Category: In the News
Major Personnel Changes at Bacardi
Robert Furniss-Roe, Regional President of North America for the company, is leaving Bacardi and will be replaced by Peter J. Carr. Carr was most recently Executive Vice President at Glazer’s Distributors.
Bacardi also announced that Derek Hopkins, who is SVP, National Sales Director for Bacardi USA, is stepping down. Rich Andrews will take over as VP Commercial for North America.
Belgian Beer Cafe Opens in NYC
Chef Bill Peet’s Belgian Beer Café Nomad will open later this month on Fifth Avenue, featuring a large variety of old and new Belgian craft brews.
Constellation Brands Acquires Casa Noble Tequila
The deal is expected to close next month, and terms have not yet been publicly announced.
Former Industry Executives Launch New International Wine Company
The former executives from E&J Gallo and Constellation Brands came together to form Aspira, which is launching a brand portfolio of wines in Asia.
J.P. Wiser’s Sponsors ESPN Fantasy Football
The whisky brand is tying its sponsorship to a new marketing campaign, “Make the Wiser Call,” which will include TV and online ads throughout the fall.
Juyoung Kang Named Most Imaginative Bartender by Bombay Sapphire
Kang is a mixologist at BLVD. Cocktail Company. The competition was presented by GQ Magazine and the United States Bartenders’ Guild.
Best Bloody Mary Contest Sponsored by Absolut
Entries for the event will be accepted through August 31. Recipes must be an original Bloody Mary using Absolut Vodka.
New Tasting Room for Madrigal Winery
The Napa Valley company recently opened a new tasting room in Sausalito, which will be open seven days a week.
Wine Bar War Challenges Sommeliers’ Creativity
Wines of Chile and the Guild of Sommeliers has created Wine Bar War, which will challenge sommeliers to create four pop-up Chilean wine bars in a single day. Winners will receive a free trip to Chile courtesy of LAN Airlines, where they will visit wineries and other Chilean attractions.
Celebrating 60 Years of Pina Coladas in Puerto Rico
The Caribe Hilton (where Ramon “Monchito” Marrero created the Pina Colada in 1954) is celebrating the famous drink’s anniversary for two months this year with a special festival, which includes mixology classes, a special menu at restaurants and a cocktail party.