In this month’s distribution moves, Tequila ready-to-drink brands (RTD) Tequio and SipMargs expand with major partners, Bardstown Bourbon makes moves in New York, and Archer Roose flies into a major travel channel.
SipMargs Hits California With SGWS
SipMargs, the ready-to-drink (RTD) sparkling margarita brand backed by Kygo and Myles Shear’s Palm Tree Crew, and social media powerhouse Alix Earle, is expanding distribution to California in partnership with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (SGWS).
The expansion represents a major milestone in the brand’s distribution strategy since a $3 million raise in March. The product has hit retailers across the state, including BevMo, Bristol Farms, Lazy Acres, and Total Wine & More. The deal grants SGWS another RTD in its Golden State book as competitor Reyes Beverage Group expands its spirits portfolio following Republic National Distributing Company’s (RNDC) exit.
Tequio Joins Foley Family, Expands Nationally
Foley Family Wines & Spirits (FFWS) has added Tequio Tequila Cocktails to its global portfolio of spirits, marking a national leap for the tequila RTD.
The brand highly differentiates from the other recent RTD addition to the FFWS portfolio, high-ABV SABÉ, and sits at the intersection of two fast-growing segments (tequila and RTDs), said Jason Daniel, CMO of Foley FFWS.
FFWS is now the exclusive agent to import, sell and distribute Tequio Tequila Cocktails in the U.S. and globally, with Tequio rolling out nationally – a big leap from its current distribution in California and Mexico.
Archer Roose Grows Wings
Canned wine brand Archer Roose Wines and JetBlue are taking happy hour to new heights with the launch of their first signature cocktail, the Skyhigh Spritz.
Travelers can now order the Skyhigh Spritz on all JetBlue flights in core seats for purchase and EvenMore seats for free. Archer Roose Wines’ co-owner and chief creative officer Elizabeth Banks also stars in a cheeky new seatback appearance guiding flyers on how to channel their inner mixologist. Clearly aiming to make inroads into the travel channel, the launch comes on the heels of Archer Roose Wines’ fleetwide debut aboard Princess Cruises.
Bardstown Bourbon Makes a Change in NY
Lofted Spirits, parent company of Bardstown Bourbon and Green River Whiskey brands, is switching distribution in New York from Empire Merchants to the newly formed New York Wine & Spirits Collective, a partnership of Molson Coors distributors.
The New York Wine & Spirits Collective unites Manhattan Beer & Beverage, DeCrescente Distributing Co., McCraith Beverages, High Peaks Distributing, AL George and Wright Beverage Distributing.
“With this realignment, we are positioned to better serve accounts, elevate execution and unlock growth in a market that has been historically underserved,” said Scott Blazek, chief commercial officer of Lofted Spirits in a press release.
The New York alignment continues Lofted Spirits’ coast-to-coast expansion strategy, which in recent months has included distribution in New Jersey with Garden State Premier Wholesalers, a similarly constructed new collective of distributors.
NEFT Vodka Rolls Into NorCal Events
NEFT Vodka, the vodka housed in a signature barrel, is rolling into new entertainment channels as the featured vodka sponsor across events produced by NPU Live, the San Francisco-based live event production company.
Together with NPU Live’s portfolio of venues – including the Palace of Fine Arts, SVN West, The Mint, Pier 80, Storek, Golden Gate Park, and additional open-air and adaptive spaces – the partnership brings NEFT into over 250 live events across all of NPU Live’s key promoter partners now through 2026.