Indianapolis, IN – July 12, 2011 – Paddington Brands announced today that it has launched its Agostón wine brand through Walgreens, the nation’s largest drugstore chain.  Bodegas Virgen del Aguila, the Spanish wine cooperative, confirmed Paddington Brands as the exclusive U.S. importer of Agoston wines.

 

“When we first tasted Agostón, we knew this was a wine that would appeal to American consumers,” said J. Smoke Wallin, chairman and CEO of Paddington Brands. “Year after year Agoston has been receiving 90+ points in the Penin Wine Rating Guide, which is Spain’s equivalent to Robert Parker ratings. We have worked with Walgreens in order to bring this savory wine to the United States at an affordable price.”

 

In April Paddington launched both a syrah/garnacha and a tempranillo/cabernet blend in more than 4,000 Walgreens stores. The wines, priced at $5.99 a bottle in most states, have become one of the drugstore chain’s top selling imported wine brands.

 

“Agostón is a great addition to Walgreens wine selection as our first Spanish wine,” said Dex McCreary, Walgreens divisional merchandise manager. “We look forward to working with Paddington Brands to promote this brand and make this quality import a success.”

 

“We were immediately impressed with the knowledge, drive and ‘can do’ approach of the entire Paddington team,” said Jose Maria Andres, CEO of Bodegas Virgen del Aguila co-operative. “We are proud to work with Paddington to launch this wine with such an important retailer like Walgreens, a company that will advance the development of the Agostón brand.”

 

About Agostón

Agostón is named after the wild Spanish boar and is made by the Bodegas Virgen del Aguila co-operative. Located in the great wine-producing area of northern Spain we´re lucky to have a climate and terroir ideal for making quality wines full of character. Here we have 2,200 hectares of vines, planted with a good range of grape varieties, including the native Tempranillos and Garnachas, as well as international varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Our oldest vines date from the year 1906 and help create wines of superb intensity, such as our Agostón range.

 

Our vineyards are located in the scenic foothills of the Ibérico mountain range and we have a wide variety of landscapes and eco-systems within our demarcated area. Under half of our land is taken up by vines, the rest being undisturbed areas of rocky outcrops and forested mountain slopes, dry river beds, wild-flower margins and old almond groves. This makes it and its surrounding area a zone of high biodiversity and an ideal wildlife haven, something that we’re committed to safe-guarding.  The winery produces close to 10 million litres of wine a year, with a full range of styles, including young fresh whites and rosés, intense aromatic reds and complex oak-aged “Crianzas” and “Reservas”. The winery is modern, and fully equipped and the underground maturation cellars have 13,000 oak barrels.  

 

 

 

 

About Paddington Brands
Paddington Brands (www.Paddingtonbrands.com) manages a portfolio of owned and agency premiere import & craft beers, artisanal spirits and fine wines.  Paddington’s team and partners have extensive experience in the global beverage and consumer packaged goods industries. Paddington owns the Napa Smith Brewery & Winery and 3 Amigos Tequila.  Paddington is headquartered in Metro-Indianapolis, IN, with offices in the United Kingdom and Napa, CA and a sales team covering the U.S. market and select international markets. Join us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paddington-Brands/220043258012149 and Follow us on Twitter @Paddingtonbrands

 

About Walgreens

Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2010 sales of $67 billion. The company operates 7,733 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.

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.

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.

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

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

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