Albertsons Toasts New Private Label Bee Lightly Wines
Albertsons Companies, Inc. has launched Bee Lightly , the newest addition to the company’s Own Brands wine portfolio, distinguished by its unique flat bottle design crafted from 100 percent recycled polyethylene terephthalate. This innovative approach to wine packaging marks a first in the U.S. market, underscoring a commitment to recycled packaging solutions without compromising on the quality and flavor of wine that customers expect. With 91-point ratings from The Tasting Panel *, both the 2022 Bee Lightly Chardonnay and the 2023 Bee Lightly Rosé were developed with shoppers in mind, offering acclaimed French wines that are affordable and create a delightful experience with every sip.
“At Albertsons Cos., we are continuously looking for ways to distinguish ourselves within the wine sector and to expand our diverse selection of quality wines for our customers,” said Curtis Mann, Master of Wines at Albertsons Cos. “By launching our new Bee Lightly selection, we are offering shoppers quality, affordable wines from France while also redefining wine packaging standards.”
Bee Lightly is available at select Albertsons Cos. stores including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco and ACME, and for delivery soon through Vine & Cellar in California. The new wines feature carefully selected chardonnay and rosé varietals sourced from the up-and-coming Hérault and Limoux regions.
- Bee Lightly Chardonnay : Harvested at night from a collective of vineyards and fermented in thermoregulated tanks to ensure an optimal environment, the chardonnay offers a unique palate with bright and intense aromas of melons and pears, with a hint of fresh butter and subtle honey and oak balance.
- Bee Lightly Rosé : Capturing the essence of Southern France with its pale salmon color, the rosé presents a perfect pairing for light meals with its compelling flavor profile of fresh red fruit, hibiscus and dried rose petals.
Bringing the wines wines to Albertsons Cos. stores was a collaborative effort focused on customers. Albertsons Cos.’ Own Brands team, along with Mann, partnered with WX Brands , known for creating wine brands for global retailers, and Packamama , a climate tech packaging company committed to promoting a lower carbon future in the beverage industry, to develop Bee Lightly.
This new line of wines is distinguished by Packamama’s signature flat bottle design , made from recycled PET, a material that is 87% lighter than the material used for traditional glass bottles, and is recyclable. Packamama’s innovative flat packaging design has a smaller environmental footprint compared to conventional wine bottle shapes by reducing transportation related emissions, and the unique flat-pack shape also enhances logistic efficiency, enabling the transportation of nearly twice as many products on a single pallet. Bee Lightly in this Packamama bottle used 44% fewer pallets for shipping compared to standard glass bottles.
“The introduction of Bee Lightly into our Own Brands portfolio marks an innovative partnership and venture into wine packaging, highlighting our dedication to product quality and environmental stewardship,” said Brandon Brown, SVP of Own Brands at Albertsons Cos. “Additionally, we know that consumers today understand and recognize the quality and value that private label products can offer, which is why we’re pleased to unveil Bee Lightly premium wine varietals that deliver on quality and flavor at an affordable price.”
Bee Lightly joins Own Brands’ growing wine portfolio that includes Vinaforé , O Organics , Nadia , Quail Oak and Creamery wines.
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* Using a 100-point scale, a wine rated 90 points or higher by The Tasting Panel is deemed to be outstanding or excellent.
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Perricone Farms Acquires Natalie’s Orchard Island Juice Company
Perricone Farms, a premium craft juice company with deep roots in California’s citrus industry, has acquired Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company, an award-winning juice company based in Fort Pierce, Fla. The merger unites two of the highest quality and most trusted names in the juice industry, strengthens both brands, and enhances the ability to serve customers with excellence in quality and customer service coast-to-coast.
The combined company will be able to take advantage of bi-coastal production facilities, improve its delivery capabilities, expand product offerings, and leverage its additional scale to ensure juices reach customers with the same uncompromising quality they have come to know and love.
“We are excited to add Natalie’s to the Perricone Farms family. Natalie’s commitment to producing the highest quality products, combined with unmatched customer service, aligns with the core values we have been providing in the marketplace for years. Working together, we will be stronger and will be able to provide greater value to our customers,” said Bob Rovzar, CEO of Perricone Farms. “This exciting merger offers new opportunities for growth and expansion, including entrance into new markets, developing innovative products, and strengthening relationships with customers, suppliers, vendors, and partners. Together, Perricone Farms and Natalie’s are now better equipped to ensure the continued success and growth of both brands.”
Over the decades, Perricone Farms and Natalie’s Juices have become industry experts at procuring and producing the highest quality juices. By unifying these two entities, we strengthen our undisputed reputation for being the best premium juice provider in the food service and retail channel.
“The impressive growth that has driven the success behind the Natalie’s brand for the past 35 years has been built on the brand loyalty and relationships we have established with our customers and consumers. We are forever grateful for the opportunity to serve them with the nation’s best-tasting juice—not because it was our job, but because we loved doing it,” said Natalie’s CEO, Marygrace Sexton, who founded the award-winning juice company, named after her daughter, over 35 years ago. “We are excited for the future and the opportunities this partnership will provide our cherished Natalie’s family. Natalie’s has been built to last and will be providing you with authentic juices on a world-wide scale for generations to come.”
With the foundations for both companies built on a shared vision and values that have existed for generations, the combined company will remain devoted to a legacy that has been rooted in tradition and a commitment to exceeding expectations in quality and customer service.
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Ardagh Unveils 500ml Celebration Bottle
Ardagh Glass Packaging-North America, an operating business of Ardagh Group, introduced a new 500ml Celebration bottle in flint (clear) glass to add to its growing portfolio of American-made bottles.
The new 500ml (16.9oz) Celebration bottle is available initially in limited quantities for purchase on AGP-North America’s BOB site (BuyOurBottles). The bottle complements the existing 500ml Celebration in amber (brown) glass available from BOB’s collection of beer and beverage bottles.
Made using high-quality, traditional flint glass, designed and manufactured in the U.S., the bottles come pre-packaged in plain craft cardboard cases with partition dividers holding 12 glass bottles per case.
“Ardagh Glass Packaging continues to evolve its portfolio of American-made glass bottles on the BOB site to meet the demand of craft brewers and beverage producers,” said Rashmi Markan, vice president, beer & beverage for AGP-North America. “The new 500ml Celebration bottles in flint complement a wide variety of beverage brands who are interested in larger-format bottles, offering brand differentiation with a trusted, sustainable glass bottle that fully protects the flavor of their beverage.”
In 2012, AGP-North America launched the BOB site for beer – the first website to offer craft brewers the ability to purchase beer bottles online in pallet quantities, direct from the manufacturer, using a credit card or PayPal.
BOB’s portfolio now includes 11 beer and beverage bottles in both amber and flint glass color options, offering craft brewers and beverage producers increased flexibility for packaging their products.
AGP-North America and BOB are dedicated to the craft beer and beverage market with capabilities and resources to grow with craft brewers and beverage producers every stage of the way. For customers interested in purchasing bottles by the pallet, the BOB platform offers convenient online ordering, and payment via credit card or PayPal. For bottles in less than truckload (LTL) or truckload quantities, brewers can contact Ardagh directly at 636.299.5495 or marketing.glass.na@ardaghgroup.com.
To view Ardagh’s extensive glass beer bottle stock portfolio, which offers a variety of colors, sizes, styles and finishes all made in the U.S.A., visit ardaghgroup.com/beer2024.
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