americas, jumped on board as the company’s senior advisor, and since then it … Continue reading “Part II: A Talk with Philadelphia Distilling”

Dear Client:Sources are telling the San Francisco Business Times that 1-800-Flowers.com, the parent company of Napa’s Wine Tasting Network Services, is close to securing a deal to purchase New Vine Logistics. According to the article, “an announcement is said to be imminent.” Wine Tasting Network provides winery and wine club direct marketing services, as well … Continue reading “Alert: 1-800-Flowers.com May Purchase New Vine Logistics”

Dear Client:You’ll recall in April when we announced that Alain Barbet (former chief of Pernod Ricard Americas) signed up as senior advisor for Philadelphia Distilling, producers of Blue Coat American Dry Gin, Penn 1681 Rye Vodka, and Vieux Carré Absinthe Supérieure. If you’re like us, you’ve never heard of Blue Coat Gin before Alain jumped … Continue reading “A Talk with Philadelphia Distilling on the Burgeoning World of Craft Spirits”

Dear Client:As you know, it was announced yesterday that New Vine is closing, much to the shock of investors, customers and even employees. This development likely puts an end to Amazon’s supposed foray into the wine business since the two companies planned on partnering once the site launched. The deal was never solid enough for … Continue reading “More on New Vine’s Surprising Departure”

Dear Client:New Vine Logistics (which assists wineries in shipping direct to consumers) suspended operations Friday and informed winery clients via email that it would not be processing any new orders, according to Winebusiness.com.Recall that Amazonwine.com had planned on partnering with New Vine once the website and its foray into the wine business officially began (which … Continue reading “New Vine Collapses, Amazon Deal Unlikely”

Dear Client:Beer, wine, and spirits producers today are casting a nervous eye over testimony yesterday to a Senate Finance Committee round table on how to fund the Obama administration’s $1.2 trillion health care initiative. Three of the thirteen academia experts who testified recommended dramatic increases in the federal excise tax on alcohol as part of … Continue reading “Senate Testimony Calls for Dramatic Increases in Alcohol Taxes”

Dear Client:Pernod says it has risen over 1 billion euros by issuing new shares to cut down debt accumulated from Vin & Sprit. The company now has net debt of more than 12 billion euros, it said. In addition, it will dispose of 1 billion euros worth of non strategic assets In all, Pernod’s discounted … Continue reading “Pernod Successfully Cuts Debt”

Dear Client:It’s no secret that Australia has had a rough couple of years and as a result is losing momentum in some of its most popular export markets, like the U.S. and U.K. At this point the industry doesn’t want anything else against its favor, which is why it’s lobbying the Australian government to prevent … Continue reading “New Hurdles Face Aussie Wine Biz”

Dear Client:Planned stock reductions for Diageo’s U.S. wine and spirits wholesalers caused net sales to decline -7% in the third quarter. Inventories at March 31 were approximately one million cases lower than stocks on December 31. Diageo also experienced a significant decline in the Russian market and the Global Travel Retail business.U.S. net volumes were … Continue reading “Diageo Hit by Stock Reductions and Declining Demand”

Dear Client:In Silicon Valley Bank’s annual State of the Wine Industry report, founder Rob McMillan makes predictions for 2009-2010, along with explanations for the present state of the economy and advice. GOOD NEWS. On a year over year basis, Rob predicts slightly improved sales in the second quarter, flat sales in Q3 and positive Q4 … Continue reading ““Capitalistic Darwinism” Envelops Wine Biz”

Dear Client:WSD has learned that Pernod Ricard USA has appointed Lauren Simkin to general manager of Pernod Ricard USA Wines & Champagnes. She will lead the development of the company’s portfolio in the U.S., reporting to chief Paul Duffy. Before joining Pernod Ricard in 2007, Lauren held a series of progressively responsible sales and marketing … Continue reading “Alert: Pernod Restructures Wine and Champagne Unit”

Dear Client:Spirits volumes grew 3.6% in March in control states, whereas volumes grew only 0.2% in February, reports UBS analyst Melissa Earlam based on NABCA data. March benefited from easy comps of -5.2% year over year. Diageo lost some slight share in the month, although volumes grew 3.4%. It grew share in rum with volumes … Continue reading “Spirits grow 4% in Control States”

Dear Client:To say it has been a busy year for Rocky Wirtz is an understatement. As you know, Rocky is the president of Wirtz Beverage Group, which operates in five states, and has overseen a number of changes in the past seven months. After Glazer’s and Southern Wine & Spirits announced intentions to create a … Continue reading “A Talk with Rocky Wirtz”