May 22, 2011 / by J Smoke Wallin / Make A Comment / Filed under 2011 Event, Brand Management, Distributors, New Products - Brands, Pelican Brands
I’m very pleased to share a recap of our awards from the most recent WSWA wine and spirits tasting.
WSWA Wine & Spirits Tasting 2011, Sponsored By The Tasting Panel -With 18 medals- More Than Any Other Wine & Spirits Supplier
3 Amigos Blanco Tequila wins “Best of Show Silver Tequila” and Gold Medal.
Gemtree White Lees Shiraz Wins “Best of Show Red Wine” and Gold Medal.
Carmel, IN, USA – May 23, 2011 – Pelican Brands proudly announced today that its portfolio of world class wines and spirits garnered a whole host of new medals and awards at the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Wine and Spirits Tasting held in April, in Orlando Florida. The awards were sponsored by the respected industry publication The Tasting Panel and came after rigorous blind tasting sessions with esteemed independent beverage industry judges. Pelican Brands portfolio won two Double Gold medals, three Gold medals and thirteen Silver medals in all as well as two of the coveted “Best of Show” for tequila and red wine.
A major highlight was the award of a Gold medal and “Best Silver Tequila” to 3 Amigos Blanco, a 100% blue agave tequila founded by the Gonzalez family. The product is made from agave grown at his family’s farm in Mexico.
Award winning 3 Amigos Tequila
J. Smoke Wallin, Chairman & CEO of Pelican Brands said, “3 Amigos is all about good times and fun, which is amply demonstrated by its associations with International Speedway Corporation host of many of NASCAR’s best events, through sponsorship of numerous tracks and races throughout the calendar. However, 3 Amigos fans are extremely discerning and know quality when they taste it. This medal just shows what they and millions of other tequila fans are coming to know – 3 Amigos is above all else, great tequila.”
Gemtree Vineyards 2007 White Lees Shiraz won the “Best of Show Red Wine” much to the delight of Andrew Buttery, Managing Director of Gemtree Vineyards, who said, “We have been making wine for three generations and won our fair share of accolades along the way, however, this one is particularly special. We try to make our wines the very best way we know how and have been producing 100% biodynamically since 2008. We put a lot of heart and soul into it, and this award makes us very proud.” Andrew and the team at Gemtree had further success as their Uncut Shiraz 2008 also won Double Gold.
Gemtree - Single Bottle Shot - 07_whitelees
The final gold medals were a Double Gold, awarded to the Napa Smith Winery® for its 2007 Napa Smith Merlot and a gold for Vina Underraga’s 2010 (oops) Carmenere. More famed for its award winning craft beers, the
2007 Napa Smith Merlot
Napa Smith Winery has also been making exceptional wines. Like everything that bears the Napa Smith name this wine epitomizes all that is so great about Napa’s love affair with artisanal food and drink.
Chilean Carmenere is seen by many as ‘the next malbec’ and if this true then (oops) will surely lead the way with its marriage of serious wine and an irreverent attitude. (oops) was also awarded a further three silver medals.
Amongst other wineries winning Silver medals were three for Marisco Vineyards of Marlborough, Zealand, one for Vinedos de Aguilla, Spain for its Agoston Tempranillo and Carbernet 2009 now in 4,000 Walgreens stores, and Las Perdices Winery from Argentina for its 2009 Barking Sheep Malbec.
Agoston Tempranillo Cabernet from Spain - now available at ALL Walgreens
Wallin continued, “Pelican Brands has made great strides in the development of our global wine program in the past months. We are assembling an incredible portfolio of world-class wines, and this is very much evidenced by this wonderful haul of awards and medals. We are huge supporters of WSWA and extremely proud to have performed so well. These wines are already in much demand and this is sure to kick on from here.”
About Pelican Brands
Pelican Brands manages a portfolio of owned and agency premier import & craft beers, artisanal spirits and fine wines. Our team has extensive experience in the global beverage and consumer packaged goods industries. Our brands include the award winning craft brewer, Napa Smith Brewery & Winery, 3 Amigos Tequila and a portfolio of incredible agency brands of spirits, beer and wine. Pelican Brands is headquartered in Carmel, IN, with offices in the United Kingdom and Napa, CA and a sales team covering the U.S. market and select international markets. www.pelican-brands.com And on Facebook http://on.fb.me/afmdBU And follow us on Twitter @pelicanbrands
December 21, 2010 / by J Smoke Wallin / Make A Comment / Filed under Brand Management, Distributors, News, Pelican Brands
NOTE: This deal has been a long time coming. My team believes in this brand fully. We are very excited to invest in Napa Smith, the Napa business community and build on our Napa based employment. Napa Valley needs investment. With unemployment hitting 10% in the valley, it is clear more business investment is needed. We are looking forward to building on the foundation the founders of Napa Smith built and adding our ideas to the mix along with our ability to sell to the trade. We are highly confident in the future of this business.
Napa, CA – December 21, 2010 – An investment group led by industry veteran, J. Smoke Wallin, is pleased to announce it has finalized the purchase of Napa Smith Brewery & Winery bringing it into the family of companies which includes Pelican Brands. Napa Smith Beer has developed a growing following in the Craft Beer category, is currently in 17 states, and will be available nationally by the summer of 2011. Earlier this year, Napa Smith appointed Pelican Brands as its exclusive sales representatives in the United States.
J. Smoke Wallin, Chairman & CEO of Pelican Brands and Napa Smith Holdings, said, “The craft beer business is the fastest growing category of beverage alcohol in America. Napa Smith has all the right attributes to become one of the few truly global brands of craft beer – amazing beer from one of the most respected names in the craft brewing industry, distinctive packaging, Napa terroir. These attributes combined with our Pelican Brands global distribution capability, experienced management team and our access to capital give us all the necessary elements to achieve great success.” Wallin continued, “This acquisition is a great strategic fit combined with Pelican Brands as we build a global sales and brand platform, of both owned and agency brands. We look forward to building Napa Smith into an iconic craft beer brand with President Steve Morgan and Master Brewer Don Barkley.”
Steve Morgan, President & COO of Napa Smith Holdings stated, “This is a very positive development for our business. In 2010 Napa Smith – through Pelican’s sales and distribution platform – has expanded into 17 states. With the capital, resources and relationships that Pelican brings to the mix, our beer will be available nationally by mid 2011. Napa has become known world-wide for great wines, and deservedly so. We are proud to hand-craft our beer here in Napa Valley with the same level of quality and attention to detail that built Napa’s global reputation.”
Don Barkley, Master Brewer said, “I’m doing what I love to do – brewing great beer. Smoke and the whole Pelican team are my kind of people. They appreciate the importance of brewing beer right. At the same time, they bring scale and resources that will help Napa Smith reach many more thirsty consumers, which is something I’m passionate about!”
About Napa Smith Brewery
Napa Smith Brewery is located at the southern gateway to Napa Valley, just south of the town of Napa. Napa Valley is internationally known as a destination for those individuals who seek the best that life has to offer. Napa Smith is proud to contribute to the Napa tradition of hard work, craftsmanship, and artistry with the introduction of its unique family of beers. It creates its beers using proprietary recipes developed by Master Brewer Don Barkley – a veteran of 30+ years in the craft brewing industry. Much of the Napa Smith’s growth has been fueled by its Signature Series of beers. Offered in 4-packs, 22 oz bottles, and draught, Organic IPA™ and Lost Dog Red Ale™ have attracted national interest from both distributors and chains. Napa Smith Amber Ale, Napa Smith Pale Ale, and Napa Smith Lost Dog Red Ale are all recipients of Gold Medals at the California State Fair. www.napasmithbrewery.com And on Facebook http://on.fb.me/fb7opr And follow us on Twitter @Napa_Smith
About Don Barkley, Master Brewer
Don Barkley is one of America’s most experienced craft brewers, having brewed professionally for 32 years. Don started brewing in 1978 at New Albion Brewery, America’s first new brewery since Prohibition. After 5 years there he moved to help found Mendocino Brewing Company, where he spent 25 years as Master Brewer. While at Mendocino Don became an icon in the craft beer industry, creating such legendary beers as Red Tail Ale and Eye of the Hawk. Don has now returned to his family’s home in Napa Valley – where they have lived for 6 generations – to craft the award-winning and rapidly growing beers of Napa Smith Brewery. Don has done his best work yet at Napa Smith – developing every beer in the portfolio including the savory Lost Dog Red Ale, the innovative Organic IPA, and a strong portfolio of 3 rotating seasonal beers.
About Pelican Brands
Pelican Brands manages a portfolio of owned and agency premiere import & craft beers, artisanal spirits and fine wines. Pelican Brands’ team and partners have extensive experience in the global beverage and consumer packaged goods industries. Pelican Brands is headquartered in Carmel, IN, offices in the United Kingdom and Napa, CA and a sales team covering the U.S. market and select international markets. www.pelican-brands.com And on Facebook http://on.fb.me/afmdBU And follow us on Twitter @pelicanbrands
December 20, 2010 / by J Smoke Wallin / Make A Comment / Filed under Brand Management, Distributors, Pelican Brands
Pelican Brands Will Import La Piazza And Allora Brands, Crafted By The Mineo Family In Collaboration With Calatrasi
Carmel, IN, USA – November 10th, 2010 – Pelican Brands, Calatrasi, and the Mineo Family announced today the formation of a long-term strategic partnership for the U.S. market.
The Mineo Family represents the alliance between Calatrasi, a leading Italian wine producer, and 500 individual Sicilian growers. Italian wine is the number one imported wine category in the US.
Calatrasi produces nearly one million cases of wine annually and controls more than 1,100 hectares (2,700) acres in Sicily, Puglia and Tunisia. Over the last 10 years, Calatrasi has reinvested over $14 million on improvements to the quality and value of their wines. In 1998 Calatrasi created the D’istinto brand in co – ownership with BRL Hardy; the project achieved 300,000 cases in UK, becoming the number one Italian brand in UK.
Pelican Brands, Calatrasi and the Mineo Family announce their long-term strategic partnership with two co-owned brands, La Piazza and Allora. These wines are crafted from grapes grown in the Sicilian hills by the individual growers, who bring the harvest to Calatrasi winery to make the best wines from that region. The La Piazza brand will also be launching a Pinot Grigio from the Veneto in early 2011.
Maurizio Miccichè , Owner of Calatrasi and founder of Mineo family Vineyards said, “We have been looking for some time at the various options for entering the U.S. market. Our patience has paid off, as we have found our long-term partner in Pelican Brands. We share Pelican Brands passion, energy, innovation spirit and long-term commitment to quality.”
J. Smoke Wallin, Chairman & CEO of Pelican Brands said, “Maurizio and I instantly connected with our shared passion for the wine business and vision for the future. Calatrasi and Mineo are the perfect partners as we build out our wine platform in the U.S. market.”
La Piazza wines are fresh and rich wines that go well with any dish. The range includes 2 white wines, a blend of Catarratto (an indigenous grape varietal of Sicily) and Chardonnay, a Pinot Grigio and a red wine, which is a blend of Merlot and Nero d’Avola (an indigenous grape varietal of Sicily).
The Allora wines feature full-body, solid structure, fully represent the terroir of the Mediterranean area. The Allora range includes Viognier, Grillo (indigenous grape varietal) and Nero d’Avola from Sicily and Primitivo (Zinfandel) wine from Salento.
Franco Bernabei, Chief Winemaker of Calatrasi and Mineo Family Vineyards
Franco Bernabei has 30 years of winemaking experience in Italy, as winemaker for some of Italy’s most prestigious estates in Tuscany and Veneto. Over the years he has earned major awards and high praise from Robert Parker to the Wine Spectator. He said about the new partnership “I believe that our wines will be a success in the U.S. market because they are crafted with the U.S. wine consumer’s palate in mind.”
“We have already tasted over 50 national chain buyers, prior to launch, on La Piazza and Allora to great acclaim. Their response has been tremendous, giving us a strong sense of urgency to get these wines into the U.S.” Arthur Massolo, EVP of Business Development for Pelican Brands
In the near future, Pelican Brands, Calatrasi and Mineo Family will launch a Super Premium brand for the On and Off- trade.
Maurizio Ghiori, CEO and Managing Director of Calatrasi and creator of Mineo Family Vineyards, said, “I strongly believe in the project and I think that Pelican Brands is the ideal partner for us. I believe that Calatrasi, Mineo Family and Pelican Brands will have great success in the U.S. market with La Piazza and the Allora brands.”
NOTE: Posted last month, we are very excited with our partnership with Maurizio and the whole Calatrasi team. These wines are an amazing value and in this market will out perform many long established brands.
