News Briefs
Constellation Brands’ Franciscan Estates has changed its name to Icon Estates. The company says the change reflects the addition of the Robert Mondavi and Ruffino brands, and better represents the brand histories and properties within the portfolio.
Starbucks will close its Torrefazione Italia cafes and focus the brand on
grocery and foodservice accounts. Starbucks acquired the Italian-style
coffee chain, which has 17 stores, along with Seattle’s
Best Coffee in 2003. It expanded its licensing
and distribution agreement with Kraft Foods last year to include the brands in grocery stores.
Triple A Products, Boca
Raton, Fla., announced its VitaZest Vitamin and Fruit Enriched Water will
be available in 55 Gristedes locations in New York. The line of sugar-free
waters includes eight flavors.
Vin & Sprit has agreed
to purchase a controlling stake in Cruzan
International, maker of Cruzan Rum, for almost
$122 million. The two companies have had a distribution agreement since
2003, and expect the transaction to close in September.
Glazer’s Distributors
announced that Johnson Brothers Illinois operations will become a division of Union Beverage Co. The move will
bring products from E&J Gallo, Kendall-Jackson, Pacific Wine Partners and United States Distilled
Products into Union Beverage operations.
Drinks Americas will purchase Rheingold Beer, and Rheingold Brewing Co. President Norm
Snyder will join the Drink Americas management team, the company announced
last month. “The Rheingold trademark is a New York icon, known and
enjoyed throughout the market,” says Patrick Kenny, chief executive
officer at Drinks Americas. “Rheingold fits into our distribution
network; many of our non-alcoholic distribution partners are beer wholesalers.”