SAPPORO LAUNCHES “TAKE A LEGENDARY JOURNEY” SUMMER SWEEPSTAKES One Lucky Consumer to Win a Grand Prize Trip of a Lifetime to Tokyo

Sapporo, the #1 selling Asian beer in the U.S. and Japan’s oldest beer brand (www.sapporobeer.com), is launching its “Take a Legendary Journey”sweepstakes today. The annual summer sweepstakes is open through August 27. The grand prize winner will win a trip for two to Tokyo. This prize package for two includes round trip economy air fare, accommodations for an 8 day/7 night trip and $2,400 to use for ground transportation and spending and a branded HD Activity Camera. The winner will be announced at the end of August. Sapporo will also award 12 weekly prizes of branded HD Activity Cameras. Winners will be selected randomly and contacted by phone and/or e-mail.All winners will be announced on Sapporo’s Facebook page. Terms and conditions governing the sweepstakes are set forth in the Official Rules, located on Sapporo’s Facebook page. 

  
The sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 21 years of age or older. U.S. residents can enter the sweepstakes each day by visiting www.facebook.com/SAPPOROUSA and clicking on the sweepstakes tab. They will then be prompted to enter their contact information. The grand prize winner can document their trip to Tokyo with their HD camera and post pictures to Sapporo’s Facebook page.
“This year’s summer sweepstakes is the largest we have ever offered,” said Tsukasa “Louis” Orui, President of Sapporo U.S.A. “The winner of this trip will travel to Japan and be immersed in local atmosphere, and culture that defines Tokyo. It is an appropriately legendary journey for a legendary biru.” 
  
The annual sweepstakes continually grows in popularity and in 2013 Sapporo received more than 120,000 entries. To help spread the word about the sweepstakes, Sapporo has sent point of sale (POS) items including posters, coasters and table tent cards to select establishments that serve Sapporo beer. Banner ads will also be running on partner sites including Hulu, Thrillist and UrbanDaddy. Sapporo also just launched its first U.S. TV commercial, “Legendary Biru: After Dark.” The commercial fuses traditional Japanese iconography with a modern, cosmopolitan sensibility.  

Laphroaig® Single Malt Scotch Whisky Welcomes All Opinions New Interactive Campaign Encourages Whisky Drinkers Around the World to Share Their Reactions to Tasting Laphroaig®

Laphroaig®, the world's #1 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, is unveiling its new global advertising and digital campaign featuring candid, real-life opinions of Laphroaig® from some of the brands biggest fans. The idea behind "#OpinionsWelcome" is to inspire whisky drinkers to share their own personal Laphroaig® "tasting notes" by showcasing the often offbeat and unique descriptions that members of Friends of Laphroaig®, the brand's distinguished loyalty group, have provided over the years, as well as first-time Laphroaig drinkers. By commemorating the passion of an enlightened few, Laphroaig® hopes to intrigue those who are unfamiliar with, but interested in trying it for the first time.

With authentic descriptions like, "Smells like medicine. Tastes like soil. My whisky of choice," and "Salt, peat, smoke, iodine and seaweed. My friend the oceanographer said it tasted 'like dead fish' I was hooked," the campaign will be brought to life through print and digital ads, as well as video content.

"Laphroaig® has long been a brand that elicited diverse and strong opinions from those who taste it, and the quotes we've selected to showcase at the launch of the campaign honor our long time friends and represent their affinity for Laphroaig®," said John Campbell, Laphroaig® Master Distiller. "These authentic reactions will entice those unfamiliar with the whisky and inspire them to share their own opinions of Laphroaig®."

At the heart of the campaign is a microsite www.Laphroaig.com/Opinions which will act as the central hub for the public to submit their own opinions of Laphroaig®. In addition to showcasing the content online, some of the newly generated opinions will be selected and used within future advertisements and as brand content in the Laphroaig® social media channels. To further inspire intrigue, a series of viral videos titled,#OpinionsWelcome, will feature various people tasting Laphroaig® and openly sharing their tasting experience with the liquid -- whether positive or negative. The videos will premiere throughout 2014 and can be viewed at www.Laphroaig.com/Opinions and athttp://www.YouTube.com.

Fans are encouraged to join the discussion and share their opinions by using the hashtag #OpinionsWelcome on Facebook and Twitter.

To learn more about Laphroaig® Scotch Whisky, #OpinionsWelcome, or how to become a Friend of Laphroaig®, visit www.Laphroaig.com, LIKE us on Facebook www.Facebook.com/Laphroaig, or follow us on Twitter @Laphroaig.

SIDNEY FRANK IMPORTING COMPANY NAMED EXCLUSIVE U.S. IMPORTER AND DISTRIBUTOR OF MONKEY 47 SCHWARZWALD DRY GIN

Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc., and Black Forest Distillers of Germany jointly announce that Sidney Frank Importing Company Inc. will become the exclusive importer and distributor of MONKEY 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin in the United States, as well as Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, effective immediately.

 

MONKEY 47 is a batch distilled, handcrafted dry gin that skillfully unites British traditions, the exoticism of India and the purity and nativeness of the Black Forest. It is this eccentricity that defines the enigmatic character of Commander Montgomery Collins, from whom MONKEY 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin originates. Collins’ childhood as the son of a diplomat in East Asia, his military career in Berlin and his late-adopted home in the Black Forest, supply the background for a recipe that represents an audacious combination of 47 handpicked natural ingredients. As a British gentleman, Collins was not willing to give up his appreciation for gin and used regional and unusual botanicals such as lingonberries and exotic Asian botanicals to develop his Black Forest Gin.

 

In 2006, Alexander Stein, Founder and Managing Partner of Black Forest Distillers, learned of Collins’ extraordinary gin recipe and made the acquaintance of the highly acclaimed distiller, Christoph Keller. Together they fine-tuned the recipe and tirelessly worked to introduce a high-quality gin in honor of Commander Collins and his monkey Max. In other words, they created MONKEY 47, a dry gin with an unrivaled complexity and quality, distilled from 47 botanicals and macerated in a combination of pure molasses alcohol and extremely soft natural spring water.

 

“The global response to MONKEY 47 has been overwhelming and we have seen a tremendous demand to expand into other markets. Our first batch was sold out within a few short weeks and all further batches were ordered before the bottles had even been filled,” says Alexander Stein. “We are excited to partner with brand building expert Sidney Frank Importing Company as we bring our highly sought after Schwarzwald dry gin to the United States.”

 

“We are delighted to add the ultra-quality dry gin, MONKEY 47, to our portfolio,” says Bill Henderson, Executive Vice President of Marketing at Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc. “MONKEY 47 is the rare but true combination of a handcrafted product with an authentic story, award-winning packaging and a perfectly balanced taste.”

 

MONKEY 47 was first introduced in Germany in May, 2010. Beyond its domestic market, the monkey from the Black Forest is available in 20 countries and has received top honors from around the world for both taste and design, including Gold Medal at the Beverage Tasting Institute, Gold - Best in Class for Gin Worldwide at The International Wine & Spirits Competition, Gold at The World Spirits Awards, a Red Dot award for packaging design and the recent nomination for Spirit of the Year at The Mixology Awards. Additionally, Drink International Global Survey just ranked MONKEY 47 as number four of the top 10 trending gin brands served at the World’s 50 Best Bars.

 

Whether with tonic, as a sling, martini or gimlet, the complex taste of MONKEY 47 is an ideal base for both classic and eccentric cocktails. This Schwarzwald dry gin is full of character and boasts a distinct and pure scent of juniper with a subtle floral note, crisp citrus notes and a hint of peppery spices. MONKEY 47 is 47% alc./vol. and available in a 375ml size with a suggested retail price of $44.99. Visit www.monkey47.com  or www.facebook.com/MONKEY47drygin for additional information.

SOLERNO LAUNCHES DRINK~PLAY~LOVE EVENT SERIES Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur to Introduce Cultural Experiential Events Nationwide

To kick off the summer season, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur is launching Drink~Play~Love, a unique platform comprised of experiential cultural events accompanied by Solerno signature cocktails, that will pop-up in cities nationwide through October.

The program will launch in markets across the United States, and kicked-off in Miami on Monday, June 16^th at The Ritz Carlton - Key Biscayne. The kick-off event of the series consisted of a signature hour-long evening yoga class dubbed Solerno Sunset Salutations, led by acclaimed instructors. Following the yoga class, Solerno mixologists led participants in a Do-it-Yourself Solerno & Sparkling Bar to illustrate the distinguished versatility of the blood orange spirit. Variations of sparkling beverages, garnishes and fruits were available to mix with Solerno to create a delicious cocktail fit for any palate.

“Solerno’s Drink~Play~Love event series is our effort to reach those who seek to find the balance between work and play,” said Jaime Gorman, Solerno Brand Manager.  “We want to give our consumers an opportunity to take a break from their hectic day, unwind with a cocktail, and revitalize their mind, body and soul.”

Solerno is one of the first liquor brands to dive into the wellness space and through the Drink~Play~Love platform, the brand aims to educate new consumers and maintain the loyalty of existing ones through this innovative platform. Future events will evolve from market to market and will aim to reach a varied consumer base according to interests and activities, but Sunset Salutations will be one of the signature events within the series.

Solerno’s Drink.Play.Love series began in Miami, FL at The Ritz Carlton - Key Biscayne on Monday June 16^th, 2014, then moving on to Boston, New York, Chicago, Austin, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle through October.

Carolyn Wente of Wente Family Estates Elected Wine Institute Board Chairman

SAN FRANCISCO — Wine Institute, the public policy advocacy association representing nearly 1,000 California wineries, announced the election of Carolyn Wente as its 2014-2015 Board Chairman. Wente is the chief executive officer of Wente Family Estates in Livermore and the fifth Wente family member to serve as a Wine Institute chairman. The election was held at Wine Institute's 80th Annual Meeting of Members in Half Moon Bay where other board officers elected were: Greg Coleman of E. & J. Gallo Winery in Modesto, first vice chairman; Margie Healy of Korbel Champagne Cellars in Guerneville, second vice chairman; Steve Lohr of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines in San Jose, treasurer; and Chris Indelicato of Delicato Family Vineyards in Napa, secretary. Robert P. (Bobby) Koch is president and CEO of Wine Institute.

"The 80th anniversary of Wine Institute's establishment marks tremendous growth of California wine from about 14 million cases in 1934 to 272 million in 2013. Wine Institute has supported this growth by promoting and protecting the interests of California wine and all wine in Washington, D.C., all 50 states and the international arena," said Wente. "Preventing punitive taxes and fees, monopoly protection and restrictive trade barriers are part of the vigilant, daily work of Wine Institute. The organization also supports expanding exports, direct-to-consumer shipping, sustainable winegrowing and communicating the values and benefits of the California wine industry. I am honored to chair this vital work with my fellow vintners."

As a fourth-generation winegrower, Wente joined her family's winery in the early 1980s and helped expand and grow its portfolio of wines as well as develop the family's lifestyle business. This included the opening of the Zagat-rated Wente Vineyards Restaurant and Visitors Center in 1986, the winery's Concerts in the Vineyard entertainment series, and its 18-hole championship golf course. Among her many awards and board services are the Woman of the Year Award from the California State Assembly, Wine Enthusiast American Winery of the Year Award in 2011, and participation in the U.S. State Department Fine Arts Committee.