WINE FAST TRACK BRANDS
( 000 9-Liter cases ) |
|
|
|
’ 21 /’ 22 |
BRAND |
SUPPLIER |
2021 |
2022P |
% CHG |
Bota Box |
DFV Wines |
10,500 |
10,900 |
3.8 % |
Bota Mini |
DFV Wines |
575 |
660 |
14.8 % |
Imagery |
The Wine Group |
261 |
357 |
36.8 % |
Fre |
Trinchero Family Estates |
313 |
344 |
9.9 % |
The Prisoner |
Constellation Brands |
267 |
287 |
7.5 % |
1924 |
DFV Wines |
220 |
220 |
0.2 % |
Redwood Vineyards |
Bronco Wine Co . |
144 |
206 |
43.1 % |
Source : The Beverage Information Group ' s 2023 Industry Overview Handbook ( P ) Preliminary
Rising Star
Raising Star
of marketing for The Wine Group ’ s Imagery Estate Winery , a Fast Track winner , and Tribute Wines , which is a Rising Star brand this year . “ Younger consumers are often drinking less , but spending more per bottle ,” she says .
“ In a premium price segment , we ’ re benefiting from consumer trading up and looking for quality .”
Tribute , a brand spearheaded by Chris Benziger — the youngest of the seven Benziger siblings — is driving growth in both retail and on-premise , says Weisgerber . “ Benziger ’ s passion for telling the brand story helped build momentum for Tribute and continues to drive its success .”
The Tribute brand aims to deliver rich , bold wines rooted in multiple generations of Benziger family winemaking , crafted to celebrate relationships , bonds and milestones — big and small , she adds .
Launched in 1986 when winemaker Joe Benziger partnered with artist Bob Nugent , Imagery includes unique artwork on every label . “ Imagery ’ s household penetration increased 33 % in 2022 , with growth driven by strong on-premise , direct-to-consumer sales and the continued partnership with Delta Airlines ,” Weisgerber says . Imagery cabernet and chardonnay are featured as the premium beverage across all Delta domestic flights .
At the same time that some brands aim to head a bit more upscale , some of the higher-end wineries are looking to make their offerings more accessible with lower-tier brands . Booker Vineyard , acquired by Constellation Brands in 2021 , launched Harvey & Harriet in 2019 as a lower-price option to its core line .
Harvey & Harriet , named for winemaker Eric Jensen ’ s parents , retails for about $ 30 per 750-ml . bottle . The Rising Star winner , which the company describes as “ affordable , cult-style wine ,” grew a whopping 87.4 % in 2022 .
THE LIGHTER SIDE In addition to the struggle to attract younger consumers , another headwind for wine is that it ’ s less likely to be considered a “ better for you ” option , compared to hard seltzers and low- / no-alcohol beer , says Velez .
But several wine brands have launched lower-calorie , lower-alcohol extensions . Treasury Wines , for instance , two years ago released the lower-alcohol Matua Lighter , which won a Rising Star award this year .
Trinchero Family Estates has FRE Alcohol-Removed Wines , a Fast Track Award winner , and Mind & Body , a premium , low-calorie , low-alcohol brand that launched two years ago and won another Rising Star Award .
The Australian wine brand Yellow Tail , imported by Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits , in May 2021 introduced Yellow Tail Pure Bright , a lower-calorie and lower-alcohol wine . The line , which includes chardonnay , pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc , grew 43 % in 2022 and won a Rising Star Award this year .
Bota Box Breeze , a three-yearold line of 3-liter boxed wines that ’ s lower in calories , carbohydrates and
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