Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/807384
april 2017 / the tasting panel / 57 keeps the production floor running in a smooth, streamlined manner. In late 2016, Howard and Sharma brought on Kristy Barefoot as Director of Trade Marketing; her background with larger companies such as Brown Forman and the Moët-Hennessy division of LVMH has afforded her the know-how in strategically ushering brands to mar- ket. "It's an exciting time at Southwest Spirits & Wine rolling out the concept brands like Calamity Gin while working on the brands we have already devel- oped," says Barefoot. "This is a great portfolio that the team has put together in a short period of time because we have a seasoned team of professionals. Being able to make decisions regarding packaging, production and marketing under one roof is a definite advantage." And the business is growing fast. The core brands that the company owns include NUE Vodka, J. R. Ewing Bourbon, Title 21 American Whiskey, Henderson American Whiskey, Knockmore Irish Whiskey and Calamity Gin; the last two brands were just released earlier this year. In addi- tion, they own the licensing rights for other brands they produce. Currently, Southwest Spirits & Wines: produces, blends, bottles, imports/exports, sells and markets more than 150 SKU's and more than 25 unique spirits brands. In 2016, the company shipped more than 135,000 cases. Some may call it a one-stop-shop, but Sharma likes to call it a full-service brand incubator. "We want to be a partner for wine and spirit products that may be missing a few key pieces to make their business work." says Sharma. On the Rocks One of Southwest's most recently licensed clients, On the Rocks Cocktails, is an example of a company that welcomed the menu of benefits afforded under the Southwest Spirits & Wine umbrella. Founded by Dallas business investor Patrick Halbert and seasoned bar manager Rocco Milano, formerly of the Mansion on Turtle Creek, On the Rocks set out to take the beauty of the new and classic craft cocktails and offer them to the con- sumers in one simple bottle that only requires a glass with ice to enjoy. While On the Rocks developed the initial formulas and quality ingredients, they needed help with production, distribu- tion and trade activation follow up. "The initial phase of the relationship was through the trademark and pro- duction for them," Says Howard. "Once they understood the other services that Southwest offers, they quickly became interested in our help. Because of OTR's rapid growth through chain mandates, we managed all of their compliance work, which grew into assisting the sales and trade manage- ment of the brands. The On the Rocks Cocktails management team can focus on the marketing and institutional opportunities. Because of our partner- ship with OTR, it's one of the products that we are most excited about." Down the Bottling Line With efforts in full swing for enabling all of their current brands, Howard sees a bright future for acquiring more brands or creating products from concepts, which means expanding the capabilities of their existing facility. "Our long term vision is to grow our production capabilities within our own plant so that we can grow our equity brands and continue to service the brands that we have licensing rights to," says Howard. On the horizon, is the addition of another bottling line, a larger-sized still for increased distilla- tion volume, a redesign of the existing storage space onsite, not only for finished product but also for a larger more efficient racking area to increase the barrel-aging capacity for the company's brown spirit brands. In addition, one key element on which Howard and Sharma hold their focus is the importance of delivering brands that are not only made with quality ingredi- ents but are decidedly delicious."Quality and taste are what dictate the direction of any of our brands," says Howard. "We don't want any of our partners to get too swept up in the romance of creating a spirit or wine if the end result isn't something the average consumer won't like to drink." Looking at the many opportunities this unique company can afford a num- ber of different brands as they come to the market, Howard is most excited about moving forward with a hardwork- ing team that has managed to assemble the many pieces of this puzzle together so quickly. "Our motto within our team is that 'It takes a village,' and this village is in just the right position to be one of the first of our kind in the spirits and wine business. It's an exciting time for Southwest Spirits & Wine." Currently, Southwest Spirits & Wines produces, bottles, blends, imports, sells and markets more than 150 SKUs and more than 25 unique spirits brands, including Calamity Gin, J. R. Ewing Bourbon, NUE Vodka and Knockmore Irish Whiskey (pictured at Hotel Lorenzo in Dallas, TX).