Written by Ferron Salniker for BevNET.com
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE
VIEW THE PDF
Selected excerpts from the article
-
But smaller wineries have also been gradually moving into spirits. Some say they are applying the branding of wine to spirits and tapping into their networks of wine fans. El Negocio Tequila is one of them, which first sold for a whopping $10,000 at auction late last year. The splashy entrance was for charity purposes, but co-founder and Napa Valley vintner Adam Craun said auctioning off the tequila was a way to create buzz in a room full of legendary Napa Valley producers and wine collectors. Craun is founder of Memento Mori whose +$300 wines have developed a cult following.
Winemakers largely benefit from direct-to-consumer shipping that also allows for wine clubs, as well as tasting room sales. The legislation for distilled spirits is much different and varies significantly state-by-state, but for some wineries tackling those hurdles is an expansion that they hope is worth it in the long run.
As a nod to its collectors and tequila aficionados, every bottle from El Negocio’s premiere vintage is individually numbered for authenticity, he added. But that strategy is nothing new in agave spirits: tracing distillers, agaves, and batches fueled the cult following that catapulted mezcal into the mainstream.
-
About:
BevNET.com is the leading business resource for the beverage industry. The online publication covers the entire spectrum of beverages, from tea and coffee to wine and other alcoholic spirits. Topics include beverage trends, marketing initiatives, new products, and advice for wholesale and independent beverage distributors. (VPM: 211,516)
