Market Watch

The modern California wine business was built by families—a wave of new, family-owned wineries that began in the 1960s and continued to blossom for years, captivated by the dream of growing grapes and making wine in the Golden State. But then the generations began to change, and in more recent years that shift brought changes in ownership too, with many family vintners selling out to larger players. Today the landscape of California wineries is very different than it was in those days, with more consolidation than anyone would have thought possible. But some family-owned wineries still survive and thrive, and J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines is one of them. J. Lohr was founded in 1974 by Jerry Lohr, who grew up on a South Dakota farm. From his early youth,…

Stoli Group USA Files For Bankruptcy…. Stoli Group USA has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a Texas district court, claiming assets of $100 million to $500 million and liabilities of $50 million to $100 million. The company, which says it’s experiencing financial difficulties amid challenges within beverage alcohol—and was hit by a major cyberattack recently—is continuing to operate as it attempts to restructure. Stoli’s core vodka is estimated at over 1 million cases in the U.S. The brand was down 12% by volume in control states in the year to date through October. The portfolio also includes Elit vodka, Kentucky Owl American whiskey, and Cenote Tequila. Stoli is owned by Russian-born billionaire Yuri Shefler, who was exiled from Russia two decades ago, with his SPI Group now based in…

D.C.: Formula 1-Themed Gaming Space Races Into Nation’s Capital Boasting racecar simulators and video games, plus a large bar and upscale food, F1 Arcade brings a new entertainment experience to Washington, D.C. The Formula 1 racing-themed space opened in October at Union Market, spanning more than 17,000 square feet. The concept offers car-themed cocktails by mixologist Lauren O’Brien, winner of Netflix’s “Drink Masters” show. Specialties include a clarified milk punch take on the Piña Colada called the Chicane Colada made with Brugal 1888 and Añejo rums, a Boulevardier made with locally produced Cotton & Reed rum, and a smoked Old Fashioned featuring Jefferson’s Ocean Bourbon (cocktails are $16-$30). A wide variety of beers are also available, spanning from Modelo and Heineken to Mustang Sally Brewing Co.’s Article One amber lager…

Glenmorangie A Tale Of Ice Cream Moët Hennessy’s Glenmorangie has released A Tale of Ice Cream, the latest dessert-inspired limited offering from the single malt Scotch brand. The 46% abv malt ($100 a 750-ml.) is a blend of whiskies aged in both ex-Bourbon casks and casks specially toasted to extract more vanillin from the charred wood. The limited edition whisky is available in select retailers. For more information, visit Glenmorangie.com. Glen Grant 25-Year-Old Glen Grant single malt Scotch, part of the Campari portfolio, is launching a 25-year-old expression in the U.S. The new 46% abv 25-year-old ($1,000 a 750-ml.) is part of the brand’s Glass-house Collection, which also includes a 21-year-old whisky ($360) that debuted earlier this year, as well as a 30-year-old bottling ($3,000) that will hit the market…

The window of popularity for eggnog is short—six to eight weeks at best—but during that timeframe eggnog is hugely popular. Many bars around the country add an eggnog to their menus during the holiday season, and bartenders say the drinks are well received and often requested by guests. Furthering its popularity, eggnog is a versatile base for a variety of spirits, from whisk(e)y and rum to Tequila, Cognac, or Sherry, meaning guests with all manner of spirits preferences can find a version they like. The Christmas-themed pop up bar concept Miracle was born in 2014 with a single New York City location, and it has now grown to more than 120 units in the United States during November and December, plus locations in Canada, Australia, England, Panama, Costa Rica, and…

From the moment he planted his first vineyard in California’s Arroyo Seco in 1972, Jerome “Jerry” Lohr had no doubt that he could build a million-case brand. “I didn’t ever want to tell people about it, they’d think it was pompous—that I had a plan to go to 1 million cases,” he says. “It took us 35 years or so, but we got there.” Indeed, 50 years after his first wines were bottled, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines is now among the most prodigious wineries in the U.S., but you’d be hard-pressed to hear the ever-humble Jerry brag, despite having the credentials to back it up. From a base of just 280 acres of vineyards in 1971, J. Lohr now owns some 4,000 acres of land, mostly in California’s Central…