Russell’s Reserve Donates $20,000 to KDA’s Lifting Spirits Foundation

Posted on July 27, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Russell’s Reserve Bourbon and Wild Turkey Distilling Co. announced a $20,000 donation to benefit the Kentucky Distillers’ Association‘s Lifting Spirts Foundation.

The Lifting Spirits Foundation was formed in 2020 with a focus on increasing diversity in distilled spirits by funding education credits for Black students, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ and other underrepresented students enrolled in Bourbon-related certification courses at the University of Louisville, the University of Kentucky, and Kentucky State University.

This is the second consecutive year Russell’s Reserve will work hand-in-hand with the KDA to benefit the community and propel the next generation of distillers in the spirits industry.

“‘Reserved for All’ is more than a slogan for Russell’s Reserve – it’s a philosophy that drives us,” says JoAnn Street, Wild Turkey Distilling Co. Portfolio Ambassador and granddaughter of industry titan, Jimmy Russell. “We are committed to making the Bourbon industry a more welcoming and inclusive place. Through the work that the KDA is doing with the Lifting Spirits Foundation, we are seeing that happen in real time, and we are proud to continue our relationship in building a community of rising leaders who truly represent a shining light in the industry’s bright future.”

In addition to supporting the Lifting Spirits Foundation, Russell’s Reserve and Wild Turkey Distilling Co. have a robust internship program aimed at furthering professional development for the Bourbon industry’s next generation.

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Who & What —

Posted on July 27, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Meghan Watkins,  co-founder of Victory Wine Group and former partner at Progress Wine Group and Quench Fine Wines,  joins  CEO Coaching International as partner and coach. Victory, Progress and Quench, all distributorship, formed Palomar Beverage Co.

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What We’re Reading —

Posted on July 27, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Napa’s vineyard workers are retiring — and the next generation doesn’t want their jobs

A generational shift is occurring within California’s agricultural workforce where the offspring of farmworkers are pursuing alternative, gainful and fulfilling careers — a result of having more opportunities and education than their parents and grandparents did when they arrived in America. But this is compounding the labor shortage in Napa Valley’s vineyards, which has already been impacted by factors like immigration policy and the rising cost of living. One possible solution, mechanization, is fiercely contested by many Napa wineries, who are instead finding new ways to attract the next generation of vineyard workers. (San Francisco Chronicle)

A Napa Filmmaker Looked and Found Roundup, the Weedkiller Tied to Cancer, ‘Everywhere’

Brian Lilla’s Children of the Vine examines the herbicide’s legacy in wine country. (Capital & Main)

Napa’s most historic wineries are staging a comeback. Will multimillion-dollar rebrands work?

Over the past several years, many of these wineries have staged comebacks, embarking on head-to-toe rebrands with costly remodels, label redesigns, price increases and a renewed focus on wine quality. But such transformation comes with its own challenge: preserving some semblance of their humble roots while also standing out among an increasingly homogenous Napa. (San Francisco Chronicle)

‘The Prisoner’ wine creator talks about his restless pursuit to craft the next cult libation

The mastermind behind the cult wine talks about his future.  (North Bay Business Journal)

The Beers that Made Milwaukee Famous

The history of Milwaukee brewing is inscribed on the city’s landscape. Little wonder that the Milwaukee County Historical Society returns to the subject for its latest exhibition. “Brew City: The Story of Milwaukee Beer” opened this week for an indefinite run at the Historical Society’s elegant building tucked alongside Downtown’s Pere Marquette Park.  (Shepherd Express)

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Is Inflation Biting Control State Sales? Volume Down 2% in June

Posted on July 26, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Total Control States volume in June was down 2% from a year-earlier and dollar volume was down 0.4%, National Alcoholic Beverage Control Association reports.

The Tequila and Cocktails (driven by canned cocktails) categories continue to be the only large volume growth drivers in June with all other categories either declining or close to flat.  Both of these categories have grown share of total spirits over the last 12 months:  Cocktails  and Tequila were both up 1.1%.  Cognac’s  share has declined 1% followed by Vodka share, which eased 0.6%.

Wine declined 5.1% in 9-liter volume and 5.3% in dollar volume for the month vs -5.4% in 9L volume and -2.0% in $Vol for R12.  The six markets where the state is the sole wholesaler for wines account for 99.5% of the $Vol.

The On-Premise channel grew by +3.3% in 9L volume and +8.4% in $Vol during June and follows on from a huge increase in June of 2021 of +85.7% 9L volume (restocking post Covid closures).  Rolling 12-month 9L volume remains high at +38.9% with $Vol at +45.9%.  The channel represents 17% of the total Control States spirits value for June vs 16% for R12.  Wines in the channel were flat at -0.2% in 9L volume but remained positive with +2.9% in $Vol.

Details by state are at https://www.nabca.org/sites/default/files/assets/files/control-state/June%202022%20Control%20State%20Results.pdf

 

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Beer Institute Sees Shipments Slide Again in June

Posted on July 26, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

The June 2022 estimate is 16,000,000 barrels, a decrease of 3.3% compared to June 2021 removals of 16,540,652, Beer Institute reports.  Year-to-date through June, tax-paid shipments are down 3.7% to 82.9 million barrels from 86.070,760 barrels.

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What Baby Boomers Are Buying on Drizly

Posted on July 26, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Yes, we know.  Those born between the end of World War II and the mid 1960s are yesterday’s news to marketers.  But they shouldn’t be.  They generally have lots of money, and they are America’s second largest generation.  And why the Gen-Z crowd may be playing with Mocktails, Baby Boomers still drink.

What do that drink? Lighter profile drinks — vodka, white wine and light lager, according to Drizly.  This year they’ve upped their purchases of liquor (47% in 1922 vs. 44% last year), and trimmed their purchases of both wine (40% vs. 42%) and beer (11% vs. 12%).  “Extras” remained steady at 2%.

A 2021 Wine Market Council survey found that, compared to other generations, U.S. consumers aged 60 and older have some of the highest wine consumption rates. Nineteen percent of those in the 60 to 69 age range and 22 percent of those over 70 identified themselves as daily wine drinkers.

Though boomers account for a smaller share of total sales on Drizly at 11 percent, these consumers out-spend younger generations in some categories, such as white wine and non-alcoholic beer, wine, and spirits. Boomers also spend more per order on the platform.

“One of the trends we have seen with this age group,” says Liz Paquette, the head of consumer insights at Drizly, “is that they typically spend less per product, but more per order, than other generations.”

And yes, they like no- and low-alcohol beer, wine and spirits.  Boomers’ share of sales is 0.25% compared to 0.23% for other generations.

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