Pura Vida Rides a Giant Wave of U.S. Expansion With a California Launch

Pura Vida, “The World’s Best Damn Tequila” just made another stellar strategic move to further anchor their ever-expanding presence in the United States. Pura Vida Tequila Company’s founder and Chairman, Stewart Skloss, announced that Young’s Market Company has been commissioned to be Pura Vida’s distributor in the premier tequila market of California. The company’s highly anticipated California launch will take-off October 16^th, 2011.

“Pura Vida Tequila is privileged to partner in California with Young’s Market — best in class and highly recognized in the industry, a perfect addition to the team,” said Skloss.

Founded in 1888, Young’s Market Company is one of the oldest continuously operating companies in the U.S. In the 78 years since Young’s Market Company began to engage exclusively in the sale and distribution of wine and spirits, it has grown from a relatively small local distributor servicing Southern California to the fourth largest wine and spirits distributor in the nation. Today Young’s operations extend across the United States with industry presence in California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Utah, Montana and Wyoming.

Industry research indicates that tequila is becoming hotter than ever and as its popularity expands, expectations are rising for the highest value at the best price — a feat that Pura Vida has pulled off time and again through the introduction of the only ultra-premium tequila available under $30. Additionally, research indicates what the makers of Pura Vida have always known — aficionados are becoming increasingly attuned to the body, taste, and smoothness of high-end tequila. Like connoisseurs of fine wine, today’s tequila drinkers will immediately identify — and reject — an inferior product.

Additionally, Skloss announced the appointment of liquor industry veteran Michael Hernandez to the position of Managing Director of California for Pura Vida. “Pura Vida has done an excellent job of attracting celebrity investors. To date I have met with Billy Gibbons (ZZ TOP), Mike Hampton(former MLB All-Star pitcher) and Tom Wood (Former INDY driver),” said Hernandez. “The endorsement and financial commitment of these celebrities who have chosen to partner with Pura Vida Tequila Company speaks volumes about the quality of the product and the ability of Pura Vida to continually thrive.” Indeed, Pura Vida Tequila hit Texas with a “helluva” splash in January 2011 and has been very well-received by the Lone Star state. Hernandez, whose name is well-known among Fortune 500 liquor companies, is an expert for product rollouts and growth strategies. Hernandez brings solid experience to the table including the coordination of the successful launches of such well-known tequila brands as Corralejo, Casa Noble, and Partida to the Western States.

“Pairing the expert liquor industry knowledge of Mr. Hernandez with the industry-recognized distribution skills of Young’s Market will ensure an extension of Pura Vida’s success in Texas to the California market,” said Skloss. Pura Vida offers a line of ultra-premium tequilas in three expressions: Silver, Gold and Añejo. An Extra-Añejo label will be released 4th Quarter 2011.

Creating a new sensation of enjoyment, Fuego Fino Inc. is introducing Sicario “S” Tequila to the world. Sicario “S” Tequila is the only 100 proof, 100 % Agave, organic tequila that is kosher certified. The one of a kind liquor goes above and beyond its competition by enduring a triple distillation process. Distillation is imperative when making tequila because it draws out impurities, leaving the liquor concentrated and pure. While S. Tequila’s competition only does this process twice, one can taste the difference in the product.

If you’ve yet to hear of S. Tequila, it has been taking the media by storm on social sites such as Twitter @SicarioTequila. Promoting the brand with some of the hottest models, one can say the “S” stands for sexy, smooth and seductive. However, the “S” actually stands for Sicario, which is a Spanish word for “hit man”. The fact that the company is 100% Mexican American owned and operated, may have something to do with the cool name.

Sicario “S” Tequila has a national tour planned to promote the liquor, so it will be reaching a city near you sooner than you think. In the meantime check out the website http://www.stequila.com to meet the sexy spokes models, watch behind the scenes footage of the photo shoots, and take a look at mixed drink recipes listed on their blog section. In addition, learn how to play some fun drinking games by accessing the mobile version of their site from your mobile phone.

Source: 24-7 pressrelease

The newest addition to the Tequila Don Julio portfolio combines the crisp agave flavor of a Blanco with the complexity of an Anejo

Tequila Don Julio®, Mexico’s most popular ultra-premium tequila, is celebrating Mexican Independence Day by introducing a new addition to its portfolio – the world’s first Anejo Claro, Tequila Don Julio 70. Created in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the year Don Julio Gonzalez began perfecting the art of tequila making, the innovative new Anejo Claro tequila combines traditional Anejo flavors that result from 18 months of barrel aging with the fresh agave flavor and silver color expected from an unaged Blanco tequila, demonstrating Tequila Don Julio’s continuing commitment to being a leader in the tequila industry.

In 1942, Don Julio Gonzalez began his tequila-making journey in his hometown of El Salvador, Mexico, in the Highlands regionLos Altos, which is known for its rich, clay soils and notable micro-climate ideal for growing blue agave. Don Julio Gonzalezspent several decades perfecting his art of tequila making until finally achieving a product with the highest standards of quality — Tequila Don Julio.

Today, Don Julio Gonzalez’s hand selected successor, Master Distiller Enrique de Colsa, is continuing the legacy of innovation by producing a truly unique tequila to honor the original “Don” of Tequila. Tequila Don Julio 70 is a new Anejo tequila that contains the smooth and complex flavor of an Anejo but is specially filtered to bring back the crisp agave flavor typically found in a Blanco.  A first of its kind, it is a true representation of the evolution of Anejo tequila and is produced using a process designed by de Colsa.  The finest blue agave plants are first hand selected by La Primavera’s jimadors to ensure quality standards that stem from the source.  The blue agave is then distilled and aged for 18 months in reclaimed American White Oak barrels. Once the tequila has reached maturity, it is carefully filtered through a custom process that restores the citrus and fruity agave flavor notes that are muted during the aging process to a more concentrated strength, resulting in a stronger flavor of the tequila’s raw materials. Another exemplary by-product of the filtration process is that the tequila returns to a clear silver color while maintaining the flavor of an Anejo.

“With a smooth and light character, opening with citrus notes similar to that of a Blanco tequila, yet exhibiting the notes of vanilla, wild honey and sweet toasted oak found in a quality Anejo, Tequila Don Julio 70 combines my favorite characteristics from both tequila varieties,” said Master Distiller Enrique de Colsa of his special reserve Anejo Claro.

“Tequila Don Julio has always been a brand that has set the standard for the tequila category and is once again challenging conventions by introducing the world’s first Anejo Claro, Tequila Don Julio 70. Created by our esteemed Master Distiller Enrique de Colsa, this new variant celebrates a momentous anniversary for the creator of Tequila Don Julio,” said David Barnett, Vice President of Tequila Don Julio. “This one-of-a-kind bottling is the ideal spirit to savor when toasting life’s celebratory moments. We hope that both aficionados and those new to tequila enjoy Tequila Don Julio 70 responsibly.”

Tequila Don Julio 70 will be available beginning Fall 2011. It has a suggested retail price of $70 and will be available in select spirits retailers nationwide. The makers of Tequila Don Julio remind you to enjoy Don Julio in moderation and to drink responsibly.

Additional information on the brand can currently be found on the Tequila Don Julio website at www.DonJulio.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/donjuliotequila and on Twitter at @donjuliotequila.

About Diageo

Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Windsor, Buchanan’s and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Jose Cuervo, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

Source: Diageo

Born Under the Mexican Sun, Latino Independent Distiller Launches ‘Tributo a Mi Padre,’ a Premium Tequila Crafted to Honor His Father’s Memory

Fulfilling a life-long dream and keeping a son’s promise, Latino entrepreneur and former head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Hector V. Barreto, officially launches Tributo a Mi Padre (Tribute to My Father), a premium tequila spirit, at the 6th Annual East L.A. Meets Napa Premiere Food and Wine Tasting Event, on Friday, July 8, in Union Station, Downtown Los Angeles.

Born under the Mexican sun in the region of Tequila, whose ancient Nahuatl name also means “a place of tribute,” Tributo is grown in the generational farmlands of the Barreto family and extracted only from the rich, blue agave plants which populate this fertile valley. Available in its three traditional presentations, Blanco, Reposado and Anejo, Tequila Tributo’s craftsmanship reflects a deep respect for the land in which it is produced and for the authentic tequila-making traditions that date back to the late 18th century.

Tributo’s original marketing and distribution plan calls for a phased release, which will commence in California –the world’s largest tequila market– and Nevada. Under a “Focused Market” hyper local approach, the label will provide sustained support and presence throughout the year in select urban markets. Distribution in the U.S. will be managed by Innovation Spirits, a company formed by Wines & Spirits industry executives with the goal of taking advantage of the growing market and consumer demand for specialty wines & liquor products.

Tequila Tributo’s unique story, with its ties to both Mexico and the U.S. Latino community, is at once reflective of the generational journey that millions of Mexicans have made to El Norte, and the great stories of entrepreneurial achievement and success that have added beautiful chapters to the story of America. Among them, the life of the late Hector Barreto Sr., a native of Jalisco, Mexico, who settled in the United States during the 1950s. Credited as the first president of the Kansas City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and a founding member of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), Mr. Barreto’s career and life have long been recognized and honored by the U.S. Latino community.

His son, Hector V. Barreto, inherited his father’s entrepreneurial spirit and public service vocation. From 2001 to 2006, he served as the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, under appointment by President George W. Bush, and unanimous approval by the U.S. Senate. He currently serves as Chairman of The Latino Coalition, a non-profit nationwide organization based in California, with offices in Washington, DC, and Guadalajara, Mexico.

The spirit of risk and adventure that have nurtured a son’s dream and love for his father, also created Tributo. An uncompromising focus on excellence and quality in craftsmanship, now sustain it. “Tributo A Mi Padre was created as a way of honoring my father’s memory, and a truly well lived life. It is my hope that this fine tequila will help others celebrate the special moments in their lives,” Barreto asserted.

“Tequila Tributo a Mi Padre holds in each of its bottles the essence of our culture, the flavor of our land, our passion for perfection, and an obsession to produce only the purest and most authentic tequila. Nothing more. Nothing less.”

About Tequila Tributo a Mi Padre

Tributo is the creation of multiple tequila experts and esteemed partners located in Mexico’s famous Tequila region. Additionally, the company announces the official launch party to be held July 8th at Union Station in Los Angeles, CA.  For more information, visit www.tributotequila.com

About Innovation Spirits, LLC

Innovation Spirits, LLC, is a spirits brand developer, marketing and sales company focused on the premium and super-premium segments of the industry. The company’s vision is to transcend the traditional product development process shackling the spirits industry and achieve a new standard for innovation. For more information, visit: www.innovationspirits.com

Source: Innovation Spirits, LLC

Tributo A Mi Padre, the new premium tequila, announces its general availability to United States distributors starting in June 2011.

Originally founded by the late Mr. Hector Barreto, Sr., founder of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Hector Barreto, Jr., has followed through on the dream and has completed the 10 year process of crafting this unique, premium tequila.  From harvest of the blue weber agave plant grown on the family property in the hills of Jalisco, located in Tequila Valley, to the distillation and bottling, this company is more than a business, it is a tribute to good life and family heritage.

“My father was a great man and well regarded in both Mexico and the U.S.,” stated Hector Barreto, President and CEO of Tributo Tequila. “Tributo A Mi Padre was created as a way of honoring my father’s memory, and a life truly well lived.  It is my hope that this fine tequila will help others celebrate the special moments in life.”

The Barreto family has carried a legacy within the Latino community and various government, business, and charitable groups.  Mr. Barreto is well known for his tenure as the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (2001-2006) and currently serves as chairman for The Latino Coalition (TLC).  At the annual Small Business Summit taking place this week in D.C., the inaugural Tributo Award will be presented to the Honorable Xavier Becerra, in recognition of significant contributions and leadership to the Latino Community and the United States.

“As a business man, my father had a sense for future trends and how to capitalize on them.  I am thrilled to make his last dream a reality. The spirit of tequila continues to be recognized as the fastest growing distilled spirits segment in both the U.S. and U.K.”

Tributo is the creation of multiple tequila experts and esteemed partners located in Mexico’s famous Tequila region. Additionally, the company announces the official launch party to be held July 8th at Union Station in Los Angeles, CA.  For more information please visit www.tributotequila.com

Source: Tributo Tequila

Artá (www.artatequila.com) announces today that it has expanded availability of its organic, small batch ultra premium tequila into Colorado. All three award-winning varietals — Silver, Reposado and Anejo — will now be available in bars and retail stores in key markets throughout the state.

“We’re proud to introduce our unique line of ultra premium tequila to a broader audience and build on the success Artá has seen in California,” said David Fox, founder and CEO. “Artá shares its best character traits with those who enjoy it most — active, authentic and aware of the world around us. This philosophy, coupled with its outstanding quality, will have people sipping Artá in Colorado and across the country.”

Artá Tequila hails from the birthplace of tequila, the small town of Urenal in the Jalisco region of Mexico. Grown on a single estate by an 11^th generation rancher, the 100% Blue Weber agave is crafted by a master distiller using traditional methods.

Fox founded Artá with the goal of growing, aging and bottling the finest tequilas in the world, within an eco-friendly, community-based model. From harvesting to distillation to bottling, Artá is committed to sustainable practices. The award winning packaging design is based entirely around the use of recycled materials, including the glass, cork and bottle top. Artá also donates 1% of profits toward making life better for the communities it works in and serves. This approach honors the founders’ personal ties to Mexico and its people.

About Artá
Artá Holdings was founded in 2008 by David Fox with the aim of growing, aging and bottling the finest range of tequilas in the world, and the core belief that an organization can “do good while doing well.” The single estate tequila is grown in Urenal, the birthplace of tequila, and the company is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Artá embodies the Art of Tequila and the Art of Life, by striving to bring people great tasting tequila that is harvested, distilled and bottled in an eco-friendly manner. Artá believes we can all enjoy top quality tequila while maintaining a better planet. The company’s corporate philanthropy program, 1% Promise, will donate materials and resources to deserving charities in the places where its employees, customers and business partners live.

Artá’s line of award-winning ultra premium tequila is available in three varietals: Silver, Reposado and Anejo.

Soure: Marketwire

New Launch Completes Brand Portfolio with 100% Fresh, Blue Agave Tequila

Sauza® Tequila, a member of the Beam Global Spirits & Wine family, announced the addition of Sauza® Blue to its portfolio, marking the Sauza brand’s first entry into 100% agave tequila.

Available in both Silver and Reposado, Sauza Blue Tequila features the same crisp, fresh agave flavors that consumers have come to expect from Sauza Tequila, now made from 100% blue agave. Both marques offer their own unique flavor profiles, with Sauza Blue Silver containing a sweet agave and peppery flavor combined with hints of honeysuckle, and Sauza Blue Reposado blending the taste of cooked agave with well-defined wood notes.

“Sauza prides itself on delivering the freshest tasting tequila in the industry, and introducing a tequila made from 100% fresh blue agave is a natural next step,” says Amy Weisenbach, Senior Director, Tequila, Beam Global Spirits & Wine. “Tequila is the second-largest category at Beam Global, and we recognize its huge potential for growth. Adding a pure 100% agave rounds out our portfolio and ensures that we have a tequila for every consumer and every occasion.”

Sauza Blue is crafted at the renowned Sauza Distillery in Jalisco, Mexico. The agave plants are put into tequila production within 48 hours of being hand-picked, then milled and steeped prior to cooking in a process called “Fresh Pressed Agave,” resulting in the freshest, natural, crisp agave flavor.

When entertaining at home this spring, serving margaritas made with Sauza Blue is an easy way to cool down as the weather heats up. The smooth, fresh flavor complements seasonal fruits such as lemons, strawberries and grapefruits, and is a great option for pitcher margaritas—perfect for a casual get-together at home, a warm-weather barbeque, or to make any night in a special occasion.

Sauza Blue Tequila is available in the U.S. this month with a suggested retail price of $18.99 for both Sauza Blue Silver and Sauza Blue Reposado.

New Tequila Launches with Major Soccer Sponsorship

El Zarco Tequila announced a marketing sponsorship alliance with Red Bull Arena today. The tequila’s sponsorship of the popular MLS Stadium will include in-arena brand exposure for the duration of the 2011 regular season, and will coincide with El Zarco’s launch in New York and New Jersey markets this month.

“We are excited to have El Zarco Tequila join the Red Bull Arena roster of valued sponsors,” said Erik Stover, Red Bull New York Managing Director. “We fully support and welcome partnership opportunities with new brands like El Zarco Tequila and hope this is the beginning of a fruitful relationship.”

Introduced nationally in 2011, El Zarco Tequila is part of the family-owned portfolio of Jersey City based Proximo, a supplier of many premium Tequilas in the United States. “El Zarco is recognizable for its clean, modern taste and striking bottle design,” said Elwyn Gladstone, SVP Marketing at Proximo Spirits. “It is a fresh entry into the fast growing but creatively uniform US tequila market.”

“As a major up and coming venue in the New York/New Jersey region, Red Bull Arena is a perfect fit for the fresh, modern taste of El Zarco Tequila,” continued Gladstone. “The world-class facilities offer a wonderful opportunity for consumers to experience this new tequila.  We’re very excited to get the season underway.”

About El Zarco Tequila

The newest addition to Proximo’s innovative line of tequilas, El Zarco is made from blue agave and double distilled for a clean, modern taste. Packaged in striking hand-painted bottles, El Zarco is superb in taste and value.  El Zarco is available as “Gold” and “Silver” and across all sizes (750 ml, 1 Liter and 1.75 Liter).  Typical retail price for El Zarco 750 ml is $14.99. More information on El Zarco Tequila can be found at www.ilovezarco.com.

For more information about El Zarco Tequila, please contact Evy Gonzales at evygonzales@yahoo.com – 917.554.5063

About Red Bull Arena

Red Bull Arena is a soccer-specific stadium located in Harrison, New Jersey that opened in 2010 and has quickly become the premier venue of its kind in the United States. Home of the New York Red Bulls Major League Soccer team, Red Bull Arena is easily accessible by public transportation. The stadium seats 25,000 spectators,  and includes 30 suites and 1,000 club seats, with seating as close as seven yards from the touchline. Red Bull Arena’s design also incorporates a dynamic 360-degree roof, which extends to just over the touchlines, with a 60 foot translucent section to allow natural light. Red Bull Arena provides the ultimate sporting experience for soccer and casual fans alike. Detailed information regarding Red Bull Arena can be found by logging onto www.redbullarena.us.

Source: PRNewswire

Famed Chefs Bruce and Eric Bromberg have incorporated Toro de Lidia Tequila as their tequila of choice into the menu of the acclaimed Blue Ribbon Restaurant chain. Their westward expansion from New York continues as they open the latest Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill in Las Vegas’ newest $3.9 Billion luxury Hotel and Casino, The Cosmopolitan.

Toro de Lidia Tequila, a new 100% Agave Tequila from the Jalisco region of Mexico, is also available in the Las Vegas market through Southern Wine and Spirits and will be expanding with Blue Ribbon Restaurants as the Bromberg Brothers open 24 more restaurants across the United States.

According to Larry Richardson, a fine spirits consultant from Spec’s Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods, “What separates Toro de Lidia from the rest of the pack is the way it is made. Most aged tequilas are stored in old whiskey barrels, which yields a much heavier bodied darker tequila with a bent towards the cinnamon, clove and cardamom profiles. Toro de Lidia uses uncharred American White Oak barrels and that yields a beautiful, soft finish with lighter bodied floral and fruit notes. Instead of covering up the agave, it supports it and yields a better balance. This gives Toro de Lidia a Brandy or Cognac mouth feel.”

Toro de Lidia is a fine Tequila that is produced with 100% of the finest selection of Blue Agave, using spring water to ferment and is aged in white oak barrels. Toro de Lidia is oxygenated, chilled to 4 degree centigrade then filtered through activated carbon filters before bottling, which makes it the smoothest tequila in the world.

The Bromberg Brothers have created their own food culture with the premier late night dining spots in New York, the publication of their cookbook “Blue Ribbon” and consistent placement in top ten lists as a top spot to eat and hang out.

Source: PR Newswire

Geography and discerning taste has made Arizona a destination for fine tequila and those who appreciate the same. However, in recent years the huge influx of humdrum, mass-produced artisan-style tequilas has muddied the tequila, so to speak. Even in the tequila mecca of Arizona, folks continue to seek a tequila that truly exhibits ultra-premium quality. Fortunately, Mejor Tequila has now arrived in Arizona to redefine the true ultra-premium standard.

Mejor Tequila Company, LLC, has partnered with Frank-Lin Beverage Group of Arizona, Inc. for the distribution of what has been described as the best in aroma, taste, finish and most importantly, uncompromising quality. Mejor’s rapidly growing popularity is attributed in part to its anti-mass production philosophy, which allows ample time for proprietary finishing processes to remove impurities others leave behind. Simply stated, Mejor believes in excess of quality versus economy of scale.

Not only is Mejor Tequila strictly micro-batched, but it is also distinguished through use of only hand-selected single-estate-grown agave, masterful distillation, advanced proprietary conditioning processes and its presentation in sophisticated packaging worthy of its character. Mejor Tequila is a true quality-focused, detail-oriented product of impeccable character, and those who know and appreciate tequila are taking notice.

Mejor tequilas have received many highly respected awards and honors over the past two years, including its latest run of gold medals from the 2010 Beverage Tasting Institute review for each of Mejor’s blanco, reposado, and añejo offerings. Also, the unique Mejor Pink Tequila — a sexed-up version of Mejor’s incredibly smooth agave-sweet blanco — is quickly becoming the go-to tequila for women and non-traditional tequila consumers looking for a spirit that makes a true fashion-forward statement.

Mejor officially launches in Arizona at the Phoenix Tequila Fest starting December 11, 2010. Mejor Tequila Company and Frank-Lin will be working closely together to ensure that every consumer in Arizona, who expects only the finest in tequila, at a remarkably good price, will have an opportunity to enjoy the Mejor experience at their retailer of choice.