Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/884376
14 / the tasting panel / october 2017 INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT B eginning January 1, the Frescobaldi Group will divide importation of its U.S. portfolio between Shaw-Ross International for the Frescobaldi brand and Danzante, while Vintus Wines will import Masseto, Ornellaia, Luce della Vite, and Attems. The entire portfolio had previously been imported by Folio Fine Wine Partners. The division is in accordance with Frescobaldi Group's global policy, of which the U.S. has been an exception up to this point. The cruise line, airline, and duty-free business for the Frescobaldi Group will continue to be handled by Slainte Wines, with whom the Group has been doing business for 14 years. "We would like to thank Michael Mondavi and his great team of fine wine professionals for bringing our company and our brands to this point in their development in the U.S. market," Frescobaldi Group President Lamberto Frescobaldi says. "It is our desire to take our business to a new level of sales and distribution in the U.S. by separat- ing the brands." The Frescobaldi and Mondavi fami- lies have a long history of working together in various facets of the wine business, starting with the develop- ment of Luce della Vite in the early 1990s and continuing with the joint acquisition of Ornellaia in 2002. The Frescobaldi Group joined Folio Fine Wine Partners when the company first opened in 2005. "Our success in the U.S. and the development of both Ornellaia and Luce della Vite will be forever tied to Michael Mondavi and the Mondavi family," Frescobaldi adds. "They built the foundation for our success in the U.S. For that, we will always be grateful." Frescobaldi Group Names New Importer Partnerships for 2018 Rebecca Running Joins Santo Mezquila Team as General Manager R ebecca Running joined Los Santos, LLC, effective September 11, to fill the new position of General Manager solely respon- sible for Santo Mezquila. Rebecca will work under the direction of the Los Santos, LLC partners Jack Daniels, Marco Monroy, Sammy Hagar, and Adam Levine. Running is moving to Santo from Infinium Spirits, where she was a Vice President of Sales. In her new position, Running will continue to support the efforts of Infinium Spirits, Santo Mezquila's national importer, in develop- ing the Santo Mezquila brand throughout the United States. Andrea Cromaz has been promoted to Senior Brand Manager at Infinium Spirits and will assume responsibility for Santo Mezquila and other strategic brands within the Infinium Spirits portfolio. Samantha Pettinger will continue in her role as Brand Manager. "This represents another step forward for both Infinium Spirits and Los Santos LLC and will strongly enhance the partnership between our two companies," Steve Brecher, President of Infinium Spirits, says. "Santo Mezquila is off to a strong start and has the potential to be a real game-changer in the spirits industry."