Latest news with #Napa-based
San Francisco Chronicle
12-06-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
A major wine company is exiting California. Here's what it means
Alcohol distribution does not sound like an exciting topic, but it's suddenly the hot gossip within California wine circles. Republic National Distributing Co., the nation's second-largest alcohol wholesaler, announced last week that it will no longer do business in California after Sept. 2. It's sent more than 2,500 beverage brands scrambling to find a new distributor in the state. This reshuffling has generated so much attention largely because it looks like a dire warning for an industry already known to be in peril. If a wholesale behemoth is simply opting out of the largest wine market in the U.S. — if it would rather leave than try to compete — that seems like confirmation that the alcohol industry's downturn has not reached its bottom. While the Grand Prairie, Texas-based Republic National has not suggested that politics played a role in the decision, the news also may be resonating so widely in part because of the narrative it presents: A Texas company wants nothing to do with California. CEO Bob Hendrickson cited 'rising operational costs, industry head winds, and supplier changes' as reasons for the move. The latter is what everyone in the wine industry seems to be discussing. Some of Republic National's most important brands have defected lately to other distributors, especially to the beer-focused Reyes Beverage Group. Since the beginning of the year, the company has lost the right to sell top-selling spirits including Tito's, High Noon, Cutwater Spirits and Jack Daniel's, among many others. The loss of those brands had to be a major financial blow to Republic National. Why they all left, and all at once, is unclear. VinePair's Dave Infante posited that it was the result of Reyes' quest to increase its spirits portfolio after a change in California law made it easier for beer wholesalers to sell liquor. 'It left everybody in the lurch,' said John Buehler, owner of Napa Valley's Buehler Vineyards, where wholesale purchases drive 80% of the business. 'It was really such short notice.' Although Republic National continues to sell his wines in a few other states, he'll need to find a new California distributor. Many wineries and distilleries will now try to jump onto the lists of the other two big dogs, Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits or Breakthru Beverage Group. The Napa-based importer Wilson Daniels has already announced it's bringing its book of prestigious wines like Burgundy's Domaine de la Romanee-Conti and Piedmont's Gaja to Breakthru, while Treasury Americas president Ben Dollard said he's still 'evaluating alternative arrangements' for wineries including Beaulieu, Frank Family and Daou. Other producers will look to smaller distributors, like Chambers & Chambers or Skurnik Wines & Spirits, for their California sales. But in a contracting wine market, there may not be room for everybody on those lifeboats. 'It's going to be a thinning of the herd,' Buehler said. 'The ankle biters that were in that portfolio, the little guys — there's going to be a lot of collateral damage.' Republic National had only recently increased its presence in the Golden State when it completed the purchase of major California distributor Young's Market Co. in 2022. The industry analyst Impact Databank estimated the company's sales that year at $2.8 billion in California alone. Despite that considerable power, however, Buehler — who had been with Young's since 1992 and moved to Republic National as a result of that acquisition — said that Republic National consistently 'underperformed' for him in terms of sales. He now regrets waiting so long to find a new distributor. 'I think I should have seen the writing on the wall. You lose these suppliers, and you're not attracting any new suppliers,' he said. Still, 'I had no idea that they were going to close up shop.' At least Republic National appears to still be selling his wine ahead of the September shutdown date. 'I keep getting purchase orders,' Buehler said, 'so I guess it's business as usual.'
Forbes
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Red Wine Is The Ultimate Pairing For Dim Sum
The Prisoner Wine Company holds a wine and dim sum pairing in its Napa-based tasting room. The Prisoner Wine Company When reaching for a glass of wine to pair with anything spicy—specifically in the Asian style—I've always been one to reach for a Riesling first. It has been ingrained in wine drinkers that Riesling is the best pairing for foods with a kick, which is not untrue. The acidity and hint of sweetness of an off-dry bottle of this wine does complement the umami, spice and heat normally found in Thai, Chinese, Japanese and even Mexican food. 'The philosophy behind the traditional pairing of Riesling with dim sum is the idea of balancing the acidity of the wine with the salinity of the cuisine,' says Chef Brett Young, The Prisoner Wine Company director of culinary. 'Asian-style foods typically have a heat and salinity to them that make a white wine a common choice when selecting a wine pairing.' But, red wine shouldn't be off the table when it comes to perfect pairings. While many drinkers feel that red wine pairs best with heartier meals, like a steak or even a winter stew, there are lots of styles of red that work magic next to dumplings, fried rice and even pad Thai. 'I think many consumers think of bigger, fuller-bodied, higher-alcohol wines when they first think of red wines—and those don't always work with more complex flavors and spices,' says Adrienne Cooper, beverage manager at New York, NY-based Pinch Chinese. Cooper explains that drinkers need to also take how a dish is prepared, sauced and spiced when picking a wine to sip alongside. The Prisoner Wine Company demonstrates this in its tasting room in Napa, CA. The brand coordinates a Dim Sum food option along with its wine pairings, featuring its red wines in unconventional ways—the calling card of the brand. 'Dim Sum with our red blends is a great example of what can happen when you break free from tradition,' Young says. 'While the heat from a spicy dish can exacerbate the tannins in a structured red wine, the unexpected blends that The Prisoner is known for are less structured than the traditional Napa Valley red wine. This allows for a well-balanced flavor that complements the umami aspects of Asian-style foods.' However, it can get trickier if trying to pair wine yourself, either at a restaurant or at home. When picking a red wine to drink alongside an Asian style meal, Cooper explains to be careful not to generalize these cuisines and lump them into one category. Each, says Cooper, has its own highlights that need to be taken into account to create the best bite and sip. 'Across the board, things like soy, sesame, ginger, and garlic will be present, so you can start with wine that makes sense with those ingredients and then adjust accordingly to each style of preparation,' Cooper says. Cooper notes that starting with high acid reds, like Pinot Noir and Gamay, are a failsafe. For Japanese food—yes, even sushi—Cooper explains that a slightly chilled Blaufränkisch would be a surprisingly delicious pairing, even for a trained palate. For Thai, Cooper suggests Chilean Carménère. 'They originally thought this grape was Merlot, so you get a similar body and fruit-forward wine with just a hint of black pepper—the perfect companion to a Thai Curry,' Cooper says. However, if looking for a bottle in a pinch, Cooper says that reaching for a Cabernet Franc won't be disappointing with whatever style Asian food one may have. 'Another go-to red wine for me is Cabernet Franc, which is definitely having a moment in New York, with plenty of love in the Loire, of course. This is another wine that has great structure, acidity, and fruit without overbearing tannins. The wine's classic green bell pepper notes work perfectly in harmony with the bell pepper flavors found in many Asian cuisines,' Cooper says. Young also explains that red blends are always a good option, as they tend to have softer tannins that play nicely with spice. He also says that a Zinfandel can also play nice with Asian style foods, as the fruit-forward, juicy wine has just a hint of spice that plays well with a lot of dishes. Another thing to look for, says Young, is the use of Ponzu sauce, whether making dishes at home or having them out. This, he says, is absolutely a red wine darling, as it brings flavor notes of lemon and rice vinegar as well as a bright, tart flavor. 'Being creative and inventive with your ingredients can help open pairing options beyond the usual white wine for an at-home chef or someone looking to elevate a takeout dish,' he says.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MICHELLE ERLAND, HEAD OF COLANGELO & PARTNERS' DOMESTIC DIVISION, PROMOTES TO VICE PRESIDENT, JUNIOR PARTNER
Erland to Continue to Oversee the Dynamic C&P US Client Business in New Role SAN FRANCISCO, March 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of her leadership and the growth of Colangelo & Partners' domestic wine business, Michelle Erland has been promoted to Vice President, Junior Partner of Colangelo & Partners ( effective today. "Michelle has demonstrated great leadership, commitment and a tireless work ethic, strengthening our position in the very competitive American market," said Gino Colangelo, president of Colangelo & Partners. "Michelle has also built a dynamic team to support our domestic growth and expanded our breadth of services through her never-ending desire to learn and grow." Michelle began her career in hospitality, combining her passion for food and wine with storytelling on the restaurant floor. After earning her MBA from Johnson & Wales University, she transitioned into public relations, refining her communications expertise with Giovanni Rana in New York, London, and Verona, Italy. These formative experiences fostered a lasting appreciation for the creativity, connection, and fast-paced energy of the industry. Since joining Colangelo & Partners in 2019, Michelle has led high-profile campaigns and crisis communications for top food and wine brands across national and international markets. She has supported the team's continued growth of the domestic wine portfolio and played a key role in establishing its presence in the Pacific Northwest. In recognition of her work, she was named one of Beverage Information Group's "40 Under 40" future beverage leaders to watch and continues to serve as a respected voice in the industry, both as a publicist and sommelier contributor to leading food and wine publications. "I'm honored to take on this new role and to continue working alongside such talented colleagues," said Michelle Erland. "Over the years, I've had the privilege of working with some of the most respected names in wine, food, and hospitality, and I look forward to continuing to share their stories in ways that inspire and make an impact." Now in the agency's 19th year, Colangelo & Partners opened its West Coast operation in 2016, starting with a single client. The agency has grown its domestic presence to include the most prestigious client list in the industry (full list here: and built a top team of wine-focused PR professionals. Just last year, Colangelo & Partners announced the acquisition of Napa-based WineGlass Marketing ( enhancing the agency's digital service offering and establishing its physical presence in the heart of California wine country. "The most important asset an agency has is its team, the professionals that bring ideas to life and relentlessly pursue the impossible to achieve our clients' communications goals," added Felipe Gonzalez-Gordon, COO at Colangelo & Partners. "At Colangelo & Partners we are proud to have cultivated an environment where our team can leverage their passion for the industry and grow their careers, all while making our clients shine." About Colangelo & PartnersColangelo & Partners ( is the leading fine wine and spirits integrated communications agency in the United States, sought after by top brands and industry players for the quality of their results, creativity, and return on investment. The professionals at Colangelo & Partners work with integrity and passion to influence how US audiences perceive their clients: Earning consistent, high-quality positive media coverage; organizing signature events; strategizing and executing standout digital campaigns, and implementing trade programs that strengthen relationships within the industry. Colangelo & Partners' clientele includes global, instantly-recognizable brands and passionate, up-and-coming vignerons and distillers; regional and national institutions; and technology and e-commerce companies innovating in the beverage alcohol sector. Media ContactMackensie Stimpsonmstimpson@ Colangelo & Partners View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Colangelo & Partners Public Relations Sign in to access your portfolio
