Tennessee Hills Distillery Sets $21.3 Million Expansion

Posted on July 18, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Tennessee Hills Distillery will invest $21.3 million in Bristol, Tenn., to create a new company headquarters.

The new location will join Tennessee Hills Distillery’s two existing operations in Jonesborough and Johnson City. Through the project, Tennessee Hills Distillery will create 45 new jobs over the next five years as the company constructs an automated distillery, which will be housed in the company’s new headquarters on nearly nine acres off Highway 11 West.

The distillery’s new headquarters will not only specialize in highly automated distilling and packaging but will also house a museum highlighting the history of Tennessee whiskey, NASCAR, music and the distilling process. Once complete, the 35,000-square-foot facility is anticipated to be the fourth largest automated plant in Tennessee.

Founded in Jonesborough, Tennessee, and a subsidiary of Rugged American Spirits, Tennessee Hills Distillery, has been part of the Sullivan and Washington County communities since 2014. The company is well-known for establishing its first distillery in a historic salt house in Tennessee’s oldest town and for partnering with East Tennessee State University to build a brewing and distillation sciences program. With the addition of 45 new jobs in Bristol, the distillery will more than double its employee headcount in Northeast Tennessee.

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Country Malt Group to Distribute AB Biotek Yeast to Distillers

Posted on July 18, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

AB Biotek is a division of AB Mauri, a UK-based company, that produces distillers yeast.  “While AB Biotek is a relatively new name in the distilled spirits industry in the U.S. and Canada, our AB Mauri parent division has been active in this marketplace for several decades,” said Greg Strauss, senior vp of St. Louis-based AB Biotek North America. “Country Malt Group is known for providing the highest quality products to the North American spirits industry, and we’re excited for them to help us expand the footprint of our Pinnacle brands.”

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Molson Coors to Advertise on Super Bowl LVII

Posted on July 18, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Maybe this is why IRI says Molson Coors is outperforming nearly every other major brewer in terms of industry share gains in the U.S.:  It’s stepping up to one challenge after another.  The latest:  It will advertise on Super Bowl LVII, taking advantage of Anheuser-Busch InBev‘s decision to step back a bit from Super Bowl advertising.

A-B will still advertise on Super Bowl — a bit.  But it won’t be exclusive, and Molson Coors is stepping right into the breach next year.  This year, A-B focused on promoting Cutwater Spirits mixed drinks.  In 2021, the Budweiser Clydesdales sat out the Super Bowl so the brewer could promote Covid vaccine awareness.  Exactly how that sells beer (or Cutwater spirits, for that matter) is beyond us.

Molson Coors, of course, is having some fun with this turn of events. “After years of finding creative ways for our brands to gain share of voice during the game, we’re proud to be the first new major brewer to sign on as an official Super Bowl LVII advertiser,” says Molson Coors Chief Marketing Officer Michelle St. Jacques.

The decision “comes at a time when momentum behind our biggest brands – and our newest big bets – is stronger than it’s been in years, and we’re committed to investing behind them on the largest national stage there is,” she says.  Molson Coors’ two largest brands, Coors Light and Miller Lite, have booked their strongest combined performance in years. Newer brands, including Topo Chico Hard Seltzer and Simply Spiked, are each off to rollicking starts, gobbling up share in their respective segments and helping Molson Coors establish itself as this year’s No. 1 dollar share gainer in the flavored alcohol space, data show.  The company attributes these trends in part to the increased effectiveness of its marketing campaigns.

St. Jacques says allowing multiple beer advertisers back into the fold will lead to a more enjoyable viewing experience for viewers.

“Since 1989, there’s only been one official beer advertiser during the Super Bowl, and honestly, that’s no fun,” she said. “After almost 40 years away, you can bet our brands are going to bring it this year. Game on.”

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Seven Stones Winery, Estate For Sales for $34 Million

Posted on July 18, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

The Napa Valley estate winery is fully permitted, meaning it can grow grapes, produce wine and operate a tasting room.  That set of permissions is worth gold in Napa Valley, and some experts say it would take a new winery 10 to 20 years to get the package — if they could get it at all.

The main residence is 6,600 square feet.  There’s a two-bedroom, two-bathroom guest house with full kitchen, a one-bedroom, one bathroom caretaker’s cottage, a barn and a workshop.  Plus:  Seven Stones is seeking approval to double the size of its vineyard.

The property is currently owned by the Wornick family.  Ronald C. Wornick (1932-2021) was best known for founding The Wornick Company, which produced Meals Ready to Eat (MREs,) a next-generation version of C-Rations, for the U.S. Military and revolutionized food options to servicemen in the field, according to the Seven Stones website. 

Compass Realty has the listing.

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Non-Alc Wine Sales Up 22%, Giesen 0% from New Zealand Posts 454% Gain in U.S.

Posted on July 18, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

Non–alcoholic wine sales are up 22% over the last 52 weeks (ending 6/30/22), according to NielsenIQ Panel, with average consumer spending per non–alcohol bottle up 18% over the same period. Nielsen also reports that 66% percent of millennials are actively working to lower their alcohol intake and 56% of millennials consider themselves “mindful drinkers” and also purchase alcoholic wine, beer or spirits. Most recently, Drizly reported July 4 weekend 2022 saw nearly twice as many non–alcoholic wine and beer sales as compared to 2021.

Giesen 0%, the New Zealand global premium brand leader in alcohol-removed wines, posted a 454% growth in shipments to the U.S. during its fiscal 2022.  It’s easy to note that this is off a low bar, but Mark Giordano, president of Giesen Group importer Pacific Highway Wines, says “Giesen 0% Sauvignon Blanc is the No. 1 –selling non–alcoholic Sauvignon Blanc in the U.S. and Giesen 0% Rosé is the No. 2- selling non–alcoholic Rosé.”  Giesen Group sought to build on this track record, releasing three new alcohol-removed wines — Giesen 0% Rosé, 0% Premium Red, 0% Pinot Grigio — in the spring and 0% Riesling to come in the fall.

Giesen Group isn’t an exclusive non-alcohol wine producer. Based in Marlborough, the Giesen family produces wine to be enjoyed at every occasion, from their highly awarded organic Clayvin Single Vineyard wines to the widely successful Giesen Estate wines and Giesen 0% range. Inspired by today’s preference for mindful drinking and flavorful choices, Giesen 0% is the world’s leading premium range of alcohol–removed wines including New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Rosé, Riesling and Red Blend.

Giesen Group is leading the category investment as the first New Zealand winery to own a spinning cone unit, allowing for winemaking innovation, varietal trials and ultimate quality control. Representing an investment of over $2 million, the Giesen Group spinning cone machine gently distills wine into three layers: aroma, alcohol and body. Leaving the alcohol aside, the distinctive aroma is combined with the body of the wine to create 0% alcohol
wine with as many recognizable varietal characteristics as possible.

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Castle & Key Has a Guest House

Posted on July 18, 2022 by Joel Whitaker

We confess we don’t quite know what to make of this.  The distillery is offering stays in The Stone House in downtown Frankfort, a few miles from the distillery, for $299 a night.  It can accommodate seven guests, has three bedrooms, five beds, two baths and a view of the Kentucky River, all for $299 a night.   Will Castle & Key fans be disappointed it isn’t on the distillery grounds?  Or will they be happy with the “considered finishes, bespoke Castle & Key chocolates and scents as well as curated imagery depicting the history of the Castle and its surrounds.”

Pricewise, it is definitely the most expensive spot downtown.  The closest we could find in Lexington on a quick-and-dirty Hotels.com search was $125 a night at either a Home 2 Suites by Hilton or a Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott.  But we’ll bet there’s a certain class of traveler that will find  not only a sitting room but also “a beautiful library filled with antique books, Castle & Key memorabilia and historic photographs, a dining room that  comfortably seats eight” to have a certain appeal.  Especially when local chefs specializing in local cuisine and farm to table fare are available to cater upon request.

Naturally, adjacent to the dining room is an informal bar space with all the tools needed to craft a perfect cocktail. The kitchen is stocked with crockery and cutlery and a full sized refrigerator, oven, dishwasher and coffee maker. Fresh coffee beans will be stocked for each stay.  The back living room features a Smart TV, sitting area, and a second dining table that overlooks the Kentucky River. This space is perfect for guests to play games, enjoy a movie, converse about their Kentucky adventures, or simply enjoy the company of others.  The  first floor also features a full bathroom and screened in porch.

The bedrooms are upstairs.  Which brings up the limitations.  The Stone House is not accessible.  It’s an antique home.  Lots of charm and character, but no elevator for those with trouble navigating stairs.  Nor does it supply parking.  And it’s next door to a local bistro, so “there is a possibility for noise.”  Nonetheless, we suspect it will generate a steady flow of guests.  At least we hope  it does.

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